PATTERN IN THE CULTURE OF MINANGKABAU TRIBE IN

,
MERANTAU' . AN INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURIAL LEARNING
PATTERN IN THE CULTURE OF MINANGKABAU TRIBE IN
INDONESIA
Hafiz Rahman
Andalas University, Padang
e-mai I : hafi z.rahman@fekon.unand.ac. id
ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper is to expose an informal entrepreneurial learning pattem that is undertaken by the
Minangkabau tribe in Indonesia and relate it to cultural dimension and perceived value of a society. This
informal entrepreneurial learning pattern is called as'Merantau' - which can simply be meant as'to emigrate' ,
in which the young males (mostly during the ages of l5-20, or even younger) leave their homeland; move to
other places nationwide or abroad, and running entrepreneurial activities for their daily life. The existence of
merantau as an informal cultural based entrepreneurial leaming for the young Minangkabau tribe combined
with their cultural dimension and perceived values have contributed to the creation of and bring positive
impacts to entrepreneurial culture of the Minangkabau tribe. The Minangkabau tribe, as one of tribes in
Indonesia, experiences very supportive social environment in which entrepreneurial culture is recognised as
part of the way of life. Therefore, Minangkabau tribe is known as one of the most entrepreneurial tribes in
Indonesia. This paper considers perceived value and cultural dimension that may bring consequence to
entrepreneurial culture of a society, with particular analysis to Minangkabau tribe in Indonesia. Analysis is
undertaken by considering the elements and index ofcultural dimension and perceived values ofa society that
can create and intiate entreprenuerial habits and relate them to entrepreneurship. Result ofthe analysis shows
an evidence that culture ofa society also plays an important role to create and maintain entrepreneurial habits
and experience ofa society. Together with cultural dimension ofa society, perceived values that a society has,
also.contributes to the creation ofentrepreneurial culture ofthat society. This is shown in the context ofthe
Minangkabau tribe who is well known as an entrepreneurial tribe in Indonesia. However, this study analyses
one single cultural background from a specific tribe in Indonesia and since it was undertaken to a single
cultural background, it will be worth to extend this study and investigation into several cultural and value
backgrounds from various ethnic groups/tribes in Indonesia or any other countries. Comparatively, this will
add knowledge and dimension regarding entrepreneurship and its relationship to cultural dimension and
perceived values of a society/community/ethnic group.
Keywords: Merantau, Informal Entrepreneurial Learning, Cultural Dimension, Perceived Value.
ABSTRAK
Tujuan dari makalah ini adalah untuk menjelaskan pola pembelajaran kewirausahqqn informal yang
dilakukan oleh suku Minangkabau di Indonesia serta mengkaitkannya dengan dimensi budrya dan nilai
masyarakat yang didapat. Pola pembelajaran kewirausahaan informal ini disebut 'Merantau' - yang dapat
diartikan sebagai "beremigrasi", dimana laki-laki muda (sebagian besar berumur 15-20 tahun atau lebih
muda) meninggalkan tarah air mereka; pindah ke luar kota atdu luar negeri, dan menjalankan kegiatan
kewirausahaan dqlam kesehariannya. Keberqdaan "merdntau" sebagai budqta pembelajaran
kewirausahaan informal bagi suht Minangkabau muda yang dikombinasikan dengan dimensi budaya mereka
dan nilai-nilai, telah memberikan kontribusi pada pembentukan suku Minangkabau serta membqwa dampak
positifterhadap budaya kewirausahaan tersebut. Suku Minangkabau, sebagai sqlah satu suku di Indonesia,
berada pada lingkungan sosial yang sangat mendukung dimana budaya kewirausahaan diakui sebagai bagian
dari cara hidup. Oleh karena itu, suku Minangkabau dikenal sebagai salah satu suleu yang paling membawa
sikap ketuirausahaqn di Indonesiq. Makalah ini mempertimbangkan nilai dan dimensi budaya yang didapat
yang membana konsekuensi untuk budaya kewirausahaan masyarakat, dengan analisis khusus pada suku
Minangkabau di Indonesia. Analisis dilakukan dengan mempertimbangkan unsur-unsur dan indeks dimensi
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. I I No.
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budqta serta nilai-nilai yang didapat oleh masyarakat yang dapat membentuk dan memulai kebiasaan
wirausaha serta mengkaitkannya dengan kewirausahaan. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bukti bahwa budaya
masyarakat juga berperan penting untuk menciptakan dan memelihara kebiasaan kewirausahaan serta
pengalaman masyarakat. Bersama dengan dimensi budaya dari suatu masyarakat, nilai-nilai yang dimiliki
oleh masyarakat juga berkontribusi dalam penciptaan budaya kewirausahaan masyarakat tersebut. Hal ini
ditunjukkan dalam konleks suku Minangkabau yang dikenal sebagai suku wirausaha yang ada di Indonesia.
Walau bagaimanapun, penelitian ini menganalisa suatu latar belakang budaya dari salah satu suku yang ada
di Indonesia. Beranjak dari penelitian ini, perlu dilakukan penelitian lanjutan dengan menginvestigasi
beberapa latar belakang budaya dari berbagai elnis / kelompok suku di lndonesia dan negara lain. Secara
komparatif hal tersebut dapat menambah pengetahuan kaitannya dengan kewirqusahaan dan hubungannya
dengan dimensi budaya serta nilai-nilai yang didapal dari masyarakat / komunitas /,kelompok etnis.
Kqta kunci: Meranlau, Pembelajaran Kewirausahaan lnformal, Dimensi Budaya, Nilai yang Didapat.
1.
Introduction
therefore, most of cultural occasions and
West Sumatra is one the provinces
festivals are rooted from the Islamic
in Indonesia in which the Minangkabau
spirits. Although most of the populations
tribe lives. Minangkabau tribe is well
are Moslem, the West Sumatran people
known as one of the friendliest tribal
are considered as one of the most
moderate Moslem populations in
groups
in Indonesia. They love to talk
and chat with visitors and
will tell
us
If
Indonesia. They are tolerant and can
a
easily live with other people from
visitor tries to understand the culture and
different religions. They can also adapt
about their unique society freely.
Minang traditions he
will
soon feel
easily
to other people and places, and
himself a member of the clan. He will be
therefore they can also easily live outside
invited as a guest to their homes as part
of their homeland.
Family and its culture is one of the
of their culture hospitality - a unique way
to
become acquainted
Indonesian life. They
with
real
most important elements for the West
will show us the
Sumatran people. People conveniently
in their core family and their
community' and explain their customs.
stay
The people are hospitable and eloquent in
relationship with the big family members
of speech and ceremonies.
remains close over time, wherever they
a poetic style
live. The West Sumatran is one of the
Festivals are colourf[l occasions.
are Moslem (more than90Yo) and we can
in the world, which has the
'matrilineal system' in their family
find mosques easily in all parts of
the
system. Thus, females have very
province. The culture of West Sumatra is
important position in the family and can
founded ontheirmain religion (Islam) and
take the most important decision for the
Most of the West Sumatran people
t6
tribes
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whole family, especially ifthey are related
or
with the cultural issues (the
legacies,
Restaurant that serves famous very spicy
ceremonies
food throughout the country is a typical
assets
of the clan, cultural
etc.).
Padang entrepreneurs nationwide.
example of how the process of merantau
Travelling and living outside of the
province
is
considered as
a mark
and
successfully creates
many
entrepreneurs. The process
of
Minang
merantau
indicator of success. Many Minang people
has also created man! West Sumatran
are being found "merantau" (emigrated)
traders who have important positions in
to other parts of the country, mostly doing
Indonesian trading activities
entrepreneurial activities.
In
merantau,
the young males (mostly after the ages
and
communities.
of
18-20) leave their homeland; emigrate to
2.
Literature Review
other places and running entrepreneurial
The existence of the cultural context
activities for their daily life. Initially, it is
on entrepreneurship has been
done with the help and assistance of
since many years by the scholars. The
mentors (who are also the West Sumatran
result, however, is little known about the
people and successful entrepreneurs) by
complex role of culture in the rise and fall
providing employment opportunities in
of
their
(2001). We cannot generalize the culture
explored
business ownership, Verheul et. al.
The businesses are
various, but mostly in trading and
of each social system and network which
restaurants. Learning processes are then
can affect entrepreneurship and therefore,
starting and running within this stage and
the study of cultural context
after the young are ready, they can start
entrepreneurship became more complex
their own businesses using their savings
and cannot be clearly summarized.
Though it is argued that entrepreneurial
businesses.
and sometimes, with a small loan from
relatives.
In the philosophy of
West
on
spirit needs appropriate social and cultural
to initiate motives for
Sumatran entrepreneurs, one successful
background
West Sumatran entrepreneur should
venture creation, Watson, Hogarth-Scott
create at least three young West Sumatran
and Wilson (1998), and Morisson, (1999)
entrepreneurs, (Elfindri et aL.,2010). This
but in fact, cultural background with its
philosophy is successfully used and as a
complex phenomenon remains difficult to
consequence one can find many Minang
analyze related
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Yol. 11 No.
