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The 2011 death of Steve Jobs, Apple CEO and cofounder, generated a flood of articles in the popular press acknowledging his influence on the design and delivery of consumer products that changed the way multiple generations work and play. As one of the most visible, yet controversial CEOs in recent history, stories of his management style are likely to fuel a debate over his leadership effectiveness. It is expected that scholarly and academic articles will emerge in the next few years detailing the business lessons that can be learned from the way that Jobs ran Apple Computer, NeXT, Pixar, and his transformation of Apple in the 1990s.
Steve Jobs' personal story and business success reflect the American dream. The highs and lows of his career path embody the entrepreneurial spirit. From starting a business in his parents' garage to being the CEO of one of America's most highly valued companies, his story is the stuff of legends. His career included being fired and rehired by the company he founded, starting and selling several successful companies, and moving seamlessly between several industries and technologies. The purpose of this Special Issue is to offer academic reflections on the life and career of Steve Jobs and to initiate a scholarly discussion of research on entrepreneurial careers.
Few entrepreneurs have captured the world's attention as Steve Jobs did. His early career success, dramatic ouster from the company he built, and ultimate transformation of Apple into one of America's largest multibillion dollar companies encapsulates the American dream. The facts of his early life, including being given up at birth and being adopted by loving and supportive parents, provide us with a contemporary...