The theory and practice of entrepreneurship: frontiers in European entrepreneurship research.

Abstract

Welcome to the fi fth RENT anthology, a collection of the best papers presented at the 22nd RENT Conference which was hosted by the University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal. This anthology was compiled following a rigorous academic review process that equates with that employed by the top academic journals. It off ers the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB) the opportunity to showcase the exciting research that is being undertaken across Europe while giving academic recognition to those whose work is featured in the publication. The high quality of the papers in this year’s anthology represents further the successful decision taken by the Board of the ECSB at the beginning of the millennium to establish a thorough review process for conference submissions, which allows only the better abstracts to be accepted. The relatively low rates of acceptance that followed on a yearly basis have occasionally caused disquiet, but the high standard of papers continually being delivered at RENT conferences has received widespread approval. These high standards have also ensured that the fl agship event of the organization accurately represents the work of the ECSB more broadly in terms of its signifi cant contribution to the enhanced quantity and quality of entrepreneurship research found in Europe today.