Keeping it in the family: exploring Igbo ethnic entrepreneurial behaviour in Nigeria

Journal article


Igwe, Paul Agu, Newbery, Robert, Amoncar, Nihar, White, Gareth R.T. and Madichie, Nnamdi O. 2018. Keeping it in the family: exploring Igbo ethnic entrepreneurial behaviour in Nigeria. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. 26 (1), pp. 34-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-12-2017-0492
AuthorsIgwe, Paul Agu, Newbery, Robert, Amoncar, Nihar, White, Gareth R.T. and Madichie, Nnamdi O.
Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the attributes of the Igbos in Eastern Nigeria and the underlying factors influencing their entrepreneurial behaviour. More specifically, the study highlights the links between family, culture, institution and entrepreneurial behaviour in the African context. This paper is based on a qualitative research method by interviewing 50 entrepreneurs and community leaders of the Igbo nation. Igbos have been described as “naturally
enterprising and ingenious” and can be found throughout Nigeria and West Africa. Understanding the vagaries of ethnic entrepreneurship can arguably only be achieved through research that is undertaken within these socio-historically rich, traditional and cultural contexts. Linked to the social learning theory, Igbo families provide an entrepreneurial leadership platform which influences youths through role models, providing mastery experiences and socialisation. The extended family provides a safe environment for risk taking, creativity and innovation. Also, an informal apprenticeship system provides entrepreneurial learning that prepares the younger generation to take to business as a way of life. The study is based on a relatively small sample size of 50 respondents, which makes it difficult to generalise the findings despite the benefits of the research methods adopted in the study. Also, there are limitations to the extension of the findings to a generalised Igbo population comprising individuals who may, or may not, behave entrepreneurially. There are significant practical implications, both nationally and internationally, for policy makers that are concerned with developing jobs for the growing population of unemployed youths and inclusive entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The research has three main contributions. First, it valorises indigenous knowledge of family and institutional entrepreneurial behaviour in an African context. Second, it highlights the importance of the linked institutions of the extended family and the informal apprenticeship system in Igbo culture. Finally, it provides a model and an explanation of how the Igbo culture nurtures and develops transgenerational entrepreneurial behaviour.

KeywordsBusiness, Management and Accounting (miscellaneous); Family firms; Entrepreneurship; Ethnic groups; Institutions; Institutional theory
Year2018
JournalInternational Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
Journal citation26 (1), pp. 34-53
PublisherEmerald
ISSN1355-2554
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-12-2017-0492
Web address (URL)http://hdl.handle.net/10545/624506
https://www.emerald.com/insight/site-policies
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
hdl:10545/624506
Publication dates24 Sep 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited24 Feb 2020, 14:58
Accepted24 Jul 2018
Rights

CC0 1.0 Universal

ContributorsUniversity of Lincoln, Newcastle Unviersity, University of South Wales and London School of Business and Management
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