Narrative research on "Bothra": an Indian family firm

• Published in: Society and business review Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 131 - 148
• Main Authors: Kar, Surjit Kumar, Samantarai, Munmun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 01.01.2011
• Subjects: Caste; Culture; Democracy; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Ethnicity; Families & family life; Family owned businesses; Jainism; Leadership; Retailing industry; Social capital; Storytelling; Studies; India; Leadership; Storytelling; Entrepreneurship; Restorying; Genetic intelligence; Narrative enquiry; Narrative research; India
• ISSN: 1746-5680; 1746-5699
• DOI: 10.1108/17465681111143957

Purpose - The purpose of this case study is to understand effect of Indian ethos, socio-cultural setup, etc. on growth of family-based business; impact of ethnicity and genetic intelligence on development of entrepreneurial traits, etc. in family business contexts in India.Design methodology approach - The approach takes a single case study on an organized retail firm named Bothra Megabazar Private Limited in Rourkela, India to comprehend the established theories and literature on emergence and spread of business community class in India known for its own ethos and values as a country. As a part of narrative enquiry method in qualitative research, it collects the narratives of central and peripheral characters in the respective business house through "story telling" and by "restorying" the same, understands and explains the family-based entrepreneurial journey amidst business dynamics.Findings - The important findings of this case study are manifold. It finds that there is inter-connectedness of different aspects amounting for success growth of family business entrepreneurs and enterprises. Some of these factors are deep-seated Indian ethos and values, multiple family and social networks, joint and undivided family structure, inheritance of family business down the generations, financial backing from members of family and social networks, long standing experience in trade, genetic intelligence across generations, internal capacity building with unique style of leadership and high-risk appetite, etc.Research limitations implications - With its focus on one specific community like Bani(y)as or Marwaris in Indian business society, the case may not justify the understandings on genetic intelligence in case of other communities class. However, the study elaborates scope of future studies in the same direction.Practical implications - Practicing managers and research scholars can use this case for understanding of the key success growth factors behind socio-culturally guided family-based business enterprises.Originality value - The paper presents a case that is original.