Toward a Theory of Indigenous Entrepreneurship

20 Pages Posted: 3 Oct 2008

See all articles by Ana Maria Peredo

Ana Maria Peredo

University of Victoria

Robert B. Anderson

University of Regina

Craig Galbraith

University of North Carolina at Wilmington - Cameron School of Business

Benson Honig

McMaster University

Léo‐Paul Dana

Montpellier Business School

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Date Written: October 4, 2004

Abstract

Indigenous populations throughout the world suffer from chronic poverty, lower education levels, and poor health. The 'second wave' of indigenous development, after direct economic assistance from outside, lies in indigenous efforts to rebuild their 'nations' and improve their lot through entrepreneurial enterprise. This paper suggests that there is a distinguishable kind of activity appropriately called 'indigenous entrepreneurship'. We believe that entrepreneurship among the indigenous-approximately 300 million strong worldwide-has a rich potential for rebuilding indigenous communities.

We begin by defining the indigenous population and noting some general facts about their numbers and distribution. In an effort to discern the potential for economic development on indigenous peoples' own terms, we then explore three frameworks for understanding efforts at development, including indigenous development: modernisation theory, dependency theory and (at somewhat greater length) regulation theory. After distinguishing 'indigenous' from 'ethnic' entrepreneurship, we conclude by identifying a number of lead questions that present themselves at the outset of an enquiry into the nature of indigenous entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Indigenous entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, indigenous, development

Suggested Citation

Peredo, Ana Maria and Anderson, Robert B. and Galbraith, Craig and Honig, Benson and Dana, Léo‐Paul, Toward a Theory of Indigenous Entrepreneurship (October 4, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1276522 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1276522

Ana Maria Peredo (Contact Author)

University of Victoria ( email )

3800 Finnerty Rd
Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2
Canada

Robert B. Anderson

University of Regina ( email )

3737 Wascana Parkway
Regina, Saskatchewan S4S OA2 S4S 0A1
Canada

Craig Galbraith

University of North Carolina at Wilmington - Cameron School of Business ( email )

Wilmington, NC 28403
United States

Benson Honig

McMaster University ( email )

1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4
Canada

Léo‐Paul Dana

Montpellier Business School ( email )

2300 Avenue des Moulins
Montpellier, 34080
France

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