Balinese Social Entrepreneurs and the Pursuit of Harmony

Balinese social entrepreneurs are forging new paths where ancestral values meet contemporary business. Drawing on ethnographic research and four case studies in crafts, arts, disability, and hospitality, Joanna Vogeley explores why Balinese pursue social entrepreneurship and what makes their approaches distinctive. Grounded in tri hita karana, a philosophy of harmony between people, the spiritual realm, and nature, her study shows how entrepreneurial action emerges through dynamic relationships among values, environments, and social networks. It further examines how these networks evolve over time, conceptualising Balinese entrepreneurs as value-driven actors whose interactions generate collective agency and offer alternative perspectives on ethics, innovation, and social change.