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Using Autobiographies In Business History: A Narratological Analysis Of Jules Joubert'S Shavings And Scrapes

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  • James Reveley

Abstract

Entrepreneur autobiographies provide business historians with the opportunity to connect storytelling and identity, topics that are now prominent in economic debate. Yet lingering concern about the subjectivity of life writing prevents wider use of autobiographies within business history. This article seeks to allay such concern by applying the narratological method to the colonial entrepreneur Jules Joubert's autobiography, Shavings and Scrapes. Joubert's narrative identity is as an ‘adventurer’. This identity shored up his self‐image and was used by him to enhance his reputation. Narratology shows that an autobiography can stabilise and publicise the colonial entrepreneur's narrative identity, thereby benefiting their business career.

Suggested Citation

  • James Reveley, 2010. "Using Autobiographies In Business History: A Narratological Analysis Of Jules Joubert'S Shavings And Scrapes," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 50(3), pages 284-305, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ozechr:v:50:y:2010:i:3:p:284-305
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8446.2010.00306.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Miruna Radu-Lefebvre & Vincent Lefebvre & Eliana Crosina & Ulla Hytti, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Identity: A Review and Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(6), pages 1550-1590, November.
    2. Angela Carradus & Ricardo Zozimo & Allan Discua Cruz, 2020. "Exploring a Faith-Led Open-Systems Perspective of Stewardship in Family Businesses," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(4), pages 701-714, May.
    3. Monica Keneley, 2020. "Reflections on the Business History Tradition: Where has it Come from and Where is it Going to?," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(3), pages 282-300, November.
    4. Andreas Rauch, 2020. "Opportunities and Threats in Reviewing Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 44(5), pages 847-860, September.

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