Interpreting community enterprises' ability to survive in depleted contexts through the Humane Entrepreneurship lens: evidence from Italian rural areas. Issue 1 (27th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buratti, Nicoletta; Albanese, Massimo; Sillig, Cécile
• Is Part Of: Journal of small business and enterprise development. Volume 29:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27
• Subjects: Community enterprise -- Community entrepreneurship -- Humane entrepreneurship -- Case study -- Rural areas; Small business -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; New business enterprises -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Industrial management -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Entrepreneurship -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 658.022
• DOI: 10.1108/JSBED-05-2021-0167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-6004

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Doing business in depleted contexts requires the adoption of an unconventional strategic orientation based on the involvement of the local community and driven by the attainment of economic, environmental and social goals. Previous studies have explored the specific nature of community enterprises (CEs); notwithstanding, little attention has been paid to the understanding of the strategic posture adopted by community entrepreneurs to overcome difficulties and make the business up. In this vein, the study aims to investigate how CEs operating in depleted contexts manage to survive, by successfully achieving multiple – conflicting – goals. Design/methodology/approach: The authors adopted the Humane Entrepreneurship (HumEnt) framework as a form of institutional entrepreneurship where resources are leveraged to evolve the institutional context. This research adopts the case study strategy, focusing on Italian rural CEs. Findings: The HumEnt approach, which takes into account both economic and non-economic and altruistic values of entrepreneurs, turned as better suited – compared to other approaches – to explain why people try to make business in such high-risk contexts. Second, the holistic approach of the HumEnt framework allowed catching up the particular mechanism that has enabled the CEs to obtain positive achievement. Originality/value: The adoption of the HumEnt perspective enabled us to understand better the way CEs may survive and even grow where other initiatives have failed.