Indigenous Rural Entrepreneurialism and Social Venturing Within Native Alaskan and Canadian Aboriginal Communities: An Empirical Analysis of Critical Success Factors and Socio-Economic Benefits of Alaska Native Corporations

Abstract

This research examines the correlation between Alaskan Native Corporations’ corporate social responsibility investment strategies and their impact on effectively creating entrepreneurial opportunities for Alaskan Native communities. Our analysis begins by examining factors affecting the alignment of Alaska Native Corporation values with indigenous cultural values (Anders & Anders, 1987). It then builds off further from previous research into social entrepreneurship and indigenous people (Curry, Donker, & Michel, 2016). We reviewed existing literature addressing connections between indigenous culture and entrepreneurial opportunities (Bardy, Drew, & Kennedy, 2011) and then adapted Donker, et. al.’s (2008) research model for assessing the relationship between corporate values and firm performance to establish a method for data collection and analysis. We hypothesize that there is a significantly positive and strong correlation between economic community development and corporate financial performance when Alaska Native cultural values are integrated into Alaska Native Corporations, when gender diversity is promoted in leadership roles within the corporations and within entrepreneurial businesses within Alaska Native communities, and when serious reasonable efforts are made to promote social well-being, economic, and educational development. In our assessment of cultural values and their impact on firm performance in Alaska Native Corporations, we used H. Donker, et. al.’s (2008) research model for assessing the relationship between corporate values and firm performance to provide a method for data collection and analysis. We also examined publicly available data regarding socio-economic factors to gauge labor participation including unemployment rates, high school Indigenous Rural Entrepreneurialism and Social Venturing in Alaska graduation rates, and student performance. This data was correlated with Alaska Native Corporation community investment programs to evaluate connections and test our hypothesis. We examined the gender diversity of Alaska Native Corporations Board of Directors to identify any impacts on firm performance, specifically how the gender diversity of corporate executive boards impacts investments in communities. Our data sample focused on the twelve regional Alaska Native Corporations, their respective non-profit foundations, and their affiliated communities.