Marginalization and Organizational Tensions: The Case of Indigenous Entrepreneurs of Wendake

Abstract

Based on a qualitative study of indigenous entrepreneurship in Wendake, an indigenous community in Quebec, this paper offers three main contributions to the literature on indigenous entrepreneurship and organizational tensions. First, it conceptualizes four dimensions of the marginality of indigenous entrepreneurs. Then, it presents and analyzes three permanent tensions that are inherent to indigenous entrepreneurship related to identity (individualism or collectivism), approach (conformity or differentiation), and scope (openness or isolation). Finally, this paper suggests that indigenous businesses are marked by a phenomenon of double marginality, both at the intra- community (internal) and the society level (external).