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to entrepreneurship
new
and
t7
I
entrepreneurial motives. Because
complexity, the study
needs
to
use
a
of
its
of culture itself
system approach
as
common structure in the cultural systems
of the countries.
In the entrepreneurship,
relevant
is given in the continuum of
by Hofstede (1980). As he
pointed, culture is the interactive
analysis
aggregate of common characteristics that
role in identifying a culture's propensity
influence a human's group response to its
to entrepreneurship,'Samit (2005).
environment. There are four dimensions
mentioned
on each national culture of each country.
individualist cultures foster development
These four dimensions are:
of self-concept, a sense of responsibility,
a. Power
and competition that may lead to new
suggesied
distance, i.e. the extent of
ln the other
an or ganizational soc iety
collectivist environments may actually be
avoidance, i.e. the extent
anti-entrepreneurial
by
side,
causing
organizational society feel threatened
of norms, compromise, and
resistance to change. As Samit (2005)
by and try to avoid future uncertainty
cited in Morris et. al. (1994), collectivist
and ambiguous situations
environments may actually
Individualism and collectivism, which
entrepreneurial by causing acceptance
describes relationship between the
norrns, compromise, and resistance to
individual and the collectivity that is
change. Therefore
reflected
an
in the way people live
acceptance
be
anti-
of
it can be said that his
environment is not favorable to foster the
together
entrepreneurial culture and in most of the
Masculinity and femininity, i.e. the
cases, hindered
extent
of roles of division
between
processes.
the
entrepreneurship
This can explain on why
different emphasis on work goals and
in a collectivist
culture leave such a culture to be
to personal
entrepreneurs. That is also why people in
sexes to which people in a society put
assertiveness as opposed
Those above mentioned
represent
individualists living
individualist culture more entrepreneurial
goals and nurturance.
l8
Hofstede (1980), the
ideas and innovations.
to which members of
d.
by
As
power inequality among members of
b. Uncertainty
c.
individualism and collectivism as a major
dimensions
the basic elements of
the
rather than people living
in collectivist
culture.
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. 11 No.
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Samit (2005) also argued that the
2. Level 2: formal legal rules
and
power distance as a dimension of culture
regulations (constitutions,
law,
also took part in determining favorable or
property rights etc.)
condition
detrimental
entrepreneurship.
for
3.
transactions (contracts, firms and
He argued that high
power distance cultures such as in Middle
East can detriment condition of
entrepreneurship. Meanwhile,
Level 3: governance structure with
networks)
4. Level 4: marginal hnalysis of prices
the lower
and resource allocation
power distance culture enjoys favorable
condition
for
entrepreneurship and
entrepreneurial leadership
such
as
Based on the study of Verheul et. el.
(2001), the cultural aspect is categorized
as one of the
determinants of
happens in Anglo, Nordic and Germanic
entrepreneurship. They overviewed that
cultures, Gupta et. al. (2004), Hofstede
the determinant of entrepreneurship can
(l e80).
be analyzed based on the level approach;
An
approach
of the cultural
context in entrepreneurship can also be
micro, meso and macro level approaches
as
well
as demand and supply approaches.
by using the framework of
The objects of the study in the level
institutional analysis from Williamson
approach are entrepreneur as an individual
(2000) and supply and demand
or
analyzed
approaches
as the
side
determinant of
business, sectors
of
industry
and
national economy. The cultural aspect in
ofthe
entrepreneurship, Verheul et. al. (2001).
entrepreneurship categorize as one
In the
aspects in the micro level approach which
framework
for
institutional
its analysis in the decision
analysis, Williamson (2000) divided four
focusing
of institutional analysis to let us
know position of the culture in the
making process
institutional setting. Those four levels are
employment as an entrepreneur.
levels
as
l.
follow.
motives
of
considered
of individuals and
people
as an
to
the
become self-
It
is
aspect which can
Level 1: informal institutions (norms,
influence the decision making process and
customs, traditions and religion). This
the motives of people become an
level is identified as the culture
entrepreneur.
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t9
It is argued that culture is important in any
"The institutional environment is
it
critical to the study of
can determine the attitudes of individuals
entrepreneurship, because it
towards the initiation of entrepreneurship
create s conditions that
Vernon-Wortzel and Wortzel, (1997). It is
entrepreneurs must navigate and
also agreed that entrepreneurial spirit
that policy makers can address.
discussion of entrepreneurship because
,
needs appropriate social and cultural
background
to initiate motives for
new
"
(p.4)
The GEM Global Report 2011 draws its
this
venture creation (Watson, Hogarth-Scott
emphasis on
and Wilson, 1998 and Morisson, 2000).
environment as
Carter and Jones-Evans (2000) further
'The institutional Context and its
Relationship to Entrepreneurship' (see
strengthened that:
a
institutional
figure which is named as
"The culture of societies and
GEM Global Report 2011, p.4), in which
characteristics of people living in
the cultural context and social norrns are
the societies, impacted by certain
being considered as
innate personality traits,
will
influence the degree to which
entrepreneurship is initiated. "
a part of
an
institutional framework that relates to
entrepreneurship.
