Two forms of community entrepreneurship in Finland: Are there differences between Finnish and Sámi reindeer husbandry entrepreneurs?
Every reindeer herder in Finland belongs to one of 56 co-operatives, each known as a <italic>paliskunta</italic>. In addition, some reindeer owners herd using the folkloric <italic>siida</italic> model of co-operation. Content analysis of interviews conducted with reindeer herders -- referred to as reindeer husbandry entrepreneurs, by the Reindeer Herders’ Association -- from two ethnic communities in Finland, reveals that respondents who identified themselves as ethnic Finns viewed their self-employment as an individualistic form of entrepreneurship and they focused their discussion on matters related to <italic>financial capital</italic> and profit. In contrast, Sámi respondents claimed that a significant causal variable behind their herding was maintenance of a cultural tradition and not necessarily limited to the maximization of financial profits. Sámi respondents spoke much about their cooperative <italic>siida</italic> (a fluid, informal grouping of herders who voluntarily co-operate), and the <italic>social capital</italic> it involved; and about reindeer herding skills that are acquired on the job, i.e. <italic>human capital</italic>; and also about aptitudes, beliefs, customs, habits, interests, lifestyle and round-up traditions, reflecting the fact that considerable <italic>cultural capital</italic> is passed from adults to children in the course of primary socialization. A consequence of family participation in various aspects of community-based reindeer herding is that Sámi children learn the occupation from a young age.
Year of publication: |
2011
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Authors: | Dana, Léo-Paul ; Light, Ivan |
Published in: |
Entrepreneurship & Regional Development. - Taylor & Francis Journals, ISSN 0898-5626. - Vol. 23.2011, 5-6, p. 331-352
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Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis Journals |
Saved in:
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