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

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'...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of business venturing 2018-07, Vol.33 (4), p.416-437
Main Authors: Slade Shantz, Angelique, Kistruck, Geoffrey, Zietsma, Charlene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Base of the pyramid entrepreneurship
Informal institutions
Island networks
Occupational identity
Occupations
Poverty
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Summary: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. •Entrepreneurs in island networks are subject to informal institutional barriers to innovation.•Collectivism, and fatalism shape the occupational identity of entrepreneurs.•Entrepreneurs act out of obligation and constraint rather than opportunity.•Less embedded entrepreneurs are less constrained by these barriers.
ISSN:0883-9026
1873-2003
DOI:10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.02.003