Shane
et al. (1995) emphasized
(p. 102)
their study on three aspects of Hofstede's
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
concept of cultural dimensions named the
20ll and Kelley et
al. (2012) also pays attention to the
power distance, uncertainty avoidance
cultural context of entrepreneurship. One
more uncertainty avoiding, the more
focus of the GEM Global Report 2011
power distant, and the more collective a
shows nine entrepreneurship framework
society is, the more people prefer
conditions (EFC) as the determinants of
champion to work through organizational
is divided into
three considerations; (a) basic
requirements, (b) efficiency enhancers,
norrns and rules, to gain support of those
and (c) innovation and entrepreneurship.
especially one which is related with the
It further states;
individualism is closely related with the
(GEM) Global Report
entrepreneurship which
and individualism. They found that the
in authority,
and
to get support for
a
any
innovation effort. Their finding,
opinion of Samit, (2005). Both of them
20
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. I
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suggested that individualist cultures tend
uncemtainty avoidance and poer distance
to be more entrepreneurial in that they
will
succeed, not by appealing to group norms
entrepreneurship
and perional ties, but by convincing
society. The facts can be seen in the most
others of the validity of their vision.
entrepreneurial countries
In the more
straight result and
summary regarding culture
be a detrimental condition to foster
within community I
in the world
(such as US, UK, Switzerland, Canada,
and
Japan, France, Germanf etc.) which have
entrepreneurship, Hayton, George and
tendencies as above. Meanwhile, most
Zahra, (2002) found that
African, South American and
high
some
individualism; high masculinity, high
Asian countries tend to be
uncertainty avoidance and low power
entrepreneurial because their cultural
distance are
dimension indexes show that they have
conducive
for
of
less
entrepreneurship. Supporting this
lower indexes
et al. (2002),
Noorderhaven et al. (2002) and
masculinty along with the greater indexes
Noorderhaven et al. (2003) pointed that a
distance.
argument, Wenneker
of
individualism
and
uncertainty avoidance and power
climate of high uncertainty avoidance in
large organizations push
enterprises
individuals to go out and create their own
business/venture.
3.
Research Methods
3.1 The Cultural Dimension of
Indonesia and the Logical
Consequences
Linking the result of those above
to
mentioned studies with the Hofstede's
Entrepreneurship
cultural dimension concept, one
As Hofstede (1980, 2012 and2014),
can
summarize that the greater indexes of
the culture of
individualism and masculinity along with
general
the lower indexes of
uncertainty
collectivist, higher power distance, lower
will be a
uncertainty avoidance and tend to be more
avoidance and power distance
favourable condition to
entrepreneurship
foster
within
Indonesian people in
is dominated by the culture of
feminine. Similarly, Mangundjaya (20 I 0)
found
that
the people
of lndonesia is
community/society. In reverse, the lower
regarded as having value of the group,
indexes of individualism and masculinity
placing high importance on seniority,
along with the greater indexes of
preferring stable conditions
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. 11 No.
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and
2l
situations, having clear
cut
between
gender roles that nevertheless
4
between
gender roles
sometimes overlap and tend to has a short
5
Shorl
Short term
Short term
term
orientation vs.
its state of mind that the group values and
Long
goals are more important,
orientation
whether
Clear cut
Feminine
vs. Femininity
do
term orientation. Collectivist society has
Masculinity
term
extended family and ethnic group is
primary. In higher power distance society,
Relating those perceived values to
leaders and followers rarely interact as
entrepreneurship, Bjerke and Hultman
equals. Uncertainty avoidance deals with
(2002) argued that
a society's tolerance for uncertainty and
in a
society where
collectivist
culture
exists,
ambiguity, while in the feminine society,
entrepreneurship
may start from
an emotional gender roles overlap; both
individual initiative but must have the
an
be
support of the group to succeed (p.1 l7).
modest, tender and concerned with the
Bjerke and Hultman (2002) further
quality of life. The culture dimension of
mentioned that
men and women are supposed
Indonesian people can be seen
to
in
the
in a society where
the
culture has lower uncertainty avoidance,
entrepreneurship is more innovative and
following table.
the process to become an entrepreneur is
Table
1.
generally more direct, faster and
Perceived Values of Indonesian People
complicated
According to Hofstede (1980 and 2012) and
Values
I
Individualism
having high power distance. Bjerke and
Indonesian People
Hofstede
Mangundjaya
Collectivist
Value of the
group
vs.
