Dark and Destructive? Configurations of Negative Ends and Means in Entrepreneurship Research

The dark side of entrepreneurship is endemic, yet lacks depth. We use a configural approach to first identify and then actively categorize key dimensions surfaced by prior studies across disciplines. Our systematic literature review derives and describes five configurations, which we label creative, forced, episodic, re-allocative, and magnetic. We use convenience theory to synthesize and consolidate these five forms into a coherent conceptual framework. Working within and between these five forms can advance the research agenda on the dark side by drawing our attention to the different trigger, tensions and mechanisms that precipitate the destruction rather than the creation of value.