Economic behaviors of street vendors in Makassar traditional markets

Abstract

This paper aims to explore the considerations behind the economic behavior of street vendors in traditional markets at Makassar, by employing qualitative research design. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview to 23 participants, who were recruited through purposive sampling technique. The results suggested that the street vendors were still categorized into the traditional economic subsystem behavior, in which the distribution of goods is still done directly, simple, and traditional, both in supply and demand. Profit maximisation and utilisation were done under the priority scale through several personal and cultural considerations over economic-rational considerations, whereas networking development was exclusively conducted on their own close environment (family, fellow merchants, costumers, and the local suppliers).