What counts as an indigenous enterprise? Evidence from Aotearoa New Zealand

Jason Paul Mika, Nicolas Fahey and Joanne Bensemann

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2019, vol. 13, issue 3, 372-390

Abstract: Purpose - This paper aims to contribute to indigenous entrepreneurship theory by identifying what constitutes an indigenous enterprise, focussing on Aotearoa New Zealand as a case. Design/methodology/approach - This paper combines policy (quantitative survey) and academic research (qualitative interviews) to answer the same question, what is an indigenous enterprise in Aotearoa New Zealand? Findings - The authors found a degree of consistency as to what counts as an indigenous enterprise in the literature (e.g., identity, ownership, values), yet a consensus on a definition of Maori business remains elusive. They also found that an understanding of the indigenous economy and indigenous entrepreneurial policy are impeded because of definitional uncertainties. The authors propose a definition of Maori business which accounts for indigenous ownership, identity, values and well-being. Research limitations/implications - The main limitation is that the literature and research use different definitions of indigenous enterprise, constraining comparative analysis. The next step is to evaluate our definition as a basis for quantifying the population of indigenous enterprises in Aotearoa New Zealand. Practical implications - The research assists indigenous entrepreneurs to identify, measure and account for their contribution to indigenous self-determination and sustainable development. Social implications - This research has the potential to reconceptualise indigenous enterprise as a distinct and legitimate alternative institutional theory of the firm. Originality/value - The research challenges assumptions and knowledge of entrepreneurship policy and practice generally and the understanding of what is the nature and extent of an indigenous firm.

Keywords: Indigenous entrepreneurship; Indigenous enterprise; Aotearoa New Zealand; Indigenous data sovereignty; Indigenous economies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:jecpps:jec-12-2018-0102

DOI: 10.1108/JEC-12-2018-0102

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