The Theory of Entrepreneurship Becoming as an Analytical Framework: Towards an Integrative Conceptual Model

Abstract Purpose Entrepreneurship research remains challenged by the lack of a unified theoretical paradigm, often divided between micro-level analyses of individual entrepreneurial agency and macro-level examinations of structural influences. While these perspectives provide valuable insights, they have largely been pursued in isolation, resulting in fragmented understandings of entrepreneurial phenomena. This paper aims to address this gap by developing an integrative, meta-theoretical framework that conceptualizes entrepreneurship as a dynamic process of becoming, shaped by the continuous interplay between entrepreneurial agency and structural conditions within entrepreneurial ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach The paper employed a meta-theoretical analysis, drawing from theoretical bases outside the management sciences (Sztompka’s and Giddens’ theories of society) to explore entrepreneurship as a phenomenon in constant transformation and an indissoluble fusion of individual and structural factors. Findings Combining Sztompka’s social becoming approach with Giddens’ structuration theory, the study advances a processual and relational perspective that transcends the traditional micro-macro duality, offering new avenues for empirical research and a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship as an unfolding social phenomenon. Practical implications The results emphasize the importance of an integrated approach to entrepreneurship, providing a deeper understanding of its nature and dynamics as the interplay between individual and structural factors. This can help entrepreneurs, managers, and policymakers make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to capitalize on existing opportunities and create new ones. Originality/value The paper contributes a novel meta-theoretical framework that conceptualizes entrepreneurship as a processual and relational phenomenon embedded within a broader social context. Drawing on Giddens’ theory of structuration and Sztompka’s theory of social becoming, the study bridges the traditionally polarized domains of individual agency and structural constraints in entrepreneurship research. The proposed model, comprising two interrelated processes – integration and endorsement – offers a comprehensive lens for empirically engaging with entrepreneurial dynamics, thereby advancing theoretical understanding beyond the prevailing micro-macro duality.