We empirically explore the process of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) through the conceptual lens of effectuation, a theory describing how entrepreneurs innovate. In particular, we investigate how endogenous innovations emerge and evolve into new products or services. The study thus provides an alternative perspective to most CE research that assumes a causation or rational-analytic approach to innovation. We implement a qualitative, multi-case study research design with corporate innovation projects as the level of analysis. Data are from interviews as well as secondary sources and were analyzed using within and cross case analysis. Findings reveal organic stages through which ideas are shaped into viable products. Findings show important effectuation principles at work including stakeholder commitments, affordable loss thinking, and a focus on control instead of prediction. Interestingly, findings illustrate how effectuation may differ in the corporate as compared to the new venture context. Implications for the wider literature are discussed along with limitations of the research design.

中文翻译：

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发展内源性创新：企业创业与成就

我们通过实现的概念镜头从经验上探索公司企业家精神（CE）的过程，这是描述企业家如何创新的理论。特别是，我们调查了内源性创新是如何出现并发展为新产品或服务的。因此，该研究为大多数CE研究提供了一种替代观点，这些研究假设了创新的因果关系或理性分析方法。我们以企业创新项目为分析水平，实施定性，多案例研究设计。数据来自访谈以及次要来源，并使用内部和跨案例分析进行了分析。研究结果揭示了有机的阶段，通过这些阶段可以将创意转化为可行的产品。研究结果显示了重要的实现原则，包括利益相关者的承诺，可承受的损失思维，并专注于控制而不是预测。有趣的是，研究结果表明，与新的合资企业相比，企业的绩效可能有何不同。讨论了对更广泛文献的影响以及研究设计的局限性。