A Theory-Based Empirical Study of Entrepreneurship in Iqaluit, Nunavut

Posted: 4 Nov 2009

See all articles by Léo‐Paul Dana

Léo‐Paul Dana

Montpellier Business School

Teresa E. Dana

Christchurch College of Education - School of Business

Robert B. Anderson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

Entrepreneurial activity in Iqaluit on BaffinIsland, Canada, was examined, among both the Inuit indigenous people and theother residents. One goal was to determine whether entrepreneurship isbeing implemented by Inuit indigenous people in the same way as Western-stylemainstream entrepreneurship. The snowballing technique was used to identifyformal entrepreneurs in Iqaluit, and 57 interviews were conducted. Findings reveal that most of the entrepreneurs are mainstreamEnglish-Canadians or French-Canadians; only three were Inuit.Thenon-indigenousentrepreneurs were both deliberate opportunity seekers andreactionary entrepreneurs who choseself-employment from necessity.Formal entrepreneurship has had little success with indigenous Inuitpeople in Iqaluit. For the Inuits, enterprising takes place in different forms.Their cultural identity is rooted in nature and in sharing. Hence, informalentrepreneurship and internal self-employment, such as subsistence fishing andhunting, is more valued in this community. (SRY)

Keywords: English-Canadians, French-Canadians, Self-employment, Service industries, Cultural identity, Economic growth, Indigenous groups, Research methods

Suggested Citation

Dana, Léo‐Paul and Dana, Teresa E. and Anderson, Robert B., A Theory-Based Empirical Study of Entrepreneurship in Iqaluit, Nunavut (2005). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1497881

Léo‐Paul Dana (Contact Author)

Montpellier Business School ( email )

2300 Avenue des Moulins
Montpellier, 34080
France

Teresa E. Dana

Christchurch College of Education - School of Business

Dovedale Avenue
P.O. Box 31-065
Ilam, Christchurch 8030
New Zealand

Robert B. Anderson

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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