The southern initiative: How indigenous values inspire social innovation and impact
Source: https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/items/469a3f6a-3e26-4881-bf5d-8a7e99a87f9d Parent: https://www.juncture-ic-centre.auckland.ac.nz/published-research/
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(2025). Journal of Management and Organization, 1-14.
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Abstract
Indigenous values are increasingly recognised in helping organisations contribute to wellbeing within and beyond the workplace. Adopting the theoretical lens of Māori economies of wellbeing, this case study examines how The Southern Initiative (TSI), a unit within Auckland Council, incorporates Māori values to co-create place-based solutions and foster whānau (family) wellbeing. Through kōrero (conversations) with three people, a wānanga (collaborative discussion) with TSI members, and analysis of organisational literature, we identified how TSI’s organising approach synthesises social innovation and bureaucracy. We found that indigeneity-embedded intrapreneurship, distributed leadership, and whānau-centred design support TSI’s innovations. Mana (prestige) emerged as a primary organising principle, sustaining TSI’s approach to achieving systemic change. By bridging Indigenous paradigms and conventional managerial practice, this case study demonstrates how Māori values can transform public sector management, elevate social justice, and encourage community resilience. These findings highlight culturally grounded frameworks for delivering social impact and shaping equitable outcomes.
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1303 Specialist Studies in Education, 1503 Business and Management, 1505 Marketing, 3505 Human resources and industrial relations, 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour
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Niu et al 2025.pdf (244.89 KB)
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https://hdl.handle.net/2292/73761
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution 4.0 International