Fellow Entrepreneurs Research Articles

Integration of Concepts for the Learning Process of Textile Weaving at Lan Khoi Village, Phatthalung Province, Thailand

This research seeks to study (i) the local wisdom about the textile weaving production at Lan Khoi village and (ii) the pattern of integrating learning concepts and transferring knowledge in weaving at Lan Khoi village. Data from documents and fieldwork were analyzed and presented through descriptive analysis. The results indicated that the local knowledge about textile weaving at Lan Khoi village reveals that it encompasses a body of knowledge, capabilities, experiences, and traditions. The textiles and patterns found are predominantly hand-woven cotton with distinct patterns. Notably, there exists a design pattern rooted in tradition that has been handed down through generations. As the research revolved around teaching and learning, twenty participants were engaged in the weaving process to acquire weaving skills. The results also showed that the model for learning concepts to transfer knowledge about textile weaving in Lan Khoi village employs three key concepts: (1) crafting and utilizing a diverse range of products that cater to consumers’ needs and preferences, ensuring suitability for use, (2) enhancing value through product development by drawing on ideas and local knowledge to assist in weaving and pattern design during the product creation phase, and (3) facilitating product entry into the commercial market by establishing business networks, including collaboration with fellow entrepreneurs and leveraging online media for advertising. In summary, knowledge transfer serves as a means of preserving cultural wisdom, while learning the creative economy concept entails designing products that fulfill consumer needs, thereby adding value to the products and generating increased income for the community.

ГРАНТИ ПРОГРАМИ ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОЇ КОМІСІЇ «ЕРАЗМУС ДЛЯ МОЛОДИХ ПІДПРИЄМЦІВ»

The article discusses the main grant opportunities of the European Commission’s Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Program. It has been demonstrated that its support tools are unique for young entrepreneurs who have a desire to develop their own business. Emphasized: as of April 2024, entrepreneurs from 39 countries, including Ukraine, can participate in the program. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the Program helps budding entrepreneurs acquire the necessary skills to launch and successfully develop their business: representatives of SMEs exchange experience and business ideas with experienced entrepreneurs for 1-6 months, for which the Program allocates funding. It is noted that the European Commission partially finances the stay of entrepreneurs in another country. A distinctive feature of the Program has been demonstrated, namely that it is implemented through a network of intermediary organizations in each country, whose task is to implement the Program at the local level, attracting entrepreneurs and helping them to benefit from international exchanges. The advantage of the Program is outlined: a new entrepreneur gets the opportunity to study without breaking away from work in small or medium-sized enterprises of other countries, which will contribute to the effective start of a business or strengthen an existing business; the entrepreneur can also enter new markets, expand international cooperation and find potential partners abroad; the host entrepreneur has the opportunity to get fresh ideas from a motivated newcomer, which can be a beneficial addition to his own competencies. The article states that despite significant prospects for learning from the experience of fellow entrepreneurs, representatives of Ukrainian SMEs do not actively use the opportunities of the Exchange Program. The study demonstrates the performance indicators of Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the Exchange Program since 2020, and demonstrates the main reason why domestic business does not actively use the opportunities of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Program. Summarized: provided Ukrainian entrepreneurs are more aware of the benefits of the Program, Ukrainian business can feel its significant impact.

Is There a Differeance Performance Between Industry Base Smes in The Sarbagita Bali ? : A Comparative Approach

This study seeks to: 1) analyze differences in social capital, human resources, and financing sources of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on the industry in the Sarbagita Area, Bali Province; 2) analyze performance differences among SMEs based on the industry in the Sarbagita Area, Bali Province. By using a location-stratified random sampling technique to determine the number of samples and accidental sampling to determine respondents, this study used 203 SME business units. We used both primary and secondary data sources to generate quantitative and qualitative data. Data was ge rated by non-behavior observations, structured interviews, and in-depth interviews. The study then analyzed the data using the ANOVA analysis. The results show that: 1) the manufacturing and trade industries have different social capital; there is a difference in human resources between the trade and service Industries; the manufacturing and service industries have different financing sources, especially for internal financing sources while other financing sources do not exhibit different significant difference; 2) SMEs in the manufacturing and trade industries have different performance. Based on the results, this study suggests that: 1) SMEs need to rely on not only internal financing sources because external financing is sufficiently available with affordable interest rates; 2) SME owners need to enhance their networks with their fellow entrepreneurs or with their suppliers to improve their business performance.

