Contextualising Entrepreneurial Activity: A Paradigm Shift in European Countries

Abstract

Given the heterogeneity and plasticity of the concept of entrepreneurship, it is crucial to change the paradigm that has prevailed in some European countries driven by necessity entrepreneurship. The proposed model can be used in some European countries to ensure that the entrepreneurial seed establishes sustainable roots rather than moving unexpectedly away from development. European countries with a similar or higher level of necessity-driven entrepreneurship to Portugal could take advantage of the proposed shift in the entrepreneurial paradigm. This implies countries making changes to policies related to the role of entrepreneurship in their sustainable development, potentially accelerated by EU’s 7-year budget and COVID-19 recovery package to minimise the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.