CFP for Issue 5.2

Call for Papers: A Special Issue of Global Storytelling: Journal of Digital and Moving Images 5.2 (Winter 2025)

Special Issue on Entrepreneurship and Visual Storytelling

 

Special Issue Editors: Prof. Dr. Erick Behar-Villegas (Berlin International University of Applied Sciences, Tecnológico de Monterrey) & Prof. Víctor M. Jiménez-Rodríguez (Tecnológico de Monterrey)
 

 

Introduction

In a world flooded with information, using the power of storytelling can help create connections between different actors in society (Slingerland et al., 2023), whether it is individuals, communities or organizations. One of these actors is the entrepreneur, who in a way, operates as a storyteller that is able to create value and transform society.

 

In this context, visual storytelling emerges as a powerful tool for entrepreneurs to connect with audiences, communicate value propositions, and foster brand identity. At the same time, visual storytelling can act as a powerful and alluring tool to understand what entrepreneurs go through, more commonly known as the entrepreneurial journey.

 

Entrepreneurs are essentially storytellers, yet they are also agents of change that transform reality in ways that deserve to be represented. They navigate uncertain environments that often require repurposing their original ideas and therefore, the story they tell their surroundings (Behar-Villegas, Goh, Horowitt, 2024). Entrepreneurial journeys and their dynamic production of artifacts, whether it is products, services, concepts, new realities, etc, also have a visual dimension that sheds light on the character, setting and plot of each story. In entrepreneurship, the ability to craft compelling and visually engaging stories is essential for generating impact, attracting investment, building strong communities, and achieving success. For example, the use of an explainer video by one of Dropbox’s co-founders in 2007 helped users understand its functionalities in less than three minutes, while AirBnB’s use of storyboards inspired by Snow White helped develop its user experience (Kessler, 2012). 

 

What is entrepreneurship?

Understanding entrepreneurship involves understanding its different phases, modalities, and contexts, including its heterogeneity and differences between ventures and entrepreneurs (Welter et. al, 2017). This diversity is reflected in the academic debate, where there are two main currents regarding its definition.

 

One perspective focuses on business creation and monetary development, while the other emphasizes the use of opportunities and the creation of value (Dees, 2011). However, definitions of entrepreneurship over the years converge on some key points: the search for opportunities, innovation and change, the creation of value, and the dynamic nature of its process.

 

Entrepreneurship can be understood as a dynamic process of innovation and change, where the entrepreneur acts as a key agent in "creative destruction" (Schumpeter, 1934), introducing new combinations of products, production methods, and organizational structures that transform markets. For his part, Israel Kirzner (1973) contributes to this understanding by pointing out that the entrepreneur is an individual who is alert to market opportunities that others have not perceived, playing an essential role in competition and market equilibrium.

 

This same process not only involves the creation of new companies, but also innovation within existing organizations, known as intrapreneurship (Pinchot III, 1985). Peter Drucker (1985) also stressed the importance of the systematic search for opportunities to exploit changes in the environment. In addition, Howard Stevenson (1990) expanded this vision by describing entrepreneurship as the continuous search for opportunities, regardless of the resources that the entrepreneur controls at that time.

 

In line with this, Shane & Venkataraman (2000) define entrepreneurship as the process by which opportunities to create future goods and services are discovered, evaluated and exploited, highlighting the interaction between the existence of opportunities and individuals capable of taking advantage of them. From a more recent perspective, Sarasvathy & Venkataraman (2011) describe entrepreneurship as a process based on the logic of causality and effectuation, where entrepreneurs use available knowledge and opportunities to create a path towards an uncertain future. It is a process of discovery in which entrepreneurs explore alternatives and learn while creating their business.

 

For the purpose of this Call for Papers, we will understand entrepreneurship from the following definition: Entrepreneurship is a dynamic and continuous process where entrepreneurs, as agents of change, identify, evaluate and exploit opportunities to innovate, create value and transform environments. This process includes the creation of new companies, innovation within existing organizations and social transformation, creatively using available resources and adapting to an uncertain environment.