Perceived Entrepreneurial Stress and Entrepreneurial Resilience; The Mediating Role of the Well-Being of Entrepreneurs and Moderating Role Perceived Online Social Support

This study investigated the effect of perceived entrepreneurial stress on entrepreneurial resilience with the well-being of an individual entrepreneur in mediating role and perceived online social support moderating this relationship. Using survey data collected from 204 entrepreneurs in two major towns in Kenya, considered entrepreneurial hubs were analyzed. To uncover this relationship, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the discriminant validity of the measurement model. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test four hypotheses in seven models to estimate direct, indirect and interaction effects. The results showed that perceived entrepreneurial stress and the well-being of individual entrepreneurs are significantly negatively related; this study also found out that the well-being of individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resilience are positively related. For moderation effect, perceived online social support positively moderated the relationship between the well-being of individual entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial resilience. Finally, to test the indirect effect, bootstrapping analysis was used to identify mediation effects. The bootstrapping indirect test results revealed that the well-being of individual entrepreneurs mediates the relationship between perceived entrepreneurial stress and entrepreneurial resilience. This study outlines online communities as an avenue where entrepreneurs can access online social support that can facilitate entrepreneurial resilience during crises and to foster resilience among entrepreneurs despite adversity, entrepreneurs need to consider making a culture of seeking and providing social support online to fellow entrepreneurs and online communities.

Assessment of Farmers' Participation in the Value Chain of Rice Entrepreneurial Activities in Kwara State, Nigeria

Entrepreneurship means creating wealth through togetherness of resources in new ways to start and operate an enterprise. Farmers can explore the enormous opportunities associated the value chain as source of livelihood. Pitching tent as an entrepreneur around rice value chain will serve as another source of income to compliment the profit to be generated during cultivation. The rate at which rural farmers involve in value chain is not encouraging and this has given room for the activities of middlemen and maximize the advantage at the detriment of the farmers. The study assessed the participation of farmers in the value chain of rice entrepreneurial activities in Kwara State, Nigeria, with the following objectives: identify sources of information available for the Rice Entrepreneurs; describe the attitude of rice entrepreneur towards rice entrepreneurial activities; assess the participation of rice entrepreneurial activities in the value chain. Multistage sampling technique was used to obtain primary data from 400 respondents in the study area using structured questionnaire. Structured interview schedule Findings revealed that fellow entrepreneurs (0.89) and radio (0.79) were the major source of the information of the respondents. Majority of the respondent have positive attitude towards rice entrepreneur activities in the study area. Also the respondent were majorly into processing and marketing value chain. The study concludes that the respondent participated greatly in processing and marketing. The study recommends that the government to make policy that will mobilize more women into rice entrepreneurs activities to improve their standard of living and Agricultural extension agent should be more proactive in services delivery.

IMPLEMENTASI ETIKA BISNIS ISLAM DALAM PELAYANAN JASA

Every businessman must apply ethics properly. With the correct application of ethics, the business activities carried out will run correspondingly to the applicable religious rules. Ethics that must be considered in doing business include ethics with fellow entrepreneurs, employees, customers and the community. This research is a qualitative research that uses descriptive analysis, which describes all the data that the researcher collects, both from the results of observations, interviews and documentation during research at CV. HAZHA Banyuwangi about the implementation of Islamic business ethics in services.
 Based on the results of the study indicate that Islamic business ethics in CV. HAZHA has been applied in serving consumers. The ethics applied are correspondingly to what is taught in Islam. This can be seen from the existence of excellent service, the quality of the products marketed, always keeping promises in accordance with the agreement, determining prices evenly, the existence of activities in the form of worship and so on. Consumers get satisfactory goods and services, they are always polite and friendly in serving and listening to customer complaints. Supporting factors that affect the progress of CV. HAZHA is all parts, both internal and external parts. Internal parts are the cooperation of employees who support each other, quality goods and excellent service while the external part is customer loyalty. The inhibiting factors experienced by CV. HAZHA are a very short time gap between ordering, processing and delivery, because report card cover and certificate folders are only needed in certain months

