Habitus Reshaping through the Search for Entrepreneurial Legitimacy in the High Velocity Field

Abstract

Using the conceptual peculiarity of Bourdieu's theory,
in this paper we aim to provide a new theoretical
contribution to the understanding of the relational
dynamics of legitimation in entrepreneurship. In-depth,
contextual examination of entrepreneurs in 70 companies
in the computer programming industry was
carried out to determine how legitimation practices
are shaped in relation to the dynamics of the relationship
between entrepreneurs and the social structure.
We base the methodological strength of the research
on the rigour of the grounded theory method, using
multiple data sources and data collection techniques
(in-depth interviews, observations, and qualitative and
quantitative secondary data). Our results reveal that
susceptibility to hysteresis of habitus is what strongly
defines the directions of the search for legitimation. By
elucidating them, we show the natural coexistence of
entrepreneur profiles of conflicting legitimation strategies,
while also contributing to the understanding of shaping
the entrepreneurial habitus in the high velocity field.