The impact of Greek Orthodoxy on entrepreneurship: a theoretical framework

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to offer a theoretical framework for the analysis of the eventual implications of Greek Orthodoxy for business and entrepreneurial activities in general. Design/methodology/approach -The paper examines the basic concepts, tenets and principles -in particular, those being of interest to business and entrepreneurship -of a specific religious worldview, Greek Orthodoxy. It then applies these religious norms to value-based entrepreneurial pursuits and assesses their potential impact on entrepreneurial motivation and action. Particular emphasis is given to the societal relevance of this comprehensive worldview. In this respect, it is argued that Greek Orthodoxy's binding principles should also be examined in their relationship with ethno-religious communities underlying the formation of entrepreneurial networks beneficial to economic prosperity and overall welfare. Findings -The paper conceptualises the potential benefits derived from a specific religious worldview, as well as its capacity to enrich entrepreneurial discourses. While these benefits are primarily situated at the individual level (at least to the degree to which religious beliefs can inform decisions), there is a rationale in viewing religious truth claims as constituent of ethno-religious identities of both local and immigrant communities. Propositions exemplifying the behaviour of entrepreneurs who draw from such important ethic and religious resources are also offered. Limitations of the present study, as well as areas of prospective research, are equally taken into consideration. Originality/value -The paper attempts to offer a tentative framework epitomising the significance of Greek Orthodoxy for the world of business and entrepreneurship. It further provides the theoretical foundations of future empirical research on religious-based entrepreneurial attitudes in the wider context of Eastern Orthodoxy.

When Does Christian Religion Matter for Entrepreneurial Activity? The Contingent Effect of a Country’s Investments into Knowledge

“…Since Weber's ([1922] 1978) seminal work on Protestant work ethics, the impact of religion and religious institutions on economic activity has had a long standing tradition in research. A more recent stream of empirical research has furthered our understanding of how the faith of an individual, such as Greek Orthodoxy (Gotsis & Kortezi 2009), Buddhism (Valliere 2008),…”

“…Weber's (1930) seminal work on the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism laid the foundation to understand the mechanisms of how religion, an arguably personal attribute, can become prevalent in society and affect societal members. While Weber's (1930) thesis remains popular (Ryman & Turner 2007), more recent scholarship shows that the question of how religion broadly impacts the creation of new businesses remains topical (Audretsch et al 2013;Choi 2010;Dana 2009;Drakopoulou Dodd & Gotsis 2007;Drakopoulou Dodd & Seaman 1998;Galbraith & Galbraith 2007;Gotsis & Kortezi 2009;Essers & Benschop 2009;Neubert & Beard 2013;Valliere 2008). These studies can be viewed as part of a recent "theological turn" in the wider field of management and organizational studies, basically suggesting that religion 'supports' business (Dyck in press).…”

Network Not Utilized: The Case of Ultra-Orthodox Female Micro-Entrepreneurs in Israel

“…Honig (1998) found that married entrepreneurs who attend church regularly were more likely to succeed in business because of social capital and developed social networks. It was also found that family and religious ties in Greece enable and entrepreneurship over years (Gotsis and Kortezi, 2009). This was found in closed communities such as the Amish (Smith et al, 1997) and the Mennonites (Roessingh and Schoonderwoerd, 2005; Roessingh and Smits, 2010).…”

The Impact of Cultural Openness, Religion, and Nationalism on Entrepreneurial Intensity: Six Prototypical Cases of Turkish Family Firms

“…Many (Anderson, Drakopoulou-Dodd, and Scott 2000;Carsrud and Brännback 2012;Smith 2009) suggest that there is value in studying entrepreneurship in different religious contexts because religion can influence the decision to become an entrepreneur. The religious environment affects innovation, creativity, and competitiveness (Gotsis and Kortezi 2009). However, no absolute effects are conferred on entrepreneurial activity by religion.…”

“…According to Fattah and Butterfield (2006), this does not reflect an inconsistency as Muslims cannot be taken as a homogeneous group and neither can their religious views because a plurality of interpretations can be found as "Islam that unites Muslims divides them as well" (Fattah and Butterfield 2006). In Turkey, during the Ottoman Empire, Muslims were not allowed to undertake entrepreneurial activities, while non-Muslims were allowed to conduct business (Gotsis and Kortezi 2009). Only after the "exchange of populations" and establishment of the Turkish Republic did Muslims start to engage in entrepreneurial activities.…”