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Narrating the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a Scottish fishing community 1934‐2004

Narrating the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a Scottish fishing community 1934‐2004 Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to explore the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a “Scottish Fishing Community”, namely the village of Gourdon in Kincardineshire, Scotland over a 60‐year period. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the material in a historical perspective, as remembered by two persons who lived through the experience. Using two ethnographic accounts the paper reconstructs a vivid picture of a thriving form of subsistence type entrepreneurship, in a bygone era, when enterprise was more closely bonded to community activities, the work ethic and pride. Findings – This paper narrates a dramatic story relating to the economic decline visited upon a living community by the forces of market change affecting multiple income streams. In this tale, there are no heroes or villains, as is normal in narrative accounts, merely victims of changing circumstances and changing patterns of social action. Research limitations/implications – The results of this research paper have obvious limitations, because of the methodology employed, and because of the limited number of respondents interviewed. However, socio‐historical studies such as this have their place in developing an understanding of entrepreneurship as enacted in individual communities. Originality/value – This paper tackles an under‐researched area of rural entrepreneurship using narrative methods which bring the subject to life. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research Emerald Publishing

Narrating the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a Scottish fishing community 1934‐2004

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References (40)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1355-2554
DOI
10.1108/13552550610644472
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to explore the decline of subsistence entrepreneurship in a “Scottish Fishing Community”, namely the village of Gourdon in Kincardineshire, Scotland over a 60‐year period. Design/methodology/approach – Presents the material in a historical perspective, as remembered by two persons who lived through the experience. Using two ethnographic accounts the paper reconstructs a vivid picture of a thriving form of subsistence type entrepreneurship, in a bygone era, when enterprise was more closely bonded to community activities, the work ethic and pride. Findings – This paper narrates a dramatic story relating to the economic decline visited upon a living community by the forces of market change affecting multiple income streams. In this tale, there are no heroes or villains, as is normal in narrative accounts, merely victims of changing circumstances and changing patterns of social action. Research limitations/implications – The results of this research paper have obvious limitations, because of the methodology employed, and because of the limited number of respondents interviewed. However, socio‐historical studies such as this have their place in developing an understanding of entrepreneurship as enacted in individual communities. Originality/value – This paper tackles an under‐researched area of rural entrepreneurship using narrative methods which bring the subject to life.

Journal

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and ResearchEmerald Publishing

Published: Jan 1, 2006

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Scotland; Agricultural and fishing industries; Rural areas; History; Work ethic

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