Hanif Rani Iswari, Puji Handayati, Wardhana Ery Tri Djatmika Rudijanto Wahju, Nurika Restuningdiah
Existential philosophy provides a framework to understand the motivations and strategic decisions of startup founders in navigating uncertainty and limited resources. This study explores the interplay between existential reflection and the ‘Arema Spirit,’ a cultural ethos in Malang, Indonesia, in shaping financial bootstrapping strategies. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data was collected from 30 creative startup founders through in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and qualitative questionnaires. The analysis emphasizes how founders integrate philosophical reflection with local cultural values to balance autonomy, ethical responsibility, and resource efficiency. The findings reveal that existential reflection fosters strategic independence and resilience while the ‘Arema Spirit’ inspires ethical and community-oriented decisions. This dynamic is encapsulated in the bootstrapping existential reflection cycle, an iterative framework connecting existential values, bootstrapping practices, and practical innovation. The study highlights the role of cultural identity in entrepreneurial strategy, bridging philosophy, and practice in navigating startup challenges. © 2024 The Author(s).
Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia; Faculty of Economic and Business, Universitas Widya Gama, Malang, Indonesia
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock