Peer review

Innovation and entrepreneurship are based on new combinations, constructed within social networks. The literature on social networks refers to Schumpeter’s analysis of new combinations, but is limited in its use of his understanding of the range of innovations and long-term aspects of entrepreneurship. Using the case of Josiah Wedgwood, a quintessential Schumpeterian entrepreneur, this article analyses how social networks contribute to a broad range of innovations over an extended period, involving both strong and weak ties. It shows how social network research in innovation and entrepreneurship benefits from Schumpeterian insights on the wide forms of innovation and longer term influences on network structures.

Text in English