Advancing entrepreneurial alertness: Review, synthesis, and future research directions

Abstract

Alertness is increasingly associated with entrepreneurial opportunities. However, ambiguity in the conceptualization and operationalization of the construct have limited its potential and utility for entrepreneurship research. Given the variations in treatment of alertness, we investigate the concept as it is currently evolving in entrepreneurship scholarship. With this examination, we bring to the forefront inconsistencies and emerging trends regarding the nomological alignment and measurement of alertness. This review and synthesis of alertness research clarifies conceptual inconsistencies stemming from its Kirznerian roots and offers a framework with agenda for entrepreneurial alertness research. This agenda includes the application of entrepreneurial alertness to the opportunity creation paradigm.