Social entrepreneurship and innovation: Self-organization in an indigenous context

This article explores some of the theoretical insights emerging from work in the field of social entrepreneurship and complexity theory. It draws on a neo-Schumpeterian understanding of innovation as self-organization, as it arises in the process of social entrepreneurship. Drawing on complexity theory, we use the lens of self-organization and complex adaptive systems to consider entrepreneurial activity in Maori communities where innovation occurs through the interaction of the young opportunity seeking entrepreneur (potiki) and the elder statesperson (rangatira). The interplay between these two actors in the Maori tribal community illustrates the double spiral (takarangi) dance of innovation (creation) that occurs at and between the edges of chaos and stability. Two theoretical insights emerge from this research. First, we are reminded that tradition and heritage can form the path to innovation while opportunity-seeking adventurers are necessary if steps are to be taken along the path. Second, the historical and cultural context in which innovation occurs is an important consideration for understanding both social and economic entrepreneurship.