Diversification in ethnic minority business: The case of Asians in London's creative industries
Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development
ISSN: 1462-6004
Article publication date: 1 March 2005
Abstract
Purpose
To provide an initial assessment of the nature and extent of the involvement of Asian‐owned firms in the creative industries in London; to identify and assess any barriers they face; and draw out the implications for policy.
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study, undertaken in late 2002. Data sources included official statistical data and previous reports, as well as a programme of semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with 23 Asian entrepreneurs spread across eight sub‐sectors.
Findings
Asians are making a significant contribution to London's creative sectors, although they do face a number of specific constraints. Some of these are specific to the creative industries but others are shared with other small firms. However, few of these constraints appear to be exclusively Asian.
Research limitations/implications
There are some limitations relating to the small scale of the study and its focus on a single geographical location.
Practical implications
The research shows how (cultural) diversity can contribute to creativity and the competitiveness of regional economies, as well as individual businesses. This particularly applies in the creative industries because of extensive interlinkage with firms in other sectors.
Originality/value
In creative activities, cultural diversity is a source of potential competitiveness, because of the positive relationships between diversity, creativity and innovation. Asian owned firms in the creative sectors contrast with the low value added nature of many traditional areas of Asian business activity in the UK.
Keywords
Citation
Smallbone, D., Bertotti, M. and Ekanem, I. (2005), "Diversification in ethnic minority business: The case of Asians in London's creative industries", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 41-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626000510579635
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited