Bricolage, effectuation, and causation shifts over time in the context of social entrepreneurship

Abstract

In response to recent calls for contributions on the singular processes of social entrepreneurship, this paper examines how the combination of causation, effectuation, and bricolage changes over a particular venture’s life cycle. It also analyses the factors responsible for such shifts in the approach. Using a longitudinal case study of a Colombian foundation, the behaviours underlying the three theories and their alternations are analysed at three different periods in the case’s entrepreneurial process: its emergence, growth and replication. The analysis provides insight into the activities that require a causation approach and those that need bricolage or effectuation. We also highlight the implications for practice.

Keywords:

• Social entrepreneurship
• bricolage
• effectuation
• causation

Acknowledgements

We thank ERD Special Issue Guest Editors Professor Alain Fayolle and Professor Frank Janssen and the two anonymous reviewers for their helpful guidance and advice throughout the review process. We also thank the Tiempo de Juego Foundation for facilitating field access. Finally, we thank Ana María Cabrales for her support in the data analysis as a research assistant.