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Abstract:

By examining the development of a Finnish family business founder “AL”, the paper describes his process from a habitual (serial) intrapreneur to an owner-manager of a family firm The time horizon is nearly 70 years. Our special focus is on how AL has coped over time with resource deficiencies by thinking and acting in an entrepreneurially resourceful way. With this case study we seek an answer to the question: ‘What coping strategies did our case entrepreneur AL show in his development from a habitual (serial) intrapreneur to a family business owner-manager?’ With this case study we couple in a tentative model entrepreneurial resourcefulness with coping strategies deployed when confronted with resource constraints. Knowledge of coping strategies can provide valuable information for entrepreneurs confronted with resource constraints in times of economic crisis. It may also offer us pathways to strengthening our businesses’ competitiveness and offer further insight in the essence of intra- and entrepreneurship.