“Sharing Plate, Sharing Island:” Tradition, Metaphor, and Social Entrepreneurship in Bali

Amid growing academic and practical interest in social entrepreneurship on the island of Bali, this study introduces the “Sharing Plate, Sharing Island” model, a culturally grounded theoretical framework rooted in the traditional practices of megibung and its Islamic counterpart, ngaminang. Both megibung and ngaminang serve as ritualized communal dining practices and metaphors for organizing community-centered entrepreneurial activity. Despite research on these traditions and emerging social entrepreneurship in Bali, their intersection remains underexplored. Through ethnographic fieldwork with thirty-three Balinese social entrepreneurs across sectors such as sustainable agriculture, hospitality, eco-tourism, and artisanal crafts, we identify three foundational pillars shaped by ancestral values: resource allocation, governance structures, and stakeholder relationships. The model critically examines the tensions arising from balancing communal obligations with market pressures, the challenges of scaling ventures while preserving cultural integrity, and the risks of cultural commodification. By explicitly addressing these tensions and integrating ancestral practices as active epistemologies rather than static customs, the “Sharing Plate, Sharing Island” model advances social entrepreneurship theory by centering post-colonial, culturally embedded frameworks of innovation. This approach offers valuable insights for social entrepreneurs, communities, and policymakers operating in contexts where traditional values intersect with contemporary economic systems.