Uncertainty
High
avoidance
J
Power
distance
seniority
to
describe
the
in the culture. They
power
used the
high power distance and the
of
term
of
low
power distance. However,
the
'short'power distance instead
The
importance
terminology
own
terms 'long'power distance instead of
Stable
condition
High
Hultman (2002) used their
distance
Collectivism
2
Regarding the
power distance, Indonesian people are
Mangundjaya (2010)
No
(p. I l9).
less
terminologies are considered to have the
same meaning. In the case
people who have high
of Indonesian
or long power
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Yol. 11 No. 1, Mei 2016
distance and relate it to entrepreneurship,
Shane et al, (1994) who found that the
Bjerke and Hultman (2002) argued that in
more power distance find
this type of culture, initiatives
society,
for
the bigger
individuals
from the top (p. 123) and control of all
outside of the society.
of a new venture effort by
the
2.
entrepreneurs could be very detailed and
frequent
one
chance for
to take any actions
entrepreneurial activities come normally
aspects
in
A more related cultural indicator for
entrepreneurship is individualism
(p.12$.
Hayton, George and
Zahra,
Based on the index and the concept
(2002), argued that the individualist
if
societies tend to give more conducive
of cultural dimensions by Hofstede and
to
we link them to the studies about the
environment
relationship between culture
and
rather than the collectivist society. In
entrepreneurship that had been done by
Iine with this argument, Samit,
(2005) argued that individualist
cultures tend to be more
scholars, there
consequences
are some logical
on entrepreneurship that
entrepreneurship
apply to Indonesia:
entrepreneurial in that they succeed,
l.
Indonesia has relatively higher index
not by appealing to group norms and
in PDI (78) and even higher
rather
personal ties,
of
Asian
others of the validity of their vision.
than the average PDI
countries (71)
convincing
In case of Indonesia, it has very low
This shows that there is a big
inequality
but by
of power and wealth
IDV index (14) and becomes one of
in
the countries in the world which are
Indonesia. As Hofstede, (1980) and
collectivists. Following Shane, et al.
of
(1994), Hayton, George and Zahra,
lower possibility
(2002) and Samit, (2005), this
(2012) said that the bigger the PDI
a society is, then the
for the appropriate environment for
business created.
If we look
condition
will not be
suitable to
back to
entrepreneurship because the society
Hayton, George and Zahra, (2002),
gives more respect to the collectivist
they argued that the low power
cultures which are normally hinder
distance is an element for appropriate
and detriment the entrepreneurship.
environment
for
entrepreneurship.
3.
This opinion is also relevant with
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. 11 No. 1, Mei 2016
The next important element of
cultural dimensions that can foster or
23
hinder the entrepreneurship
caring. The given condition of
is
Indonesian society which
uncertainty avoidance
feminine, can be said hinder and
Noorderhaven et al. (2003) pointed
Looking back to the concept of
Noorderhaven
detriment the entrepreneurship.
of low uncertainty
cultural dimensions and linking
large
organizations
the existence bf
pushes enterprises individuals
to go
entrepreneurship, one
out and create their
own
that the greater indexes of IDV and MAS
If we look at the
along with the lower indexes of UAI and
that a climate
avoidance
in
business/venture.
index of uncertainty
it
with
culture
can
to
summarize
avoidance
PDI will be a favourable condition to
of 48.
It means that the uncertainty level in
foster entrepreneurship within
community / society. In reverse, the
Indonesia is high and therefore, it
will
lower indexes of IDV and MAS along
be
this
with the greater indexes of UAI and PDI
uncertainty by creating the strictly
will be a detrimental condition to foster
rules and regulations. The existence
entrepreneurship
of strictly rules and regulations will
society.
(UAI), Indonesia
needed
has the score
to minimize
be a difficult condition to
within community I
If we sort out the
foster
index of
entrepreneurship.
Indonesian cultural dimensions, we can
In the masculinity index (MAS),
see
that Indonesia has the high PDI, very
culture is more dominated, the people
low IDV, high UAI and low MAS.
