Twenty-First-Century Entrepreneurs

Chapter Objectives

The aims of this chapter are to assist the reader to:

• understand that only a limited proportion of entrepreneurial successes stem from innovative disruption
• recognise small firm entrepreneurs can often succeed because their large firm competitors are inflexible
• comprehend new technologies offer possibly the greatest opportunities for entrepreneurs during the twenty-first century
• realise the scale of technological success is ultimately determined by market demand from both existing and potential, new customers
• understand innovation success consists of factors such as response of firms using current, dominant sector technology, economic conditions and socio-demographic change
• accept the most significant entrepreneurial opportunities exist by solving major world problems
• realise small firm entrepreneurs are already enjoying success in the field of sustainable energy
• understand developing nation entrepreneurs are already successfully challenging the big pharmaceutical ...