De Gruyter Handbook of Sociology of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The number of organization theorists and sociologists studying innovation and entrepreneurship has grown rapidly over the past two decades, yet it has been roughly 15 years since any volume has attempted a comprehensive review of the state of the literature.

In addition to having grown rapidly, the sociological literatures on entrepreneurship and innovation have evolved relatively independently. However, there are intellectual synergies to be gained in connecting these two literatures. A large share of innovation happens in the context of startups and a large share of startups pursue innovation through the commercialization of products and services.

Featuring engaging contributions from leading scholars in the field, the De Gruyter Handbook of Sociology of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a must-have and up-to-date summary of the literatures on the sociology of entrepreneurship and innovation. It is a comprehensive reference work, highlighting emerging areas and cutting-edge research, while also providing a vibrant agenda that empowers scholars and students to generate new ideas and knowledge.

• The first handbook to integrate sociology and entrepreneurship
• A comprehensive and up-to-date summary of the literature
• Highlights emerging areas and cutting-edge research
• Sets a vibrant agenda for future research

Olav Sorenson is the Joseph Jacobs Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies, Faculty Director of the Price Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Professor of Strategy and of Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his A.B. from Harvard College and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Aalborg University and received the 2018 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research.

Patricia H. Thornton is Grand Challenge Faculty, Professor of Sociology and Entrepreneurship, and Faculty Fellow at the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Bush Public Policy School, Texas A&M University, USA, and Senior Research Fellow, Strategy and Business Policy, Society and Organizations Institute, HEC, France. She received the W. Richard Scott award from the American Sociological Association and the George R. Terry award from the Academy of Management for her pioneering research on institutional logics. She received her PhD from Stanford University.

"A tome worth its weight in gold. The most comprehensive overview of theory and research on the sociology of innovation and entrepreneurship you can find, written by leading analysts who are not afraid to go deep in their thinking. For scholars, executives, policy makers and students of every level who want to expand their minds."
Glenn R. Carroll, Adams Distinguished Professor of Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-author, Making Great Strategy: Arguing for Organizational Advantage

"This important new Handbook provides a coherent and compelling set of key insights garnered from the striking inroads made by organization theorists and sociologists in understanding innovation and entrepreneurship. The high level of both scholarship and relevance makes the book essential reading to anyone interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Handbook finds that rare sweet spot between reflecting on the significance of the most salient theories and findings in the extant literature and boldly positing new directions and ideas driving the future research agenda."
David Audretsch, Distinguished Professor and Ameritech Chair of Economic Development, Indiana University

"A tour de force! This impressive volume deepens the overlooked connections between entrepreneurship and innovation – phenomena often separated in research but strongly overlapped in practice. Smart, timely, comprehensive."
Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, SW Ascherman Professor of Strategy and Organization, Stanford University. 　

"As entrepreneurship and innovation have become more central to business and public policy, sociologists have increasingly focused on these phenomena. These chapters summarize their insights in a clear and well-organized way, as well as areas that remain unclear. This book will be of interest both to sociologists interested in the state of knowledge in their field on these important topics and scholars in adjacent fields (e.g., economics) eager to learn from their peers."
Josh Lerner, Jacob H. Schiff Professor, Harvard Business School