Entrepreneurship and collective growth in constrained communities in the Global South

Abstract

Entrepreneurship in the Global South has been questioned for its limited ability to generate growth. However, growth is typically studied using Schumpeter’s ideas, which better fit the advance and individualist Western world contexts. Consequently, this study investigates how growth occurs from necessity-oriented entrepreneurship in the Global South, incorporating the collectivism dimension. This study employed a qualitative approach, utilising a small community in coastal Ecuador as a case study and analysing the data through thematic analysis. The findings showed that entrepreneurs share resources and knowledge, forming associations to coordinate entrepreneurial activities, as collective growth is their view of development. We bring a new understanding of how growth occurs collectively in the Global South, emphasising that it encourages collaboration as a strategy