Warp and Weft in Grounded Theory: A Metaphor for a Withness Approach to Entrepreneurship Research

Abstract

Processual approaches to entrepreneurship have increasingly captured researchers’ interest. One such approach that tries to understand entrepreneurs in real time by looking with them, not at them, has been termed withness (Shotter, 2006). But how does one design a study that captures this experience of living in the flow? In this methodological reflection, we propose using the metaphor of warp and weft to think of grounded theory research designs that seek to approximate withness. To this end, we also reflect on our experience studying the unfolding processes in international new ventures and highlight the usefulness of multiple data collection instruments, notably diaries and interviews.

Citation

Schmidt, H.M. and Santamaria-Alvarez, S.M. (2023), "Warp and Weft in Grounded Theory: A Metaphor for a Withness Approach to Entrepreneurship Research", Higgins, D., Brentnall, C., Jones, P. and McGowan, P. (Ed.) Nurturing Modalities of Inquiry in Entrepreneurship Research: Seeing the World Through the Eyes of Those Who Research (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, Vol. 17), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 187-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-724620230000017012