Trans-contextual work: doing entrepreneurial contexts in the periphery

Abstract

AbstractThis study explores how entrepreneurs “do” contexts in peripheral areas. Through the examination of changes in roles, practices, and relationships across peripheral areas in Chile, we found that substantive transformations result from the momentary repurposing of systems of provision, types of inter-dependencies, and sources of reliance within public, community, and family contexts. Drawing from the perspective of interstitial spaces and extensive data, this is done through three interwoven interaction rituals: support seeking, neighboring, and nesting. We abductively theorize the connection between these rituals as trans-contextual work. As entrepreneurs do contexts through trans-contextual work new entrepreneurial ideas, practices and artifacts begin to reorganize community resources and transform the commune’s social into an entrepreneurial life. Our research expands the current understanding of contextual change in peripheral areas and contextualization in entrepreneurship more broadly.