Following the concept of cultural
dimension and the culture in
entrepreneurship, this would be, of
course, a condition to hinder and
tend to be more modest and care to
detriment the entrepreneurship.
each other. This is different to the
the masculine
clearly signed from the Hofstede's
cultural dimension indexes that the
culture is dominated. The society in
Indonesian society can be categorized as
the masculine culture is
the society which would not let
Indonesia scores 48
This shows that Indonesia
has
slightly', feminine cultures rather than
the masculine one. As the feminine
countries where
more
assertive rather than modest or
24
more
et al, (2002),
et al. (2002) and
Wenneker
4.
is
It
is
the
conducive climate of entrepreneurship as
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Yol. 11 No.
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it has high PDI, high UAI, low IDV and
low MAS.
3.2 Minangkabau Tribe and
Entrepreneruial Culture and
The conclusion that we can make
from Hofstede's cultural
2.
The culture
dimension
related to Indonesian culture:
l.
Learning
of
Minang tribe
is
founded on their main religion (lslam) and
Indonesia has
high
between member
of its society
inequalities
therefore, cultural occasions and festivals
and
are rooted from the tslamic spirits which
the power is distributed unequal. This
are described in the saying; the tradition
is shown by the high PDI
(adat) is founded upon Islam and Islam is
Indonesia has high uncertainty and
founded upon the Quran. Despite most
the society tend to minimize this
the population are fervent Muslims, the
uncertainty by stating many rules and
Minang tribe embraced the idea of
regulations that are applied
members
of the
to
of
the
incorporating Islamic ideals into modern
societies. This is
society and therefore, they are considered
shown by the high UAL
as one of the most moderate Muslim
3. The Indonesian society is a
collectivist society rather than
populations in Indonesia. The presence of
intellectuals combined with religiosity
individualist. It is shown by the low
and their basic character have
IDV.
Minangkabau land becomes
a
made
unique
4. The level of masculinity of
place to live. People are tolerant and can
Indonesian society is low and it tends
easily live with others from different
to have more feminine cultures. This
religions and cultures. They can also adapt
is shown by the low MAS.
easily to other people and places, and
All the conclusions show that lndonesian
therefore they can also easily live outside
culture and society are actually not
of their homeland.
entrepreneurial and
indeed,
The Minang tribe recognizes three
Mangundjaya (2010) has also given this
pillars that build and maintain its integrity.
similar insight and indication.
They are alim ulama (Islam scholars),
cerdik pandai (intellectual) and ninik
mamak (uncles and the leaders
tradition).
Alim ulama
of
the
maintains the
integrity of the religion (Islam), cerdik
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol.
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No.
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25
pandai maintains
the integrity
of
which properties such as land and houses
knowledge and ninik mamak maintains
are inherited through female
the integrity of customs and tradition.
Thus, females have
Together,
they perform the
main
regarding the interests
All
position in the family and can make the
most important decision for the whole
matters
family, especially if they are related to the
of the tribe
are
discussed by them so that all members
of
the tribe are benefited from a democratic
to
important
as
foundation of the tribe and are named
Tungku Tigo Sajarangan.
a very
lineage.
cultural and tradition'issues (the legacies,
assets
of the clan, cultural
ceremonies
etc.).
solve problems and make
Travelling, wandering and living
decisions that are important. As a result,
outside ofthe province are considered as
Minang people are well known with their
a mark and indicator of
system
spacious thinking, freedom
change the fate and
of life
to
to reach knowledge
and wealth. They have habit
to
success
Minang males (although
of
the
nowadays,
Minang females are also doing this).
think
Many Minang people are being found
carefully and correctly and analyze all
"merantalt" (emigrated) to other parts of
but still applying
the country, mostly doing entrepreneurial
hospitality as part of their basic character.
activities or just to study. Merantau has
Therefore, many Minang people are well
become part of the culture of the Minang
knowledge critically
known
in
-
Indonesia as entrepreneurs,
traders, writers and
journalists,
tribe
-
which
of Minang people
mobile and prefer for not
as the nature
is
working as an employee, (Bungo &
politicians, scholars and educators.
Family and its culture is one of the
Husin, 2011\. A family will be proud to
job of
most important elements of life for the
answer the question regarding the
Minang people. People conveniently stay
its children as an entrepreneur or trader
in their core family and their relationship
rather revealing that their children are just
with family members remains close over
working as an employee. Success as an
time, wherever they live. The Minang
entrepreneur or trader has become pride,
tribe is one of the tribes in the world,
status and symbol of a family.
which has the 'matrilineal system' as their
In
merantau,
the young
males
family system. In fact, the Minangs are the
(mostly after the ages of 18-20) leave their
world's largest matrilineal society in
homeland; emigrate to other places and
26
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen YoL 11 No.
l, Mei 2016
running entrepreneurial activities for their
experience to run the big family or nagari
daily life. The process of merantau
(homeland).