 

A note on the entrepreneurial Journey

The entrepreneurial journey is a concept that describes the entire process that an entrepreneur goes through from the conception of an idea to the creation, growth and consolidation of a business. This process is dynamic, non-linear, and full of challenges, successes and failures. The entrepreneur goes through several key stages, which may include the identification of opportunities, the planning and development of the idea, the launch of the business, its growth, and eventually the maturity and consolidation of the company. Different authors have addressed this journey, highlighting various stages within the entrepreneurial process (Aldrich, 1999; Churchill et al.,1983; Reynolds & White, 1997; Gartner, 1985).

 

In particular, Churchill (1983) details the entrepreneurial journey by dividing it into five stages: existence, survival, success (disengagement or growth), take-off and resource maturity. In this call for papers, contributors are invited to explore how visual storytelling can be integrated into any of these entrepreneurial stages.

 

Visual Storytelling meets entrepreneurship

In its essence, visual storytelling is about visualizing narrated stories. Whether it is contributing to making stimuli more attractive or cognitively easier to approach and assimilate, the power of visualization can take an essential role when it comes to the context of entrepreneurship. There are visual “dimensions” to the juxtaposition of storytelling and starting up a business: the entrepreneurial story can be illustrated in multiple ways; visuals can play role in the essence of a business, even in the core of its business model (consider the example of the creative industries); entrepreneurs can make sense of their situation through visualization, whether it is about their one life journey or a concrete project.

 

Mayr & Windhager (2018), who write in an entrepreneurship context, refer to visual storytelling as narrative visualization. The stories that are told, whether it is by, about, for or through entrepreneurs, can be visualized in the diverse scope offered by art and technology. Whether it is generative AI for static or dynamic visuals or street art, there is a dense network of methods that help illustrate, among other things, the entrepreneurial journey. 

 

Addressing a growing literature gap

Despite the increasing interest in visual storytelling within different areas of knowledge, academic research on its specific application in the entrepreneurial field remains limited (cf. Behar-Villegas et al., 2024). While recent research has begun to explore the intersection of storytelling and entrepreneurship, the specific role of visual storytelling remains largely unexplored territory. Studies have examined how entrepreneurs craft narratives that include the entrepreneur himself and their stakeholders (Fleck et al., 2024) and mobilize resources (Fisher et al., 2021). Others have explored the use of cultural narratives for legitimation and resource acquisition (Lounsbury & Glynn, 2001) and the influence of narrative strategies on entrepreneurial outcomes throughout the entrepreneurial journey (Burnell et al., 2023). Notably, while these studies acknowledge the importance of effective storytelling across different media, including visual components, the explicit use of visual storytelling in entrepreneurship remains a largely untapped research area.

 

A significant gap exists in the literature regarding the intersection of visual storytelling and entrepreneurship, particularly in: 

a)    Theoretical aspects that bind visual storytelling and entrepreneurship

b)    Understanding visual storytelling’s impact on the development, growth, and success of ventures.

c)     Case studies documenting how visual storytelling plays a role in entrepreneurship

 

Scope of this special issue on Entrepreneurship and Visual Storytelling

The general purpose of this special issue is to advance our understanding of visual storytelling's role, trends and impact on entrepreneurship across diverse contexts. We can summarize the purpose in two main areas:

-        Visual Storytelling as a tool for entrepreneurs (e.g. a tool that helps depict the customer journey) Dropbox (from within the company).

-        Visual Storytelling as a means to understand the entrepreneurial journey (e.g. to depict what entrepreneurs go through, (view from outside of the company).

 

We welcome a range of creative and scientific articles that quite literally illustrate the reality of entrepreneurial journeys. Ranging from tech-driven visuals using AI to hand-crafted visuals, articles that explore entrepreneurial realities, albeit from a research perspective or in storytelling form with corresponding conclusions for practitioners, policymakers and academics, are welcome in this new special issue.

