NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS AND STRATEGIC CHOICE

Abstract

In a study of 149 entrepreneurs operating businesses in heavily Native American indigenous communities, no significant differences were found in three constructs of entrepreneurial business orientation and two constructs of small business orientation between Native American entrepreneurs and majority entrepreneurs. Community development officials can use the findings to lay the foundation for cultivating entrepreneurship among all community residents as no significant differences between indigenous and majority small business owners in their strategic choices of entrepreneurial and small business orientations was found. This information allows development officials to approach all potential entrepreneurs with a common method.