ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to conceptualise a framework which aids in assessing the development of entrepreneurship in Europe’s peripheries. This framework has two parts. There is a descriptive typology of peripheries conceptualised by Arzeni et al. (2002). The second part presents resource structures aimed at assessing the peripheries’ potential for supporting entrepreneurship as theorised by Shane (2003) and Verheul et al. (2001). These structures affect the supply and demand of entrepreneurship. Those affecting entrepreneurship supply include a nation’s policies, economy, institutions and industrial structure. Those affecting the demand for entrepreneurship include socio-cultural characteristics and the capabilities of individuals. When these resource structures are assessed against a specific periphery, what emerges is a picture of where development intervention ought to take place and where resource structures are strong and should be left alone. This presents the opportunity to provide tailored entrepreneurship development programmes where previously a one-size-fits-all approach had been taken – with disappointing results (North and Smallbone, 2006).