PKM Socialization and Training on Financial Reports and Optimizing Digitization of the Economy in Development UKM/UMKM House of Friends of Mother, Medan Helvetia Village

Rumah Kawan Bunda is a forum for empowering women in entrepreneurship. Rumah Kawan Bunda has various educational and collaboration programs to increase the production and sales of its members. The purpose of Rumah Kawan Bunda itself is as a space for women entrepreneurs who want to improve their entrepreneurial competence as well as a place for education and business collaboration between fellow entrepreneurs. It can be said that Rumah Kawan Bunda is the answer for women entrepreneurs who want to advance their business and increase their competence in selling both online and offline in this digital era. To continue to support the development of MSME players so that they can be competitive and contribute to the national economy, it is necessary to take steps to motivate and support MSMEs by providing guidance and assistance so that they can be more focused. Therefore, we will conduct socialization and assistance to MSMEs in preparing financial reports so that they can be used as decision-making tools in calculating business profits, and can increase access to capital to get investors. In addition, to overcome the problems of MSMEs, namely access to market products in the face of free trade and the 4.0 revolution, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can take advantage of electronic commerce or E-commerce as a means of marketing their products.

Society's Entrepreneurship During The Pandemic Through The Water Hyacinth Handicraft in The Village of Walahar Klari Distric of West Java

This research was motivated by the problem of the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic which resulted in many people being unemployed and the large number of water hyacinth plants were only considered garbage in Walahar. This condition is seen as an opportunity and a challenge in exploiting the potential of the region. Efforts to overcome this are by opening job vacancies, making entrepreneurial training from raw materials for water hyacinth waste. The objectives of this study are to: a). Obtaining information about increasing community entrepreneurship during the Covid 19 pandemic through water hyacinth crafts. b). To find out what the supporting and inhibiting factors are. c). To find out the results of increasing community entrepreneurship during the Covid 19 pandemic through water hyacinth handicrafts (case study in Desa Walahar Kec. Klari Kab. Karawang Prov. Jawa Barat). To answer the formulation of research problems that have been formulated, the author uses a qualitative approach with the case study method. To explain the phenomena that appear in the field. The research sources are: a). Sources of information, namely the chairman and owner of water hyacinth handicrafts UKM Kab. Karawang "UKM Putri Eceng" namely Mrs. Sambinah; and the Head of the Dinas Koperasi & UMKM Kab. Karawang; who can provide data. b). Informant sources, namely three freelance or community employees who work in the UKM Putri Eceng Kab. Karawang. The results of this study indicate that using a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats as follows: (1) Strength: getting support from husbands, families, communities, the Government of Karawang Regency, Central Government, Consumers, getting capital and support from private companies, can read business opportunities in the market. (2) Weaknesses: Raw materials that will decrease over time, weather for drying water hyacinths, and initial capital to establish entrepreneurship. (3). Opportunities: improving the economy, selling handicrafts, utilizing abundant water hyacinth waste, generating income (money), introducing local tourism and culture, increasing creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship, creating job vacancies for the local community. (4) Threats: competitors of fellow entrepreneurs who process water hyacinth in the marketing world.

Nursing Entrepreneurship Development: Literature Review

Background : Entrepreneurship in nursing has enormous and promising opportunities for a nurse. It includes palliative care / home care, nursing counseling, caregiver training, physiotherapy services and others. However, the development of entrepreneurship in nursing still faces several obstacles.Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the development of entrepreneurship in nursing.Method The method used in this study was literature review. Several data bases including Google schoolar, Garuda, National Library, DOAJ, PubMed, Sciencedirect, and Proquest were used. Keywords were chosenin accordance with MESH (Medical Subject Heading), including “kewirausahaan keperawatan”, “hambatan kewirausahaan keperawatan”,"mahasiswa keperawatan", "nursing entrepreneurship", "nursing entrepreneurial", "barrier of nursing entrepreneur", "opportunities of nursing entrepreneur”, and “nursing student” in April 2020. Based on the search results there were 4 national and 4 international articles related to the topic and match the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings Findings from 8 articles indicated that obstacles faced by entrepreneur nurses were more due to a lack of entrepreneurial knowledge, experience, and skills. There are several ways to overcome obstacles that occur in nursing entrepreneurship, namely: increasing entrepreneurial knowledge and experience, identifying opportunities via internet or social media, and always interacting among fellow entrepreneurs, patients and the community to find opportunities that have never been found before. The solution to develop nursing entrepreneurship is to increase the interest, knowledge, skills, training and experience of nursing entrepreneurs. This research is expected to be used as an evaluation of entrepreneurship learning and nursing entrepreneurship development programs.Conclusion In conclusion, the development of nursing entrepreneurship is still facing some obstacles that need to be overcome. The main key lies in increasing knowledge, interests and skills through entrepreneurial training and education.

