Universitas Andalas Researcher Presents Indigenous Entrepreneurship Study at APSKI International Conference 2026
Universitas Andalas researcher Laura Amelia Triani presented a study highlighting the role of Minangkabau indigenous profit-sharing practices in fostering inclusive ANTARA News sumbar 41 ...
Padang (ANTARA) - Universitas Andalas researcher Laura Amelia Triani presented a study highlighting the role of Minangkabau indigenous profit-sharing practices in fostering inclusive entrepreneurship during The 4th APSKI International Conference 2026, held in Bali on July 22–23, 2026. The conference brought together scholars, researchers, and practitioners from various countries to discuss emerging issues in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the impact of technological transformation on future business development.
Presenting a paper entitled “How Indigenous Profit-Sharing Fosters Inclusive Entrepreneurship: A Phenomenological Study from the Minangkabau Community,” Laura shared findings from a collaborative research project conducted by scholars from Universitas Andalas and Swinburne University of Technology, Australia. The study explores how traditional profit-sharing arrangements embedded in Minangkabau culture create entrepreneurial opportunities for individuals who may lack access to conventional business resources such as capital and assets.
According to the research, indigenous profit-sharing systems enable individuals with different forms of resources—including land, labor, knowledge, social networks, and managerial expertise—to collaborate in productive economic activities. Rather than relying solely on formal contracts, these partnerships are sustained by values deeply rooted in the Minangkabau community, particularly trust, deliberation (musyawarah), transparency, and fairness.
The study employed a phenomenological approach and involved in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs from diverse sectors, including agriculture, livestock, fisheries, culinary businesses, services, retail, and small and medium-sized enterprises in West Sumatra. Through the participants’ lived experiences, the research identified how local governance practices facilitate resource mobilization, risk-sharing mechanisms, and collective decision-making processes that support entrepreneurial inclusion.
Laura explained that the findings challenge conventional perspectives on entrepreneurship, which often emphasize financial capital as the primary determinant of business participation. Instead, the study demonstrates that community-based arrangements can lower barriers to entry, broaden participation, and strengthen economic resilience through collaborative resource sharing.
One of the study’s key contributions is the introduction of the concept of Relational Resource Mobilization, a framework that explains how indigenous governance structures connect diverse community resources and transform them into entrepreneurial opportunities. The research argues that inclusive entrepreneurship can emerge from social relationships and collective action, rather than solely through formal institutional support.
The findings also reveal that success within indigenous entrepreneurship is not measured exclusively by financial returns. Participants associated business success with broader outcomes, including family welfare, community well-being, employment creation, ethical business conduct, and stronger social relationships. This perspective highlights the importance of shared prosperity as a central objective of entrepreneurship within indigenous communities.
By presenting the study at an international academic forum, Universitas Andalas continues to expand the global visibility of research grounded in Indonesian local wisdom. The conference provided an opportunity to showcase how indigenous knowledge systems can contribute to contemporary discussions on sustainable and inclusive economic development while offering alternative perspectives to mainstream entrepreneurship theories.
“Local wisdom should not be perceived merely as cultural heritage, but also as a valuable source of knowledge for addressing contemporary development challenges,” Laura said. “The Minangkabau experience demonstrates that community-based institutions can play a significant role in expanding entrepreneurial opportunities and promoting inclusive growth.”
This activity is funded by the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) on behalf of the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and managed under the EQUITY Program (Contract No. 4304/B3/DT.03.08/2025).