Maryline Kiptoo, Pratima Sambajee and Tom Baum
The study aims to understand how informal artisan entrepreneurs demonstrate resilience while experiencing adversity. To achieve this, it explores how artisans handle adversities…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to understand how informal artisan entrepreneurs demonstrate resilience while experiencing adversity. To achieve this, it explores how artisans handle adversities and how this differs from other informal entrepreneurs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study engaged with entrepreneurial theories of resilience. It incorporated 46 qualitative telephone interviews with 32 artisans in the informal tourism industry of Kenya, conducted over two phases and analysed using thematic analysis. Notably, it draws key methodological considerations for conducting remote qualitative data collection and engaging with participants operating in an informal setting.
Findings
The findings suggest that informal artisans exhibit individual attributes and behaviours that are associated with resilience in entrepreneurship. Beyond these, their resilience is also influenced by cultural norms related to resourcing their business and culturally derived tacit knowledge.
Originality/value
The paper extends the understanding of resilience among informal artisan entrepreneurs, who display different characteristics due to the nature of their entrepreneurial activities. It shows that beyond the individualistic view of resilience, culture also influences resilience through social norms and values that govern behaviours. Furthermore, culture reinforces resilience as it is rooted in tacit knowledge held by artisan entrepreneurs. The paper thus contributes to resilience theory in entrepreneurship and to the unique context of artisanry.
Details
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Pratima Sambajee and Mehdi Zulficar Azad Dhomun
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the role of government in the development of SMEs in the Maldives and Mauritius. Using tourism SMEs, it seeks to identify…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the role of government in the development of SMEs in the Maldives and Mauritius. Using tourism SMEs, it seeks to identify, analyse and compare strategies deployed by SMEs operating in an “enabling” and a “constrained” business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
An inductive approach to qualitative research is undertaken using seventeen semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders identified though a stakeholder analysis. Using multiple sources (six government officials, eight SME owner/managers, one private bank owner, one academic and one resort owner), variations and consensus in the data were identified through thematic analysis.
Findings
The Maldivian Government is less proactive in supporting its SMEs compared to the Mauritian Government. Its failure to facilitate access to finance and provide business support services has led the Maldivian SMEs to use multiple methods of bootstrapping to sustain existing businesses and/or start new ones. In contrast, despite operating in a more enabling business environment, Mauritian SMEs were found to engage in similar strategies due to lack of trust in government-led initiatives.
Practical implications
Policy-makers in island economies can use the findings to inform decision making in SME development planning.
Originality/value
While this research adds to the sparse literature on government and SME development in island economies, it also highlights the relevance of bootstrapping for SMEs operating in economically constrained environments.