Question

Isn’t "corporate entrepreneurship" an oxymoron? Do the characteristics of an established organization, such as its routines and structure, increase efficiency but at the same time kill any entrepreneurial spirit? Is there any way that a company can have the best of both worlds?

Answer 1

Answer:

Isn’t "corporate entrepreneurship" an oxymoron?

I guess that most people would believe that corporations and entrepreneurs and completely opposite, and for the most part they are right. But some corporations actually do have entrepreneurial spirit or at least try to. E.g. 3M is famous for allowing their employees some creative time so that they can come up with new ideas. Google is another example of a large corporation that allows for creative time while at work.

Do the characteristics of an established organization, such as its routines and structure, increase efficiency but at the same time kill any entrepreneurial spirit?

Routines, schedules and corporate structure not only kill, but they rather massacre and exterminate entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. One great example of how corporations do not allow people to think or act differently can be seen in the movie about Ford competing in Le Mans.

Is there any way that a company can have the best of both worlds?

I guess that it is difficult, but not impossible for a company to have corporate entrepreneurship. The problem is that corporations will probably believe that it is a waste of money to pay for their employees to do nothing and just wander around thinking about new ideas. Creativity has a cost and not everyone is willing to pay for it.