Perceived problems with collateral: The value of informal networking

Many businesses in emerging economies are financially constrained due to their limited use of formal loans. Recent evidence suggests that negative perceptions discourage entrepreneurs from applying for loans. One of the main issues entrepreneurs mention is unattainable collateral requirements. In this paper, we contribute to this line of research by investigating the effect of networking with fellow entrepreneurs on perceived collateral problems. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data originating from female entrepreneurs in Tanzania, we find that through networking, entrepreneurs are exposed to stories of their peers’ experiences with loans which influence their perceptions of formal loans. While existing research suggests that networking generally eases access to finance, we find that the effect depends on the type of networking. Informal networking reduces problems with collateral while formal networking increases problems. Additionally, we find that once entrepreneurs come into contact with formal loans, they are less likely to report problems with collateral. Our results suggest that networking with fellow entrepreneurs, especially in a formal manner, leads to an overestimation of perceived collateral problems paving the way for borrower discouragement.

ETIKA MARKETING DALAM PERSPEKTIF EKONOMI ISLAM

Marketing is a human activity that is directed to meet the needs and desires through the exchange process. While marketing in the view of Islam is an application of strategic discipline in accordance with sharia values ​​and principles. Assessment of business success is not only determined by increasing economic and financial achievements, but success must also be measured through benchmarks of morality and ethical values ​​on the basis of social values ​​in religion. The type of this research is library research (library research), which is a data collection which is carried out directly on an object to obtain data. This research uses a normative approach which is research based on theories and marketing concepts in Islam. From the results of this discussion it was concluded that, Islamic marketing teaches marketers to be honest with consumers or others. Sharia values ​​prevent marketers from falling into values ​​that must be upheld by a marketer. Four forms of marketing in Islamic Economic Ethics that guide marketing as Rabbaniyah, Akhlaqiyyah, Al-Waqiyyah and Insaniyyah. Some things that must be considered as marketing ethics in the perspective of Islamic economics are having a good and spiritual personality (taqwa), being fair in business, having a good personality and and respecting people's rights and property correctly, serving consumers humbly, always keeping promises and no cheating in marketing, honest and trustworthy and not excessive in advertising goods, do not like to prejudice and bad-mouthing the merchandise of others, do not make bribes (risywah), all forms of marketing activities must provide benefits to many parties and cooperate with each other and provide benefits with the aim of welfare among fellow entrepreneurs.

Influencing Factors of Internet Usage among Women Entrepreneurs

Malaysian women are recognised to play a major role in the growth of local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Previous studies show that ICT is an important factor influencing the growth of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. This study aims to analyse the Internet skills among women entrepreneurs and the influencing factors encouraging them to use Internet in their business activities. A survey was conducted on 51 women entrepreneurs in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The study showed positive relationship between Internet skills and influencing factors on Internet usage in business. However, only factors “ease of use” and “social influence” have significant relationships toward the intention of Internet usage among the entrepreneurs. Thus, Internet usage among the entrepreneurs are inflluenced by the ease of use of technology and social factors. Social influence from media, family members and fellow entrepreneurs have pushed these business women to use Internet as a new medium to improve their business activities.

