Nuria Toledano

Socio-Cultural Factors and Transnational Entrepreneurship: A Multiple Case Study in Spain

This article addresses theoretical and empirical issues concerning the emergent field of transnational entrepreneurship. We discuss issues regarding the antecedents of transnational entrepreneurship focusing specifically on the socio-cultural factors affecting this phenomenon in the Spanish context. Entrepreneurship, ethnic and transnational entrepreneurship literature is combined with institutional approach to explain what and how different socio-cultural factors influence the emergence and development of transnational entrepreneurship in Catalonia (in the north-east of Spain). We do this by looking at four case studies of transnational entrepreneurs with different ethnicity (Ecuadorian, Latin American; Moroccan, North African; Chinese, Asian; and Romanian, Eastern European). Important differences between socio-cultural factors that affect the emergence of transnational entrepreneurship (role models, immigrants’ entrepreneurial attitudes) and those that facilitate the development of transnational entrepreneurial activities (transnational networks and immigrants’ perceptions of the culture and opportunities of the host society) are found.

Social entrepreneurship in South Africa: a different narrative for a different context

Purpose – This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, paying special attention to the new narratives that are emerging about this phenomenon in the context of Africa.Design/methodology/approach – The paper addresses this issue, by comparing the meanings of what is called “social” in this context and in developed areas. The papers particular interest in the use of language and narratives is grounded in the experience of how narratives and stories are genuinely constitutive and perfomative of peoples actions.Findings – This paper reveals that “social” in the social entrepreneurship narratives does not necessarily have the same meaning in different contexts. Specifically, when the phenomenon is re‐interpreted in the context of the discourses that come from a developing area such as South Africa, it adds flexibility and a more local sense to the entrepreneurs social missions.Research limitations/implications – The study was affected by the limited a...

Virtuous entrepreneurs: a rethinking of the way to create relational trust in a global economy

Globalisation has changed the economic environment in which firms operate. Doing business in a globalised world implies paying attention to the multiple strands of interconnections that occur through the markets. The new scenarios bring new challenges to the entrepreneurs who have to deal with unfamiliar contexts, foreign cultures and different religions. In such environments virtuous entrepreneurs, that is those whose personal virtues make them trustworthy in the business arena, seem to develop and achieve better business relationships. In this paper, the main interdependences that exist between the globalised economy and the international entrepreneurship phenomenon are analysed along with the theoretical ways through which virtuous entrepreneurs could develop a genuine trust in their interpersonal relationships.

Leading self, teams and organizations from a female perspective: An exploration of the women leaders' journey

This paper seeks to capture the characteristics that prevail in the leadership styles of women leaders paying special attention to their individual leaders’ journeys. The study reviews the theoretical models of leadership and feminist theory that are particularly pertinent from the discussion of women leadership. A narrative approach is adopted for analyzing two women leaders’ journeys –Mary Kay and Mother Teresa– who succeeded in very different contexts. The stories exemplify some of the most important attributes that have been highlighted to play a focal role in current leadership research. The findings suggest that women lead teams and organizations through an authentic leadership and a genuine position of service, once they have become masters in self-leadership. n n Key words: Leadership, gender, women, transformational leadership, servant leadership, self-leadership.

Morality, religious writings, and entrepreneurship education: An integrative proposal using the example of Christian narratives

Abstract Success and failure in entrepreneurship affects not only entrepreneurs but also many participants in their entrepreneurial relationships. Studies have led us to consider the social and moral dimensions within entrepreneurship education. Doubts arise, however, when one asks how moral principles can be included in entrepreneurship education in order to produce more socially responsible graduates. In the current debate, the role that religions may play in providing moral teachings for entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important, and religious narratives as educational tools are growing in significance. In this article we present an integrative proposal using as an example Christian narratives taken from the Epistle of St James.