Collective Efficacy of a Regional Network: Extending the Social Embeddedness Perspective of Entrepreneurship
2015 Inaugural Entrepreneurship Research Society (ERS) Research Conference and Meetings, October 29-30, Baruch College, City University
51 Pages Posted: 19 Mar 2016
Date Written: October 29, 2015
Abstract
Through participatory observation and in-depth interviews with members of the Memon community, in Pakistan, this paper probes into how the collective efforts of a regional network can facilitate entrepreneurship, social enterprises and regional development. The setting is a developing country that is lacking a large-scale entrepreneurial culture. Despite caste differences, Memons throughout the Karachi region meet and share experiences with other Memon members of their network – including Memons from unlike castes. Within this regional network Memons help one another. They give preferential treatment to other Memons of their regional network and sometimes also to co-ethnics from other regional networks. Entrepreneurship is encouraged by a collective effort without suppressing individual goals; this extends the social embeddedness perspective of entrepreneurship allowing for a collective efficacy along a regional network, facilitating entrepreneurship among individuals.
Keywords: collective efficacy, community, cultural capital, entrepreneurship, Memon, Pakistan, participatory observation, regional development, regional network, social capital
JEL Classification: M13, O18, P32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation