Organizational Entrepreneurship as Projective Action

This article applies sociological action theory to model collective accomplishment of novel outcomes through coordinated and planned processes. The theoretical model provides a collaborative social perspective on the emergence of novelty and innovation in organizations. According to the model, individuals form projections of the future by recombining and adjusting existing institutionalized habits and knowledge. Resulting projections are shared through entrepreneurial narratives that may become institutionalized, thereby directing and coordinating actions. Although projections of the future influence intention and action, they are reflected upon and altered through an experimental learning process. Implications for power and creativity in organizational change are discussed. The revival of action frame of reference for a more humanistic research approach is suggested.