J BUSN RES 1991:23:21-36 zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihg 21 Entrepreneurship as a Significant Factor in Societal Quality of Life Michael H. Morris Pamela S. Lewis University of Central Florida This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurship and societal qual- ity of life by examining both the functional and dysfunctional effects of entrepre- neurship on seven major components of societal quality of life. A framework for further theory development and hypothesis testing concerning the entrepreneur- ship/quality of life interface is presented and discussed. Key research issues are identified based on this framework. Introduction Although the term “entrepreneurship” has been around for centuries, the attention given the area in recent years is virtually unprecedented. Not only is there a general recognition of the valuable contributions made by the small business sector to the economy, but there is also a growing emphasis on the need for an entrepreneurial orientation in companies of all sizes and types (e.g., Bird, 1989; Brandt, 1986; Kao, 1989; Peters, 1988; Pinchot, 1985). Underlying the current popularity of entrepreneurship among academics, policy makers, and business professionals is the inherent assumption that entrepreneurship is a societal good whose benefits far outweigh any costs. In fact, some would go so far as to suggest that entrepreneurship represents the principle solution to prob- lems in product quality, productivity, and declining competitiveness afflicting American industry (e.g., Enis, 1987; Drucker, 1985; Gilder, 1988; Waterman, 1987). At the same time, there have been a number of criticisms leveled at the entre- preneurial function. Most of these have originated from within the discipline of economics (e.g., Hebert and Link, 1988; Macdonald, 1971; Schumpeter, 1934; Tuttle, 1927). Recently, however, additional questions regarding dysfunctional aspects of entrepreneurship have issued from the corporate sector (d’Arbeloff and VanVeen, 1986; Ferguson, 1988; Reich, 1987). The purpose of the present study is to more formally and systematically assess Address correspondence to Michael H. Morris, Department of Marketing. University of Central Florida. Orlando, FL 32816. Journal of Business Research 23, 21-36 (1991) 0 1991 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc. 0148-2963/91/$3.50 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York. NY 10010