Instigating transformative entrepreneurship in subsistence communities: Supporting leaders' transcendence and self-determination

Abstract

This research exposes a process of bottom-up development that supports leaders’ transcendent motives and self-determination needs to instigate transformative entrepreneurship within their communities. The process is illuminated by actions taken in development organizations working within subsistence communities. Findings reveal that as community leaders and members served by these organizations experience fulfillment of their need for transcendence and self-determination they become change-agents in their communities. Development organizations support the move from personal transcendence to taking action, as they empower, connect, and equip community leaders to become the change they want in their communities. When leaders take action, they launch initiatives in the form of transformative entrepreneurship, provide services, fuel much-needed economic growth, and stimulate a positive upward spiral of wellbeing in communities. This research contributes a practical, holistic, yet nuanced, grounded theory useful for development of initiatives to instigate transformative effort that targets wellbeing uplift in impoverished and oppressed communities.