Entrepreneurship, values, and Muslim values: some insights from Minangkabau entrepreneurs

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine personal values and entrepreneurship in a Muslim society. Some insights are taken from Minangkabau entrepreneurs who come from a devoted Muslim society in Indonesia. They are migrant entrepreneurs who go to new environments which offer intense business competition. This represents a huge challenge for them. The present study used individual interviews of a sample of 15 Minangkabau entrepreneurs. Four themes have been identified from the interviews and they indicate that most of the interviewees see Islam and Minangkabau culture as providing the stimulus for becoming entrepreneurs. They do however encounter difficulty in achieving a balance between individualism and collectivism in their current situations. The paper highlights the uneasiness of entrepreneurs within a Muslim society seeking to maintain their own values without these inhibiting organisational innovations. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study which addresses the importance of values among Minangkabau entrepreneurs in dealing with a new emerging and dynamic market (Indonesia). The present study has also identified some problems in implementing innovation among Minangkabau entrepreneurs within the context of both Minangkabau and Muslim values.