Indigenous business success: a hybrid perspective

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to address the notion that the relationship between being indigenous and business success is inconclusive because there are tensions between indigenous values and business success. The research questions are: How do indigenous entrepreneurs define success? Does the third space create a different meaning of success in the indigenous context? Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted for this study because the ability to define success requires subjective meanings. Participants’ lived experiences and stories were the main sources of information. Open conversational-style interviews were used because they allow participants to freely share their stories. Findings A defining line is that not all indigenous entrepreneurs have the same view of success. The homogeneity that emanates from sharing indigeneity does not equal unity in views, but shows that people from the same group can view success differently. However, the meaning and views formed are also connected to the wider community, relationships and predominant values that characterise the social cultural context of the entrepreneur. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on one indigenous group; more studies need to be conducted to gain wider variation on the meaning of success in indigenous entrepreneurship and how indigenous subculture alters these meanings. Practical implications The findings of this study show that success for indigenous entrepreneurs should be defined based on individual philosophy. Hence, practitioners should endeavour to clarify what success means from the initial stage of the business to avoid misconception and make this clear to others that are connected to the business. Originality/value This paper suggests a different view of success in an indigenous context using the hybridity viewpoint to explain why success can be perceived using the in-between space without opposite binary.

Indigenous investments: Are they different? Lessons from Iwi

“…That is, we use the Henare (1998) model and apply the codes listed in Table 1. These are widely considered to be the core distinguishing features of Māori enterprise and are in line with related literature (see Best and Love, 2010; Haar and Delaney, 2009; Harmsworth and Awatere, 2013; Henwood and Henwood, 2011; Kawharu, 2016; Mika, 2018; Mika et al, 2017; Mrabure, 2019; Scrimgeour and Iremonger, 2011). We define traditional western financial metrics as the key terms and concepts used by financial professionals and in academic and finance industry literature (Table 2).…”

“…The key question we have sought to examine is whether the way in which Indigenous groups, such as Waikato-Tainui, approach investment and financial affairs is adequately captured by western financial frameworks. The extant literature is clear that a framework of tikanga and mātauranga values underpins the Māori approach to finance and business in general (Haar and Delaney 2009; Mika, 2018; Mika et al, 2017; Mrabure, 2019; Mrabure et al, 2018; Scrimgeour and Iremonger, 2011; Wood and Mika, 2018). Analysis of a select sample of the corporate documents of TGH, the investment arm of the Waikato-Tainui Iwi, confirms the existence of a tikanga and mātauranga framework as a distinct feature of Māori investment outfits.…”

“…The model identified kotahitanga (unity), wairuatanga (spirituality), manaakitanga (the ethic of care for all things), whanaungatanga (relationship and kinship), and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) as the main elements of Māori ethical values. These are the core characteristics which distinguish Māori enterprise and have been the subject of several studies; see Mrabure (2019), Haar and Delaney (2009), Scrimgeour and Iremonger (2011) and Mika (2018).…”

“…Also relates to actions and investments which secure the future and considers the intergenerational approach to investment. Treaty settlement issues also included and Delaney, 2009; Harmsworth and Awatere, 2013;Henwood and Henwood, 2011;Kawharu, 2016;Mika, 2018;Mika et al, 2017;Mrabure, 2019;Scrimgeour and Iremonger, 2011). We define traditional western financial metrics as the key terms and concepts used by financial professionals and in academic and finance industry literature (Table 2).…”

“…From the literature, we know that the motivating factors for Indigenous self-employment include, but are not limited to, the profit motive that tends to dominate western corporates (Haar and Delaney, 2009). In addition to financial performance, Indigenous values informed by tikanga and mātauranga Māori are also important (Merrill, 1954; Mrabure, 2019; Perry et al, 2003; Reihana et al, 2007; Te Aho, 2005; Scrimgeour and Iremonger, 2011). Tikanga is defined as Māori customs, values, and practices that have developed, and can be thought of as the Māori way of doing things.…”