The opportunity not taken: The occupational identity of entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty

Angelique Slade Shantz; Geoffrey Kistruck; Charlene Zietsma

doi:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.02.003

The opportunity not taken: The occupational identity of entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty

Angelique Slade Shantz, Geoffrey Kistruck, Charlene Zietsma

Management and Organization

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

119 Scopus citations

Abstract

Innovative entrepreneurship is an essential but often missing outcome of poverty alleviation efforts. This qualitative study set in rural Ghana explores the occupational identity of entrepreneurs, the institutions that shape it in isolated “island networks” and how it influences entrepreneurs’ practices and decisions. We find that the institutional forces of “collectivism” and “fatalism” feature prominently. Being an entrepreneur in such settings means being a mentor, market link, and community safety net, and the types of opportunities entrepreneurs pursue are largely seen as pre-destined and inherited rather than individually chosen. As a result, the pursuit of innovative opportunities may be significantly limited.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	416-437
Number of pages	22
Journal	Journal of Business Venturing
Volume	33
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.02.003
State	Published - Jul 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Business and International Management
Management of Technology and Innovation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.02.003

Cite this

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title = "The opportunity not taken: The occupational identity of entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty",

abstract = "Innovative entrepreneurship is an essential but often missing outcome of poverty alleviation efforts. This qualitative study set in rural Ghana explores the occupational identity of entrepreneurs, the institutions that shape it in isolated “island networks” and how it influences entrepreneurs{\textquoteright} practices and decisions. We find that the institutional forces of “collectivism” and “fatalism” feature prominently. Being an entrepreneur in such settings means being a mentor, market link, and community safety net, and the types of opportunities entrepreneurs pursue are largely seen as pre-destined and inherited rather than individually chosen. As a result, the pursuit of innovative opportunities may be significantly limited.",

author = "{Slade Shantz}, Angelique and Geoffrey Kistruck and Charlene Zietsma",

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The opportunity not taken: The occupational identity of entrepreneurs in contexts of poverty

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

UN SDGs

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