is
parents and big family to take part actively
The process of merantau has
successfully created many Minang
entrepreneurs who have important
(and even live) in surau (a muslim prayer
positions in Indonesian business activities
started as early as the age of 7 , when boys
are traditionally encouraged
house and community centre)
religious and cultural
by
to
their
learn
and communities. Aciording
to Naim,
teachings,
(1984 p.6l-66) the reasons of the Minang
traditional Minang's self-defence (which
tribe for doing merantau are: (1) ecology
is called
and geography, (2) economy, and (3)
as
pencak silat) and establishing
friendship and network
. The
boys are
education. In the reason of ecology and
mentored by Islam's leader of the society
geography, the Minang tribe realized that
(alim ulama) during their stay in surau. In
their homeland is located out of the centre
this stage, there is no signs of
and axis of Indonesian trade and politics.
entrepreneurship learning was given by
To be developed, they should go and
the ulama. The main objective is only to
struggle outside of their homeland. The
prepare the young boys' mentality and
reason of economy is related to the huge
personality to face challenges in their life.
opportunities of gaining wealth in other
As the boys are becoming
the
locations rather than in their homeland.
teenagers, they are then encouraged to
Meanwhile in the educational reason, the
leave their homeland
to learn
practical
young generation
of the Minang
tribe
things from their experience out of their
believes that they
homeland. Some of them are studying in
outside of their homeland. Those reasons
otherparts ofthe country but most of them
and the process of merantau itself have
are actively entering into entrepreneurial
created specific characteristic and have
activities, mostly as informal traders. In
become the cultural values of the Minang
this stage, the teenagers are prepared with
tribe (Pelly, 1988 p. l9).
all experience and practical knowledge so
will
get better education
Initially, the Minang entrepreneurs
in
that when they are adults they could return
are getting in touch
home wise and useful for the society and
activities with the help and assistance of
can contribute their thinking
mentors (who are also the Minang people
and
and
DeReMa Jurnal Manojemen Yol. 11 No.
l, Mei 2016
entrepreneurial
successful entrepreneurs) by
27
providing temporary employment
opportunities in their businesses. The
goals are more important, whether
businesses are various, but mostly trading
extended family and ethnic group is
(textiles, gold and silver handicrafts,
primary. In higher power distance society,
antiques goods), printing services, private
leaders and followers rarely interact as
educational services, tourism services and
equals. Uncertainty avoidance deals with
restaurants. Learning processes are then
a society's tolerance'for uncertainty and
started and enacted within this stage and
ambiguity, while in the feminine society,
after the young are ready, they can start
an emotional gender roles overlap; both
their own businesses using their savings
men and women are supposed
and sometimes, with a small loan from
modest, tender and concerned with the
relatives.
In the philosophy of
entrepreneurs,
one
Minang
its state of mind that the group values and
to
be
quality of life.
As
successful West
Indonesian people consist of
Sumatran entrepreneur should create at
many tribes, in which the Minangkabau
least three young Minang entrepreneurs,
people is one of them, there are facts that
(Elfindri et aL.,2010). This philosophy is
cultural dimension of each tribe
successfully implemented and as a result
different one to the other and sometimes,
one can find many Minang entrepreneurs
is also different to the cultural dimension
nationwide.
of
As Hofstede (1980 and 2072), the
Indonesian people
in
is
general.
Mangundjaya (2010) describes the culture
as
culture of Indonesian people in general is
of
dominated by the culture of collectivist,
characterized by its Matriarchate culture,
higher power distance, lower uncertainty
which means thatwomen are the ones that
avoidance and tend to be more feminine.
play an important role in the family. Men
Similarly, Mangundjaya (2010) found
are usually
that the people of Indonesia is regarded
as
to earn a better living (doing Merantau)
having value of the group, placing high
and usually act as an entrepreneur. The
importance on seniority, preferring stable
people never forget their family as well as
conditions and situations, having clear cut
the key person in their culture
between gender roles that nevertheless do
have an important role in their life. The
sometimes overlap and tend to has a short
Minangkabau people perceive the
term orientation. Collectivist society has
environment as unstable and want to
28
Minangkabau people
are
living out of their hometown
-
as they
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Vol. 11 No. 1, Mei 2016
adjust to the environment and they are
We can see from that comparison
giving very much respect to the elderly
above that the values of the Minangkabau
and seniority. To conclude this,
people are slightly different compared to
Mangundjaya (2010 p. 62) argued that the
the values of Indonesian people
Minangkabau people are characterized as;
general. Minangkabau people are having
(1) a collectivist society, (2)have a higher
low uncertainty avoidance and
power distance, (3) tend to be feminine,
long term orientation
*nit.
