ABSTRACT
Despite the numerous studies on stakeholder management, African entrepreneurship and bootstrapping, research debating constructs that interface these research streams is yet to emerge. Using a systematic literature review, we synergize the discussion on stakeholder management, African entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship resourcing strategies by extending Winborg and Landstrom’s nomenclature on financial bootstrapping. We demonstrate that, while the cost containment focus of this nomenclature provides a germane starting point, it does not sufficiently capture the complexity of financial bootstrapping of small firms in Africa. These firms make cost-escalating choices which include borrowing from matshonisas and rotatory savings and credit associations, borrowing arrangements that impose employment contract expectations, engaging in business activities that complicate family and business finances and exploiting cultural enclaves. We provide a new perspective to examining stakeholder relations, African entrepreneurship and financial bootstrapping that emphasises improvisation and resilience in the face of resource scarcity to transcend overheads.
