Portrait of a Research Pioneer: Andrew Van de Ven

Research Summary: This article reviews the contributions of Andrew Van de Ven, a pioneer in the study of innovation, entrepreneurship, and corporate venturing. It articulates key themes in and findings from his research as well as the methodological and theoretical advances that he has introduced, shaping the development of the field. Embracing a broad view of entrepreneurship, his research has also fundamentally altered our understanding of the nature and processes of innovation and its implications for organizational learning, new business creation, and improved competitiveness. Van de Ven's fieldwork and engaged scholarship have made his findings powerful, rigorous, and relevant. The article also highlights the implications of Van de Ven's body of work for future research. Managerial Summary: Professor Andrew Van de Ven is a true pioneer in the processes involved in the conception, introduction, evaluation, adoption, and institutionalization of innovations in established companies. His seminal work highlights key challenges managers encounter in each of these stages, offering rich insights into the causes and consequences of these issues while suggesting important solutions to them. Van de Ven's work has also advanced novel ways of studying and tracking innovations over time. It has also explored the close link between innovation and corporate venturing activities, which are vital to organizational renewal and growth. Van de Ven's findings about the dynamics of organizational change and learning have altered our notions of organizational evolution and transformation.