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Success factors of Māori entrepreneurs: A regional perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 August 2018

Diane Ruwhiu ,
Maria Amoamo ,
Katharina Ruckstuhl ,
Janine Kapa  and
Anaru Eketone
Diane Ruwhiu*
Affiliation:
Department of Management, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Maria Amoamo
Affiliation:
Department of Management, Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Katharina Ruckstuhl
Affiliation:
Otago Business School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
Janine Kapa
Affiliation:
Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand
Anaru Eketone
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Gender & Social Work, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

This paper reports on an exploratory study into critical success factors as they are perceived by Māori small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in the Otago/Southland regions of New Zealand. We draw on interview responses from 11 Māori business owners and four representatives of SME support services. The aim of this study is to explore Māori SME characteristics in terms of the critical success factors that help or hinder the achievement of their business aspirations. The findings indicate three main thematic concerns: Māori SME owners’ perception of being Māori impacts on how they position themselves as a business; the regional business environment has particular features that impact in a particular way on Māori SMEs; and, notions of business strategy are culturally nuanced. We propose that a culturally constituted regional business support system will better enable Māori SMEs to achieve their aspirations.

Keywords

Māori businesssmall- to medium-sized enterprisesregional developmentIndigenous economic development
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Management & Organization , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , January 2021 , pp. 41 - 61
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management 2018

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