Entrepreneurial Behavior Unveiled: An Anthropological Perspective

Anthropologist Joost Beuving sheds new light on entrepreneurial behavior in his recently published book titled “Theorizing Entrepreneurship for The Future.” Through long-term studies and fieldwork in various countries such as Greece, West Africa, and the United States, Beuving has discovered remarkable similarities in entrepreneurial behavior worldwide. He challenges the notion that entrepreneurial success solely relies on rational anticipation and well-thought-out planning, stating that it is often influenced by external circumstances beyond an entrepreneur’s control.

The belief that the free market always leads to prosperity is contradicted by practical realities such as financial crises and failing businesses. The 2008 financial crisis raised doubts about this widely accepted belief, leading to scientific studies on its causes and a search for a more sustainable economic model.

However, to truly understand the origins of crises and corporate scandals, Joost Beuving argues that we must move beyond the narrow economic perspective of entrepreneurship. In his book, “Theorizing Entrepreneurship for the Future: Stories from Global Frontiers,” Beuving provides an ethnographic insight into the subject.

Beuving’s research draws from his fieldwork over the past two decades, including studies on second-hand car dealers in West Africa, fish exporters around Lake Victoria in East Africa, fish-farm business owners in Greece, and the behavior of investment bankers in the American financial sector.

Embracing uncertainty

In his comprehensive book, Beuving explores how entrepreneurs perceive the future. He defines entrepreneurial behavior as the actions individuals take to navigate an inherently uncertain future. This includes discussions about the future, strategies for coping with uncertainty, and social practices such as collaborations and conflicts.

Across the cases studied, Beuving finds a common ideal image of an entrepreneur: the homo economicus. This ideal represents an opportunistic individual who acts out of self-interest and rationally weighs costs and benefits to maximize profit. However, Beuving emphasizes that this ideal assumes an unrealistic level of knowledge about the future. Entrepreneurs often project confidence while grappling with insecurity.

In all the countries studied, entrepreneurs maintain a facade of confidence despite their hidden struggles. For example, West African car dealers may lead modest lives despite their pursuit of financial success, while investment bankers paint a positive picture of the future even when numbers suggest otherwise.

According to Beuving, the idealized image of the homo economicus has been perpetuated by the media and ingrained in society. His book calls for a deeper understanding of the actual stories and actions of entrepreneurs, which often involve trial and error and are influenced by external circumstances beyond their control.

 

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Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.