Социална вграденост на дребното предприемачество

Abstract

The book analyses the social embeddedness of economic action on the example of small entrepreneurship in Bulgaria in the post-socialist period from 1998 to 2008. The role of the small-scale entrepreneurs and their power in the market fields are assumed to substantially differ from that of the large businesses. The major objects of research are the small-scale owners of enterprises and the self-employed. The analysis is empirically based upon nine qualitative and quantitative sociological research studies. The research focuses on how the social structures of markets shape the entrepreneurial action which is interpreted in terms of its rationality, motivation and ethics. The social structures of markets are conceptualised through the social relations, belief systems and economic institutions. They create the social context of socio-structural (network), cultural and institutional embeddedness respectively as different forms of the entrepreneurial action’s social embeddedness. Theoretically, the major research thesis draws on the assumption that these three forms are tightly intertwined. Entrepreneurial action cannot be understood if – in accordance with the traditional treatment – it is considered as merely structurally, culturally, or institutionally embedded. Hence, an integrated theoretical approach is developed as a synergy from network, culturalist and new institutionalist approaches in contemporary economic sociology. Empirically, this approach is verified by studying: (1) the social relations of the small entrepreneurs in Bulgaria with their employees, competitors, suppliers, clients and official authorities; (2) the culturally determined cognitive frames which guide those relations, and make the agreements between actors possible; (3) the institution of contract between the market participants which is understood as a totality of institutionalised conventions and practices. The main research thesis is that there is no single legitimate model of entrepreneurial action (as related to its rationality, motivation and ethics) in Bulgaria. Depending on the levels and specificity of the multiple social embeddedness one can find in the post-socialist capitalism mixed patterns of entrepreneurial action as socially legitimate modes. They vary between profit and consumption maximisation, profit- and rent-seeking, opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship. Duality is the typical feature of the post-socialist small-scale entrepreneurship.