For Researchers

The task of science is to develop a solid knowledge base that informs practice to become more effective and efficient (Frese, Bausch, Schmidt, Rauch, & Kabst, 2012). However, in entrepreneurship (Frese et al., 2012) and related fields like management (Rousseau, 2006) there is a large gap between scientific knowledge and what is put into practice. Evidence-based entrepreneurship (EBE) seeks to close this gap by pursuing “science-informed practice of entrepreneurship” (Frese, Rousseau, & Wiklund, 2014, p. 209). Science-informed practice leads to better decisions, successful long-term strategies, and well-informed policy-making (Rousseau, 2006). In the 8th Leuphana Conference on Entrepreneurship we are interested in research related to the key aspects of EBE:

1. EBE requires the generation of robust evidence. In order for the entrepreneurship field to move forward, we need to gather robust evidence to answer our theoretical questions. Randomized controlled experiments can provide high-quality evidence for interventions that effectively promote entrepreneurship (Frese et al., 2014). Further, longitudinal studies, in particular panel studies and longitudinal narrative studies, are crucial to study processes that unfold over time (Frese et al., 2014).
2. EBE requires the summary of evidence. The best way to build a solid knowledge base is to systematically review what we know (Frese et al., 2014). Quantitative meta-analysis is a useful method to get evidence on the size of a conceptualized relationship and assess factors that influence this relationship (Rauch & Frese, 2006). Systematic synthesis of qualitative case studies is a way to accumulate knowledge from qualitative research (Rauch, van Doorn, & Hulsink, 2014).
3. EBE requires the translation of evidence into practice. Until now, textbooks seldom teach evidence-based entrepreneurship, case studies rarely consider that decision-making can be facilitated by evidence, and business schools often focus more on general skills instead of educating students to use scientific evidence (Pittaway and Cope, 2007; Rousseau, 2006). New methods for implementing evidence-based thinking into education and policy-making are necessary to bridge the knowledge-doing gap (Pfeffer and Sutton, 2013)

However, not all evidence leads to sound knowledge creation. Inadequate evidence sources, weak evidence collection methods, poor selection of evidence, and inadequate generalization of evidence, can all lead to questionable research outcomes. Thus, we also need to critically question the efficacy of evidence-based research.

We invite papers that contribute to the promotion of evidence-based entrepreneurship. Purely conceptual papers are as welcome as theory-driven empirical work applying qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. A variety of perspectives is appreciated to advance evidence-based entrepreneurship. Possible topics include:

• Robust evidence in terms of randomized controlled trials, (large) longitudinal studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative meta-analyses
• Ways to promote evidence-based entrepreneurship
• Controversies in evidence-based entrepreneurship
• Critical perspectives on evidence-based entrepreneurship
• Translating evidence into practices
• Innovative educational approaches to evidence-based entrepreneurship
• Influence of evidence-based entrepreneurship on economic development
• Policy-making in entrepreneurship based on evidence
• Alternatives to evidence-based research