An Examination of the Power of the Dark Side of Entrepreneurship
AN EXAMINATION OF THE POWER OF THE
DARK SIDE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Frank S. Lockwood, Western Carolina University
Russell Teasley, North Georgia College and State University
JoAnn C. Carland, Western Carolina University
James W. Carland, Western Carolina University
ABSTRACT
"Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side!" Luke Skywalker learned that lesson well in a galaxy far, far away and long, long ago, but modern entrepreneurship theorists may be less well informed than the characters in Star Wars. Like the “Force,” Entrepreneurship is a tremendous power for good. But, like the “Force,” Entrepreneurship does have a Dark Side and it is powerful, indeed. With rare exceptions, the literature about entrepreneurship is positive and supportive and implies that uniform benefits accrue to the economy, to businesses, and to individuals as a result of entrepreneurship. This is only half the story. A small number of researchers have examined the dysfunctional aspects of entrepreneurship and pointed out that a Dark Side definitely exists (Kets de Vries, 1985; Solomon & Winslow, 1988; Winslow & Solomon, 1987; 1989). This paper will look at those who turned to the Dark Side for their very existence. The authors have surveyed prisoners who have been convicted of a felony and who are serving sentences in a Federal Prison in the Midwest. The participants were enrolled in a continuing education course involving entrepreneurship and small business startup ideas and they all espoused a desire to “go straight” when their sentences had been served. How did they become criminals? Did they view their criminal activities as entrepreneurial ventures? Will they become legitimate entrepreneurs in the future? Can entrepreneurship education alleviate the problems faced by these offenders when released and is there a greater or lesser chance of recidivism when these inmates are given the opportunity to study entrepreneurship while still incarcerated? If they
DARK SIDE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Frank S. Lockwood, Western Carolina University
Russell Teasley, North Georgia College and State University
JoAnn C. Carland, Western Carolina University
James W. Carland, Western Carolina University
ABSTRACT
"Never underestimate the power of the Dark Side!" Luke Skywalker learned that lesson well in a galaxy far, far away and long, long ago, but modern entrepreneurship theorists may be less well informed than the characters in Star Wars. Like the “Force,” Entrepreneurship is a tremendous power for good. But, like the “Force,” Entrepreneurship does have a Dark Side and it is powerful, indeed. With rare exceptions, the literature about entrepreneurship is positive and supportive and implies that uniform benefits accrue to the economy, to businesses, and to individuals as a result of entrepreneurship. This is only half the story. A small number of researchers have examined the dysfunctional aspects of entrepreneurship and pointed out that a Dark Side definitely exists (Kets de Vries, 1985; Solomon & Winslow, 1988; Winslow & Solomon, 1987; 1989). This paper will look at those who turned to the Dark Side for their very existence. The authors have surveyed prisoners who have been convicted of a felony and who are serving sentences in a Federal Prison in the Midwest. The participants were enrolled in a continuing education course involving entrepreneurship and small business startup ideas and they all espoused a desire to “go straight” when their sentences had been served. How did they become criminals? Did they view their criminal activities as entrepreneurial ventures? Will they become legitimate entrepreneurs in the future? Can entrepreneurship education alleviate the problems faced by these offenders when released and is there a greater or lesser chance of recidivism when these inmates are given the opportunity to study entrepreneurship while still incarcerated? If they