Australian Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs: The Role of Adversity Quotient

Journal of Business Research, Forthcoming

47 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2024

See all articles by Jane Menzies

Jane Menzies

University of the Sunshine Coast; University of the Sunshine Coast

Meena Chavan

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Rob Jack

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Simona Scarparo

Deakin University - Deakin Business School

Francesco Chirico

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS); Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School

Date Written: February 6, 2024

Abstract

Drawing on the experiences of 18 Australian Indigenous female entrepreneurs (AIFE), we use a grounded theory approach to understand their entrepreneurial development in the face of adversity. Informed by the concept of adversity quotient (AQ), our findings reveal that Indigenous female entrepreneurs do experience a range of adversities stemming from their gender and ethnic background. We examine the role that AQ – specifically, an individual’s ability to deal with adverse situations – has in allowing Indigenous entrepreneurs to leverage contingencies to establish a business. We find that business success is enabled by Indigenous entrepreneurs seeking to control the situation through endurance and persistence and taking ownership to improve their situation. We contribute to the existing underdog entrepreneurship literature by developing a model of adversity encountered by AIFEs.

Suggested Citation

Menzies, Jane and Chavan, Meena and Jack, Rob and Scarparo, Simona and Chirico, Francesco and Chirico, Francesco, Australian Indigenous Female Entrepreneurs: The Role of Adversity Quotient (February 6, 2024). Journal of Business Research, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4717760

Jane Menzies

University of the Sunshine Coast ( email )

90 Sippy Downs Dr
Sippy Downs QLD, Queensland 4556
Australia

University of the Sunshine Coast ( email )

90 Sippy Downs Dr
Sippy Downs QLD, Queensland 4556
Australia

Meena Chavan

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

Rob Jack

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

Simona Scarparo

Deakin University - Deakin Business School ( email )

Australia

Francesco Chirico (Contact Author)

Macquarie University, Macquarie Business School ( email )

New South Wales 2109
Australia

Jonkoping University - Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) ( email )

Jönköping, 55111
Sweden

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