Hybrid forms of business: Understanding the development of indigenous social entrepreneurship practices

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted on indigenous social entrepreneurship practices in Latin America. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of indigenous social entrepreneurship practices in Colombia drawing on postcolonial theory and in particular Bhabha's mimicry and hybridity theoretical framework. Using participatory video research, this work draws upon evidence from a multiple case study of five indigenous communities (Curripaco, Puinave, Yanacona, Misak and Wayuu) in three geographic regions. The analysis of the multiple case study using NVIVO, discovered that indigenous social enterprises operate as hybrid organisations that are influenced by their cultural practices, as well as the dominant Western forms legitimised by SE norms (mimicry). This paper brings into attention the importance of the hybrid forms of businesses and community's sustainable development.