 

When referring to visual storytelling, our special issue is open to a vast and dense network of representational possibilities, covering, for example, but not limited to:

-            Art in all forms (e.g. classical painting, sculpture, urban art).

-            Architecture and Design

-            Generative Artificial intelligence of images and videos

-            Comics

-            Performing arts & theater

 

Suggested research topics and questions 

(authors are welcome to suggest their own)

 

We seek papers that contribute to the field by:

 

Developing theoretical frameworks: Identifying the key elements and mechanisms of visual storytelling in entrepreneurship. What are the specific ways in which visual elements contribute to brand building, customer engagement, and investor confidence? 
 

Narrating stories of entrepreneurial journeys in creative ways that help understand what entrepreneurs face. How do entrepreneurs cope with uncertain environments? How are business models repurposed? What tools help visualize the entrepreneurial journey?
 

Examining diverse visual media: Exploring the effectiveness of various visual formats, including images, videos, infographics, and interactive media, including artificial intelligence. How do different media contribute to storytelling, audience engagement, and the overall effectiveness of entrepreneurial ventures? Under which circumstances is AI more effective than the previous formats?
 

Analyzing audience engagement: Investigating how audiences respond to visual narratives, their influence on perceptions and decision-making, and the role of cultural context. How do different audiences respond to visual storytelling in entrepreneurship? What are the key factors that influence their perceptions, decision-making, and overall engagement with a brand or venture? How does cultural context play a role in shaping these responses?
 

Exploring ethical implications: Addressing the potential challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of visual storytelling in entrepreneurial ventures. How can entrepreneurs ensure that their visual storytelling practices are ethical and responsible, particularly when it comes to issues such as authenticity, representation, and the potential for manipulation? How are the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in visual storytelling in the context of entrepreneurship?
 

Developing new methodological approaches: Employing innovative research methods to analyze visual content, assess impact, and contribute to a robust methodological toolkit for this growing field. How can we use data analytics, image recognition, sentiment analysis, and other emerging techniques to gain deeper insights into the impact of visual storytelling on entrepreneurship? How can we develop a robust methodological toolkit to advance this growing field of research?
 

 

Note: Abstracts should not be longer than 150 words. Authors are encouraged to upload a sample of visuals intended to be used in the publication.

 

Abstract submission deadline: December 31st, 2024

 

Expected date of publication of the issue: December of 2025

 

 

About the Journal

Global Storytelling: Journal of Digital and Moving Images, published by Michigan Publishing under the editorship of Ying ZHU, is an international and interdisciplinary forum for intellectual debates concerning the politics, economics, culture, media, and technology of the moving image. This open-access journal invites submissions that emphasize storytelling as a particular field of inquiry across different audiovisual formats, such as documentaries, journalistic videos, personal essays, broadcast series and serial dramas, and user-generated content. The journal is soliciting submissions from humanist scholars, social scientists, leading public intellectuals, policymakers, and film and media practitioners in the form of scholarly papers, thought-provoking short dialogue pieces, and engaging commentaries. The journal aims to engage in cross-border, cross-disciplinary, cross-ideological and cross-cultural inquiry. All articles published in Global Storytelling are available open access at our Articles page.

 

For questions regarding the content of the special issue, please contact Professor Erick Behar-Villegas: behar@berlin-international.de

 

For questions regarding the journal, please fill out the journal’s contact form.

