In Pursuit of Impact: From Research Questions to Problem Formulation in Entrepreneurship Research

In this paper, we address recent calls to increase the societal relevance of entrepreneurship research. We explore how researchers and practitioners work together in formulation a research problem for impact. Leveraging process-tracing, analyzed six projects, from early conceptualization publication, all part Journal Business Venturing Insights’ Entrepreneurship Rapid Response Research Initiative. made two discoveries, as it pertains problems First, found four critical change dimensions, along which problem, conducive impact, evolves throughout process: worthiness, divisibility, centrality, specificity. Second, equifinal pathways impact-oriented research: curiosity-driven challenge-based. These are marked by drivers project, timing involvement practitioner, interactions between actors, sequence dimensions formulation. Our study contributes theorizing process, not point time, hence intertwined with solutions, making process consequential. also offer concrete implications scholars wanting engage that impacts practice.