Entrepreneurial resourcefulness in unstable institutional contexts: The example of European Union borderlands

Abstract

Research Summary: This article advances our understanding of entrepreneurial resourcefulness in unstable institutional contexts, which are characterized by resource constraints and institutional changes but are rich in intangible resources of a sociocultural nature. Drawing on qualitative data of individuals engaged in informal cross‐border activities in EU borderlands, we theorize resourcefulness along two core dimensions: continuity and change in relation to sociocultural, spatial, and institutional conditions and development and coping as outcomes. We identify six configurations of resourcefulness patterns and outcomes that extend current understandings of the variations in how individuals interact with their contexts, offering a nuanced view of resourcefulness. Managerial Summary: This article aims to understand entrepreneurial resourceful behavior in contexts characterized by difficult economic conditions and institutional changes. We use qualitative data of individuals involved in informal cross‐border activities in EU borderlands that have undergone the collapse of communism and EU enlargement rounds. The data shows that resourcefulness relies on continuity, reflected in previous skills and networks, family and friends, or common cultural understandings and change, as resourcefulness where individuals implicitly or explicitly challenge the new border regulations. Individuals' resourcefulness translates into “coping” outcomes, as in achieving a minimal income to maintain the current way of life and/or to sustain social relationships and “development” outcomes, whereby individuals earn more income and improve their business activities.

Transnational migrant entrepreneurship, gender and family business

“…Adopting this more inclusive perspective enables us to shine light on the roles of mothers, daughters, wives and sisters in family-business arrangements. Moreover, our data highlight the critical importance of context (Welter 2011;Welter et al 2017) and the need for studies not to limit their focus to one institutional setting but rather to uncover patterns across transnational spaces (Drori et al 2009). Such an approach will illuminate the spaces in which entrepreneurial women can challenge entrenched conceptualizations of their roles.…”

“…Because private ownership was prohibited during the period of socialist rule (Rehn and Taalas 2004), family businesses could exist formally only after the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. An emergent stream of literature (Welter et al 2017) highlights the relevance of context, including the institutional and economic factors affecting societal transformations and enabling, but often also constraining, the setting up of new enterprises and family businesses. Remennick (2016: 2) claims that 'gender relations in immigrant families of traditional background have become more egalitarian as women enter labour markets and improve their education.'…”

Introduction

“…Based on case evidence, we illustrated the forms of resourcefulness in a transition context and investigated the specific contexts that enabled or restricted resourceful behaviour. Our research in this chapter and later publications (Welter, Xheneti and Smallbone 2018) demonstrates that, and how entrepreneurs enact contexts as resources -thus creating contextual resource strategies as one distinct form of 'doing contexts'. To me, this is a very promising emerging research avenue, which I am currently exploring further both conceptually and empirically.…”

Facilitadores e Dificultadores do Empreendedorismo: Uma Survey no Rio Grande do Norte

“…Joseph Schumpeter (1997) descreve a relação entre a inovação, a criação de novos mercados e a ação de empreendedor, denominando essa relação como destruição criativa, que consiste na substituição de antigos produtos e hábitos de consumir por novos. Sua abordagem teórica do fenômeno empreendedor continua sendo uma das principais bases para a análise contemporânea nesse campo e sua perspectiva macroeconômica ainda inspira inúmeros economistas (CROITURO, 2012;WELTER;XHENETI;SMALLBONE, 2018).…”