Faith and business practice amongst Christian entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets

Abstract

This article examines the impact of faith on the business approach of Christian entrepreneurs in developing and emerging market settings. Special attention is given to the distinctive context for business in these environments (including high levels of poverty and corruption); the entrepreneurs' responses, and how faith influences these responses. Focusing on the experience of two entrepreneurs out of a larger pool of 65, we found that faith appears to play an important role in shaping their priorities. Putting reputation before short-term profit, both entrepreneurs adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt dealing, and have become known for this stance. Both entrepreneurs also exhibit a sense of dependence on God that is greater than that documented amongst Christian entrepreneurs in developed countries, perhaps reflecting the challenges associated with their environments.

The Christian Body at Work

“…faith at work (Lynn, Naugthon & VanderVeen 2009, Miller & Ewest 2013c, Miller 2007, Whipp 2008, integration of faith and work, faith-work integration (Lynn, Naugthon & VanderVeen 2009, Walker 2013, faith and business (Wood & Heslam 2014), religion and work, work-faith integration (Lynn, Naugthon & VanderVeen 2010), spirituality at work (Tourish & Tourish 2010), spirit at work (Kinjerski & Skrypnek 2006), and spirituality of work (Ligo 2011, Ottaway 2003.…”

“…Fourth, there are studies on the context-specific manifestation of the faith/religiosity of entrepreneurs (e.g. Cao 2007, Dana 2007, Gotsis & Kortezi 2009, and Wood & Heslam 2014. Cao (2007) presents an ethnographic account of Chinese Christian entrepreneurs in Wenzhou, China, with a focus on church-state interaction.…”

“…Gotsis and Kortezi (2009) explore the impact of Greek Orthodoxy on entrepreneurship. Wood and Heslam (2014) explore the influence of faith on business practice among Christian entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets in Africa, Asia, and South America. These contexts are characterized by high levels of poverty and corruption.…”

“…The Christian entrepreneurs show a "high sense of calling" (similar to entrepreneurs in developed contexts) and the pursuit of a "higher purpose" in terms of contributing to the alleviation of poverty through their business activities. Wood and Heslam (2014) found that because of their Christian faith, the entrepreneurs under study value reputation more highly than short-term profit. They adopt a zero-tolerance attitude toward corruption ("are willing to forgo business which cannot be won without corrupt dealing", 2014:7) and have become known for this.…”

A Faith-based Entrepreneurial Sensemaking Lens: Empowerment, Risk, and Agency

“…We seek to understand the ways in which the Christian faith has an influence on the sensemaking process in an entrepreneurial venture. Entrepreneurship activity is an important input for economic progress (Wood & Heslam, 2014). Entrepreneurship contributes to diversifying an economy, the creation of new jobs, and to the development of new technology and innovations (Meyer & de Jongh, 2018;Stoica et al, 2020).…”