Embeddedness as a differentiating element of indigenous entrepreneurship: Insights from Mexico

The present work aims to know the motives of why Indigenous entrepreneurs start com-panies, as well as how the characteristics of these groups influence the motives for company creation and determine entrepreneurial behavior. Through qualitative research, using interviews from five Indigenous entrepreneurs in Mexico, and the comparative case studies, this research identifies the motivators and characteristics of Indigenous entrepreneurs, as well as community embeddedness as an element of core business, without which company creation could not happen. The results show that embeddedness, identity, comunalidad (communal way of life), and worldview contribute posi-tively to entrepreneurial project achievements, which also impact the community itself. Recommen-dations for different economic and social agents, concerning supporting the sustainability of Indigenous communities, and the protection of their culture and historical legacies, are derived from this study.