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The Bigman Metaphor for Entrepreneurship: A “Library Tale” with Morals on Alternatives for Further Research

Author

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  • Alex Stewart

    (Brock University, Department of Management and Marketing, School of Administrative Studies, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2S 3A1)

Abstract

Melanesian Bigmanship (a meritocratic, enacted career of political-economic leadership) is recounted as an anthropological metaphor for entrepreneurship. This “library tale” has two purposes. The first is a demonstration of conceptual uses of ethnographies for developing grounded theory. Propositions are generated on entrepreneurial orientations and opportunity structures. Opportunities are seen to arise in the creation of linkages between spheres of exchange, or fields in which an object exchanges at different values. Entrepreneurial tactics, such as converting between spheres, call for skills in informal planning, astute use of timing, and networking. These “tactical” skills coexist with “moral” skills, in persuasiveness, the manipulation of norms, and recognition of culturally specific opportunities. The entrepreneur's acts thus create a dialectic of moral (normatively approved) and tactical (instrumentally enacted) changes.The second purpose is a demonstration of methodological implications of ethnographies. Library tales are helpful in the process of “constant comparison” (Glaser and Strauss 1967), by augmenting available, within-site observations with other sources of insight, and of potential disconfirmation of emerging ideas. However, there are limits to the “translation” of library tales. There thus arises a need for observations tailored to specific comparative questions. Multiple site case replication research is suggested for tailoring observations to synchronic, comparative uses. Processual, continuous contextual analysis is suggested for diachronic, intensive followups to such questions as the relationships amongst constraints and individual agency.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Stewart, 1990. "The Bigman Metaphor for Entrepreneurship: A “Library Tale” with Morals on Alternatives for Further Research," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 1(2), pages 143-159, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:1:y:1990:i:2:p:143-159
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1.2.143
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alex Stewart, 2003. "Help One Another, Use One Another: Toward an Anthropology of Family Business," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 27(4), pages 383-396, October.
    2. Fernanda Llussa, 2011. "Determinants of entrepreneurship: are women different?," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp555, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    3. Alex Stewart & Kevin E Learned & Stanley W. Mandel & Kristin M. Peterson, 1995. "Using Field Research on Firm-Level Entrepreneurship: A Coda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 19(3), pages 175-184, April.
    4. Bechir Mokline, 2021. "The Recognition of Business Opportunity in Female Entrepreneurship: State of Play in a Tunisian Context," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 7(2), pages 118-146, July.
    5. Alex Stewart, 1992. "A Prospectus on the Anthropology of Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 16(2), pages 71-92, January.

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