 

 

About the Guest Editors

Professor Dr. Erick Behar-Villegas is Dean of Business Administration at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences in Germany and holds an affiliation as professor of behavioral economics at Tec de Monterrey in Mexico. He studied economics and social science in Germany and holds a PhD from the University of Munich. He has co-founded several startups in Latin America and is the author of two novels and a collection of short stories. He uses storytelling to teach economics and consumer psychology. His research covers narratives, entrepreneurship policy and the role of incentives in behavior. For more information, visit www.erickbehar.com

 

Professor Victor Jiménez is a passionate storyteller and Associate Professor at Tec de Monterrey. He has taught entrepreneurship and storytelling for over 10 years. His main interest lies in how entrepreneurs use narratives and communication to build legitimacy with stakeholders. As the former director of the Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship program, where he received the GOLD award at the 2023 Reimagine Education Awards in the category of innovation in business education, Víc led innovative projects, exploring the use of technologies like VR, AR, and AI to enhance entrepreneurial communication. His research covers narrative analysis in entrepreneurial communication.

 

References

Aldrich, H. E. (1999). Organizations Evolving. Sage.

Behar-Villegas, E., Goh, Z., Horowitt, G.S. (2024). “Designing a good story for better policies: entrepreneurship at the crossroads of AI-powered visual storytelling and sensemaking”. Human Technology; forthcoming.

Burnell, D., Neubert, E., & Fisher, G. (2023). Venture tales: Practical storytelling strategies underpinning entrepreneurial narratives. Business Horizons, 66(3), 325–346

Churchill, N. C., & Lewis, V. L. (1983). The Five Stages of Small Business Growth. Harvard Business Review, 61(3), 30-50.

Dees, J. G. (2011). The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship 1 , 2. In Case Studies in Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (1st ed., Vol. 2, pp. 22–30). Routledge.

Drake, E.E. (2002). “The Power of Story”. Journal of Perinatal Education, 11 (2): ix-xi, doi:10.1624/105812402X88650 

Drucker, P. F. (1985). Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Practice and Principles.

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Fisher, G., Neubert, E., & Burnell, D. (2021). Resourcefulness narratives: Transforming actions into stories to mobilize support. Journal of Business Venturing, 36(4), 106122

Fleck, E., Pishko, J., & Verhoeven, B. (2024). Oh, the stories we could tell: a conceptual model for building shared entrepreneurial narratives. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 30(1), 72–89.

Gartner, W. B. (1985). A Conceptual Framework for Describing the Phenomenon of New Venture Creation. Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 696-706.

Kaneti, M., (2023) “Imagining Cooperation: Cold War Aesthetics for a Hot Planet”, Global Storytelling: Journal of Digital and Moving Images 2(2): 9. doi: https://doi.org/10.3998/gs.2512

Kessler, S. (2012, August 11). How Snow White helped Airbnb’s mobile mission. Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/1681924/how-snow-white-helped-airbnbs-mobile-mission 

Kirzner, I. M. (1973). Competition and Entrepreneurship. University of Chicago Press.

Lounsbury, M., & Glynn, M. A. (2001). Cultural entrepreneurship: stories, legitimacy, and the acquisition of resources: Strategic Entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurial Strategies for Wealth Creation. Strategic Management Journal, 22(6–7), 545–564.

Mayr, E., & Windhager, F. (2018). Once upon a Spacetime: Visual Storytelling in Cognitive and Geotemporal Information Spaces. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 7(3), 96. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7030096

Pinchot III, G. (1985). Intrapreneuring: Why you don't have to leave the corporation to become an entrepreneur. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship.

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Sarasvathy, S. D., & Venkataraman, S. (2011). Causation and effectuation: Toward a theoretical shift from economic inevitability to entrepreneurial agency. Journal of Business Venturing, 26(1), 243-254.

Schumpeter, J. A. (1934). The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle.

Shane, S., & Venkataraman, S. (2000). The Promise of Entrepreneurship as a Field of Research. Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 217-226.

Slingerland, G., Koojman, J., Lukosch, S., Comes, T., & Brazier, F. (2021). The power of stories: a framework to orchestrate reflection in urban storytelling to form stronger communities. Community Development, 1 (54), 18-37.  https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2021.1998169

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