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Expert and entrepreneur: the unique research domain of professional service entrepreneurs

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Abstract

Professionals are knowledge experts who create customized solutions for clients. Many professionals practice in the context of strong professional institutions that prescribe intense socialization and codes and norms. While some professionals work as employees, many start their own firms in order to practice. Firm start-up for professionals is more prevalent than for most other occupations. While professional institutions often constraint their activities, firm start-up for professional service entrepreneurs (PSEs) involves similar entrepreneurial activities as other entrepreneurs, creating an interesting paradox worth investigating. This paper explores the uniqueness of PSEs and the firms they start, and the distinctiveness and value of research in the context of PSEs and professional service firms.

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  1. Department of Management, Georgia Southern University, P.O. Box 8151, Statesboro, GA, 30461, USA

    Steven A. Stewart

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  1. Steven A. Stewart
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Stewart, S.A. Expert and entrepreneur: the unique research domain of professional service entrepreneurs. Int Entrep Manag J 14, 615–626 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-018-0516-5

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