Salesmen or scholars? A critical examination of research scholarship in the field of entrepreneurship

This chapter critically reviews the historical roots underlying the epistemology of entre - preneurship scholarship. The objective is to stimulate vigorous academic debate regarding scholarly openness in our paradigm of entrepreneurship – an intellectual activity essential for a successful entrepreneurship conference, and for scholarship to progress. The chapter examines the normative field level legitimacy and beliefs related to tenure and the peer review system in entrepreneurship, leading to the legitimacy of certain commonly used research methodologies. It is not based on data, but on my personal impressions. I conclude with a call for replication studies, greater diversity and for cross-field level programming regarding the trends and future of entrepreneurship scholarship.