ANALISIS POLA PEMBIAYAAN PRODUK TURUNAN PALA SEBAGAI KOMODITI PANGAN UNGGULANDI PROVINSI SULAWESI UTARA

Analysis of the financing pattern of nutmeg derivative products as featured food commodities in North Sulawesi province is important because Pala as a unique commodity that has economic value of an important food in the area. Nutmeg plant parts that have economic value is part of the fruit is composed of 83.3 per cent of the fruit flesh; 3.22 percent mace; Shell beans 3.94 percent, and 9.54 percent of the meat seeds. The specific objective of this study is to identify the type and Value Added Food Products Derived Pala as seed and analyze the pattern of financing products derived nutmeg as featured food commodities in North Sulawesi Province. This research was conducted in the central areas of the North Sulawesi province Pala in Sitaro Islands Regency (Sitaro). Identification will be conducted on several types of meat derived products will be analyzed nutmeg and nutmeg as a development financing patterns featured food commodities in North Sulawesi Province. The results showed that there are three types of food products derived nutmeg seed as the Dodo Nutmeg, Nutmeg Butter and Syrup Pala. Household businesses are identified financed by Four Types of Financing Pattern. They are the Financing Pattern of Government, Financing Pattern of Banking through Bank Indonesia, Pattern Loan Financing fellow entrepreneurs who have capital and Financing Pattern Alone. Featured Product Development Food must be improved by facilitating the entrepreneurs to get venture capital to increase the capacity of the Financing Patterns provided, or by credit facilities from banks.

Practising Customer Service by Trial and Error: An Investigation into the Extent and Nature of Customer Service Training/Education Received by Owners of Small Business Enterprises in Central Johannesburg

This paper looks at the extent and nature of customer service training received by owners of small business enterprises operating in central Johannesburg. Areas of the city covered in the study included Doornfontern, Jourbert Park and Hillbrow. The sample of small business owners who took part in the study consisted mainly of entrepreneurs in the retail of groceries, fast food, clothing and electrical gadgets. The survey method, using the questionnaire as a data gathering tool was used to collect the data. Semi-structured interviews were also used to follow-up on some of the issues that emerged from the responses to the questionnaire. It was established that most of the entrepreneurs had not received any formal training in such aspects of customer service as communication, hiring, training and retaining the best talent, creation of customer retention strategies, analysis of the business environment, creation of customer value and careful selection of pricing strategies, most of which are employed by established businesses. The entrepreneurs therefore gained some of these critical business skills by trial and error, from fellow entrepreneurs or in some cases, from family members such as parents. It was, however, also established that some of the entrepreneurs had received some form of formal training in some aspects of customer service through their own initiatives, those of the business associations that they belong to or those of government agencies under whose patronage they fall. All the entrepreneurs who took part in the study, however, still felt that more could still be done in terms of providing them with the training in customer service as it is critical for business success. Amongst other suggestions, the paper recommends the institutionalisation of training in customer service and other aspects of business such as finance, strategic planning and human resources management for entrepreneurs in central Johannesburg in a bid to improve the chances of their businesses’ success in the face of stiff competition from the big and well-established competitors. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p1475

Informal credit institutions in transition countries: a study of urban money lenders in post-communist Uzbekistan

Research on informal financial institutions in transition economies is scant. This study investigates behaviour of urban money lenders in Uzbekistan. Money lending in Uzbekistan is a relatively new business which emerged mostly in response to targeted demand from fellow entrepreneurs during transition. We find that their lending behaviour is more stringent than suggested by previous studies of rural money lenders. They always require collateral, do not engage with the poor and avoid lending for consumption purposes. Their lending is short-term and targeted on specific business opportunities which enjoy healthy cash flows and offer quick returns. They have limited outreach from serving networks of connections within small geographical localities. Since they rely exclusively on their own resources for loanable funds, they often have to ration their loans. They actively use all available information and instruments to reduce default risks. Although borrowers live in closer geographical proximity to lenders in urban areas, they are also engaged in various heterogeneous activities and are more self-reliant with respect to the local community, which reduces the accuracy of money lenders' assessment of the character of borrowers as well as of their ability to repay.

