Discusión de resultados

Theory building or the development of conceptual frameworks attempt to provide an explanation of the reasoning which has led to a particular research investigation. Theory building entails the formulation of propositions in the context of past studies

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with a view to confirming, disproving or extending the existing research. Theory provides a ‘roadmap’ that enables a researcher to make observations that may have been missed from past studies or cannot be obtained through normal experience (Gartner, 1989).

The testing of a theory or model involves the design of a research instrument, and then gathering and analysing data. After the accumulation and interpretation of relevant data, it may then be possible to test the theory by predicting the observable phenomena in the ‘real world’. Research which explores the traits of entrepreneurs, compared to those of non-entrepreneurs, would be expected to specify personality traits which are likely to predict future entrepreneurial success. Apart from testing hypotheses or propositions, the model should also show the causality between personality characteristics and entrepreneurship (Gartner, 1989). Since entrepreneurs do not form an homogenous group, researchers should state clearly which type of entrepreneur is the subject of comparison (Gartner, 1989). The comparison could include successful versus average entrepreneurs; indigenous versus non-indigenous entrepreneurs; urban versus rural entrepreneurs and minority female versus minority male entrepreneurs.

In formulating a theoretical framework in entrepreneurship research, it is important to state clearly those who will be considered as non-entrepreneurs. If the distinctions between entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs lack clarity, this will lead to faulty theoretical construction with adverse implications for the research outcomes. While a person possessing entrepreneurial disposition may be studied as a component of the entrepreneurial process, the entrepreneurial process itself is ‘more holistic and dynamic in nature’ (Morrison, 1998, p. 1), and involves ‘the application of distinct entrepreneurial strategies and entrepreneurial management’ (Morrison, p. 1). Whilst the entrepreneur is central to any study of the entrepreneurial process, the study of ‘part-whole’ relations has some attendant risks. The so-called ‘Gestalt’ principle - that the whole is more than the total of its parts - has implications for social science research. Moghaddam (1998) stated that ‘by studying a few parts of the whole, the

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research is being limited because the characteristics of the many parts taken separately are not equivalent to the characteristics of the whole’ (p. 45). Although a comprehensive (‘whole’) examination of entrepreneurship in Fiji’s small tourist business sector would generate wide interest, it was not possible to accomplish this within the time frame available for the present research. A number of textbooks have provided a comprehensive exploration of the entrepreneurial process (examples Kao, 1989; Cannon, 1991; Timmons, 1994; Legge and Hindle, 1997; Morrison, 1998), albeit not related to Fiji’s small tourism business sector. Only a few variables that have been found to significantly influence entrepreneurship will be examined.

3.14 CHAPTER SUMMARY

Recently, the original meaning of the concept of entrepreneurship appears to have been lost and there has been a tendency to describe people involved in any type of business as an entrepreneur. For the purposes of the present research, entrepreneurs are considered to be individuals who start a business from scratch and expand it using the profits generated out of the business or build on an existing business. The process of innovative planning, organising and marketing the product or service is called entrepreneurship. Though entrepreneurs have existed since at least the Middle Ages, Say and, subsequently, Schumpeter were primarily responsible for popularising the concept.

As has been identified in this chapter, the study of entrepreneurship is problematic because researchers have been unable to identify the variables that stimulate entrepreneurial disposition and entrepreneurship. Early research assumed that successful entrepreneurs possessed certain personality traits absent in the general population. Despite years of intense activity, researchers have failed to isolate these elusive traits. Meanwhile the economic success of South Asian countries has stimulated new thinking on entrepreneurship, including consideration that

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entrepreneurial success in these countries could have a cultural base. The low level of entrepreneurial achievements by individual Fijians may be attributed to colonial policies and to culture. This debate provides a valuable context for the current research. In the next chapter the controversy surrounding the role of culture - individualism and collectivism - either in influencing or retarding entrepreneurship will be discussed with reference particularly to the Seychelles, Malaysia and some selected South Pacific countries.

CHAPTER FOUR

Culture and entrepreneurship

Source: Narube *(1997, p. 242). *Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

It is all too common to hear that the Fijian culture is

inappropriate for business. We, therefore, treat culture as a

problem. We should change this paradigm. We can and we

should integrate culture into our business solutions. Business

training must reflect this change in strategy and examine ways

in which we can use the culture as a medium of business. Some

examples are inherent in the recommendations below but some

possibilities could be:

•

Exploit decision making through teams, which is very

familiar to Fijians;

•

Exchange of goods through barter;

•

Contract work in exchange gifts or donations from the

business;

•

Give tax breaks for donations to traditional causes;

•

Allow flexitime arrangements for those that attend traditional

Chapter Four: Culture and entrepreneurship ₁₀₅