Classifying entrepreneurs

• General approaches to classifying entrepreneurs:

–        ‘classical’ approach (craftsmen; opportunist – independence/growth orientated);

–        Webster’s approach (Cantillon; industry maker; administrative (intrapreneur); small-business owner);

–        Landau’s approach (gambler; consolidator; dreamer; ‘true entrepreneur).

• Sector and regionally specific classification (by way of examples):

–        Jones-Evans’  classification of technical entrepreneurs (research; producer; user; opportunist);

–        Wai-Sum Sui’s classification of Chinese entrepreneurs (senior citizen; workaholic; swingers; idealists; high flyers).

• Classification is a tool to aid understanding, not a rigid category that entrepreneurs must be shoehorned into.