Playing Both Sides of the Market: Success and Reciprocity on Crowdfunding Platforms

Crowdfunding platforms constitute two-sided markets, bringing together entrepreneurs and potential backers; this peer-based fundraising schema introduces new dynamics into the fundraising process. We focus on platform agents who play on both sides of the market, supporting the ventures of their fellow entrepreneurs and subsequently raising money for their own venture. Acting on both sides of the market is a peer-economy phenomenon that has not yet received much attention. We find that an entrepreneur’s backing-history has a significant effect on financing outcomes; campaigns initiated by entrepreneurs who have previously supported others have higher success rates, attract more backers and collect more funds. We find evidence that supports the existence of a causal channel from playing both sides of the market to increased crowdfunding success. We also provide evidence as to the existence of reciprocity. Project owners back their backers, when possible, at a rate that is significantly higher than other comparable projects. We estimate the effect of such actions on the performance of crowdfunding campaigns and show that playing both sides of the market is a rewarding strategy.

The Start Uprising: Eighteen Months of the Startup America Partnership

The Startup America Partnership (SUAP) was launched in January 2011 at the White House to act as an independent private-sector alliance to increase the development, prevalence, and success of innovative, high-growth, U.S. firms. The founding chairman was Steve Case, the co-founder of AOL, CEO of Revolution LLC, and chairman of the Case Foundation. The Case Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation provided launch funding.In nearly two years of operations, SUAP has developed a unique perspective on the many efforts intended to stimulate startups. Its earliest efforts focused on delivering free or low-cost services to entrepreneurs and connecting them with large corporations.In mid-2012, SUAP changed direction to become a hub for strong, regional communities of entrepreneurs. This shift responds to the observation that the central problem for entrepreneurs is a lack of connectedness.Too many entrepreneurs are disconnected from each other; from their communities; from their towns, cities, and states; from potential customers, funders, and talent; and from the many other resources that could help them.SUAP hopes to nourish these connections by listening closely to what entrepreneurs say they want and trying to provide it. This effort starts with developing communities of mentors, role models, and fellow entrepreneurs who can sustain and validate each other.SUAP believes it can be a catalyst for a movement of entrepreneurs led by entrepreneurs. It believes this will be created bottom-up, not top-down. Through developing relationships, fostering knowledge, and enabling opportunity, money, customers, and talent will follow.More than halfway through its original mandate of three years, SUAP hopes to leave behind a kind of startup operating system, a medium for entrepreneurial communities and individual entrepreneurs to share startup “apps.” These “apps” can range from ideas for funding to models of weekly gatherings to help founders improve their product pitches — anything that helps startups thrive.The guiding principles for this operating system are: a belief in loose communities of entrepreneurs rather than an organizational hierarchy; propagating from what exists, rather than creating from scratch; embracing, not resisting, disruption; patience to develop communities over years, not weeks; celebrating success; and, above all, focusing on entrepreneurs.

The Significance of Variation in Local States: The Case of Twentieth Century China

When I was conducting fieldwork on post-Mao taxation and public finance in China during the early 1990s, I was surprised to discover that county officials in Tianjin in the north were still using Maoist mass campaign tactics to deter tax evasion. I was even more surprised to discover that county officials in Guangdong in the south said they had never heard of such a thing, were appalled by it, and relied instead only on persuasion and nonconfrontational methods. In Tianjin county tax officials dragged convicted tax evaders onto a stage and detailed their crimes to an audience of a thousand fellow entrepreneurs and anyone else who cared to watch the criticism session on local television. Meanwhile, in Guangdong entrepreneurs attended small study sessions where they read about a few egregious cases of tax evasion. The two localities' methods of countering tax evasion illustrated that officials were dealing with social groups and with resistance in different ways. How could two such different approaches to the same problem of tax evasion exist side by side in the same governmental system, especially one that is usually assumed to have a powerful, homogenizing central government? In fact, such differences in local state practice are common across many policy areas, not simply taxation, in China. What are the sources of this variation in local state structure and practice, and what are its overall consequences for the implementation of central policy, for state-society relations, for state capacity, and even for the survival of the central state? Variation in local state structure and practice-local state variation, for short-is a neglected topic in political science. Local state structure is defined as the organization of local government, and local state practice is defined as the way local governments implement central policy and make and implement their own policy in the absence of higher-level guidance. In political science, local state structure and practice have until recently been discussed only as the objects of central government standardization efforts. For example, the classic studies of the formation of central states examine why and how patterns of intrastate difference were suppressed or erased rather than how they developed.1 The standard narrative of state formation emphasizes processes of bureaucratization, centralization, and homogenization that eliminated local differences of many kinds.2 This approach loses sight of the ways