Indonesian
(4) have a lower uncertainty avoidance
people are having high
uncertainty
and (5) have a long term orientation.
avoidance having short term orientation.
Relating those perceived values to
to the Minangkabau
people, the results can be seen in the
entrepreneurship, Bjerke and Hultman
following table.
collectivist
Indonesian people
(2002) argued that in a society where
culture
entrepreneurship
Table 3.3
Minangkabau People
No
Values
Individualism
Indonesian
Minangkabau
People*
People**
Collectivist
Collectivist
vs.
Uncertainty
High
Low
Power
Hich
High
Masculinity
Feminine
Feminine
Short term
Long term
vs. Femininity
Short
Bjerke and Hultman (2002) further
mentioned that
in a society where
the
culture has lower uncertainty avoidance,
the process to become an entrepreneur is
complicated
(p.
less
119). The fact from
Bjerke and Hultman's argument can be
distance
5
an
support ofthe group to succeed (p.ll7).
generally more direct, faster and
avoidance
4
may start from
entrepreneurship is more innovative and
Collectivism
J
exists,
individual initiative but must have the
Perceived Values oflndonesian People and
2
having
of
Comparing the culture dimension
I
in
term
found to the Minangkabau people
-
where
they have lower uncertainty avoidance
orientation vs.
and as the result,
Long
becomes a common choice
term
orientation
*) asfound by Hofstede (1980 ond 2012)
**) asfoundby Mangundjaya (2010)
entrepreneurship
of living for
the people. The long term orientation of
the Minangkabau people as part
of its
values also contributes to the creation
of
the Minang entrepreneurs. As Bjerke and
DeReMa Jurnal Manajemen Yol. 11 No. 1, Mei 2016
29
Hultman (2002), most entrepreneurship is
a long term commitment (p.
l2l).
create and maintain entrepreneurial habits
and experience of a certain society
Regarding the power distance, both
this paper, this is shown
in
- in
by the
Indonesian and Minangkabau people are
Minangkabau tribe
having high power distance. Bjerke and
which are famous as an entrepreneurial
QlAT used their own
terminology to describe the power
tribe in Indonesia. The indirect impact of
in the culture. They used the
is shown by the existence of an informal-
terms 'long'power distance instead of
cultural based entrepreneurial learning
high power distance and the term 'short'
within the Minangkabau people in
Hultman
distance
power distance instead
of low power
West
Sumatra,
the determinant to enlrepreneurial culture
the
form of merantau, which also supports
distance. However, the terminologies are
their very conducive and
considered to have the same meaning. In
entrepreneurial culture. Compared to the
the case of
cultural dimension and perceived value of
Indonesian people and
Minangkabau people who have high or
long power distance and relate
it
to
Indonesian people
in
supportive
general,
the
Minangkabau tribe is relatively different
entrepreneurship, Bjerke and Hultman
in terms of
uncertainty avoidance and
(2002) argued that in this type of culture,
orientation
for its future life. The
initiatives for entrepreneurial activities
Minangkabau tribe is considered as being
come norrnally from the top (p. 123) and
more tolerant to the uncertainty in their
control of all aspects of a new venture
life and future and have a long-term
orientation in their future life. Having
effort by the entrepreneurs could be very
detailed and frequent (p.
Q$.
these as their nature and the existence
of
an informal cultural based entrepreneurial
4.
Analysing and considering culture
the Minangkabau tribe is
considered to be more entrepreneurial
of a society (and people) is a very tough
rather than many tribes/ethnic groups in
and diffrcult task to undertake,
particular if it should be related
in
Indonesia.
to
Minangkabau tribe with other tribes in
learning,
Summary and Implication
The difference of
be found in
the
entrepreneurship. This paper shows an
Indonesia can also
evidence that culture and perceived values
Minangkabau's kinship system which is a
of a society also play an important role to
matrilineal system that puts females in a
30
the
DeReMaJurnal ManajemenYol. 11No. l, Mei 2016
very important position in their culture
dimension, perceived value and kinship
and social system.
system backgrounds from various ethnic
This study analyses one
groups/tribes
single
Indonesia and compared
Indonesia
or
countries. Comparatively, this
cultural background from a specific tribe
in
in
it with the
other
will
add
knowledge and dimension regarding the
analysis of Indonesian culture and values.
formation of entrepreneurial culture as
As it was undertaken to a single cultural
result of the combinatioh between cultural
background (West Sumatra culture), it
dimension and perceived values
will be worth to extend this study and
investigation into several cultural
society/community/ethnic group.
a
of a
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