Title: Towards a theory of indigenous entrepreneurship

Authors: Ana Maria Peredo, Robert B. Anderson, Craig S. Galbraith, Benson Honig, Leo Paul Dana

Addresses: Faculty of Business, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Drive, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada. ' Faculty of Administration, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada. ' Cameron School of Business, University of North Carolina, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA. ' Faculty of Business and Economics, Wilfred Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ont. N2L 3C5, Canada. ' Department of Management, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8020, New Zealand

Abstract: Indigenous populations throughout the world suffer from chronic poverty, lower education levels, and poor health. The ||second wave|| of indigenous development, after direct economic assistance from outside, lies in indigenous efforts to rebuild their ||nations|| and improve their lot through entrepreneurial enterprise. This paper suggests that there is a distinguishable kind of activity appropriately called ||indigenous entrepreneurship||. We begin by defining the indigenous population and noting some general facts about their numbers and distribution. In an effort to discern the potential for development on indigenous peoples| own terms, we then explore three frameworks for understanding efforts at development, including indigenous development: modernisation theory, dependency theory and (at somewhat greater length) regulation theory. After distinguishing ||indigenous|| from ||ethnic|| entrepreneurship, we conclude by identifying a number of lead questions that present themselves at the outset of an enquiry into the nature of indigenous entrepreneurship.

Keywords: indigenous entrepreneurship; theory development; ethnic entrepreneurship; economic development; entrepreneurship typologies; modernisation theory; dependency theory; regulation theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2004.005374

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2004 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.1 - 20

Published online: 29 Sep 2004 *