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"Branson, Richard"
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Traversing the fantasy of the heroic entrepreneur
Purpose
While considerable critical energy has been devoted to unmasking the figure of the heroic entrepreneur, the idea that entrepreneurs are unique individuals with special abilities continues to be widespread in scholarly research, social media and popular culture. The purpose of this paper is to traverse the fantasy of the heroic entrepreneur by offering a reading of Richard Branson’s autobiography, Losing My Virginity.
Design/methodology/approach
The theoretical approach of this paper is informed by Slavoj Žižek’s concept of fantasy and his critical analytical strategy of “traversing the fantasy”. Žižek offers a theoretical framework that allows us to understand how narratives of famous entrepreneurs create paradoxical fantasies that produce desire.
Findings
By offering a reading of Richard Branson’s autobiography, Losing My Virginity, this paper serves to illustrate how the fantasy of the heroic entrepreneur creates the injunction to overcome oneself and become true to oneself, but also how this figure is ridden with contradictions and impossibilities. Branson’s book will eventually be shown to be a religious narrative, where the entrepreneur is responsible for redeeming the crises not only of the economy, but of being as such.
Originality/value
Rather than striving towards a processual approach that lays emphasis on the collective effort involved in entrepreneurship, this paper critically engages directly with the heroic entrepreneur by exploring how this figure is a fantasy that structures desire. This paper shows how critical entrepreneurship studies could benefit from an approach that analyses how the cultural representation of business celebrates the heroic entrepreneur as a source of value creation. The authors further argue that it is the contradictions and impossibilities embodied in the figure of the heroic entrepreneur that carry its far-reaching appeal.
Journal Article
Who’s the boss?
PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his/her own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsWhen it comes to leadership styles, people invariably think of “who” rather than “how.” If, for example, a leader adopts a charismatic style, they then become synonymous with that style, or are compared with someone famous with a similar way of leading, such as Sir Richard Branson. This can be problematic, however, for a number of reasons. Firstly, while Branson has a high media profile and comes across on TV as charismatic, few people know if this is actually his leadership style in the Virgin group of companies he owns. And secondly, what is actually meant by charismatic leadership and what its strengths and weaknesses are get lost in the focus on personality.Practical implicationsThis paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Journal Article
Richard Branson Chats About The Challenges Of His Life, His Connection To The Royals, His Key To Success
Richard Branson, I think it must be my mum. See, she was -- sorry. I've been talking too much. She was incredibly supportive, and always trying to push us to get out and achieve things rather than to. You know, she was a great believer and we weren't allowed to watch television. We had to just be out. We have to be out doing things, creating adventures. I think, and I'm obviously incredibly grateful to her for taking that approach. I mean, today, she might have got arrested, but in those days, you'd say, you know, get on this bicycle, you know, at age seven ride, you know, 300 miles to Granny's house. GUESTS: Richard Branson
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