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Book part
Publication date: 16 August 2021

Tatiana Egorova

In recent years, we have witnessed a surge in academic interest towards migrants and their entrepreneurial endeavours. This has resulted in valuable insights about immigrant…

Abstract

In recent years, we have witnessed a surge in academic interest towards migrants and their entrepreneurial endeavours. This has resulted in valuable insights about immigrant, transnational, ethnic and diaspora entrepreneurship. By reviewing 158 articles published in the fields of migrant entrepreneurship, transnational entrepreneurship, ethnic and diaspora entrepreneurship over the last decade, the author maps the migrant entrepreneurship field according to the level of analysis and suggests potential avenues for the development of the field. Blurred boundaries between different streams of literature can potentially lead to duplication of efforts and harm cumulativity of knowledge. Therefore, the author summarises the key findings at each level of analysis, identifies the gaps and most pressing research questions. The author concluded that the field would benefit from (1) more specific definitions and assessment of whether observed findings stem from immigrant-, transnational-, ethnic- or diaspora-related factors; (2) appreciating the multilevel nature of the phenomenon; and (3) clarifying the boundary conditions. This review contributes to the accumulation of knowledge in two ways. First, it synthesises the findings in the fields of transnational, immigrant, ethnic and diaspora entrepreneurship under the framework of migrant entrepreneurship. Second, it suggests potential research directions across three levels of analysis and in-between those levels.

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2008

Levent Altinay

This paper seeks to evaluate the relationship between Turkish entrepreneurs' cultural attributes and the entrepreneurial behaviour of their firms.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to evaluate the relationship between Turkish entrepreneurs' cultural attributes and the entrepreneurial behaviour of their firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports and analyses the findings of 227 face‐to‐face structured interviews with Turkish entrepreneurs.

Findings

This study illustrates that there is a strong relationship between the religion of an entrepreneur and the firm's recruitment, market segmentation and advice‐seeking practices. The English fluency of the entrepreneurs also influences their choice of using formal channels for advice.

Research limitations/implications

Data collection was limited to London, and non‐Turkish entrepreneurs were excluded. Therefore, care should be taken in making generalisations from the sample.

Practical implications

This paper identifies those cultural attributes of the ethnic entrepreneurs that need to be aligned with the wider economic environment of the host country.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the most critical player in an ethnic firm – the owner. It evaluates the linkage between the cultural attributes of the owner and the entrepreneurial behaviour of the firm.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2011

Andreia Tolciu

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the mainstream idea of “ethnically over‐socialised” migrant entrepreneurs, by embedding the concept of social capital in a framework…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to challenge the mainstream idea of “ethnically over‐socialised” migrant entrepreneurs, by embedding the concept of social capital in a framework based on economic incentives and bounded rationality. In line with previous studies which develop on the mixed embeddedness approach, this paper seeks to provide a counterbalance to models which overestimate the importance of cultural factors and ethnicity and neglect the role of economic incentives in individual behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on 58 semi‐structured interviews with Turkish entrepreneurs, both first and second generation, conducted in Hamburg between October 2008 and January 2009.

Findings

The results present a perspective in which migrant entrepreneurs are first and foremost economic actors, who predominantly understand their ethnic social capital as a strategic, economic resource for action. The study illustrates that the phenomenon of migrant entrepreneurship can be understood only when accounting for both the external (contextual) environment and the internal limitations (search and communications costs, available information) which migrant entrepreneurs face. Within the framework of a bounded rationality approach, entrepreneurial outcomes can be viewed as a matter of optimisation under constraints.

Originality/value

Until now, a rather limited amount of studies have inquired whether and to what extent the social capital of migrant entrepreneurs can be seen as a matter of economic choice, rather than as an ethnic occurrence. By examining intergenerational changes this paper reveals the dynamic character of migrant entrepreneurship and calls for a more diversified approach when analysing this phenomenon.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 May 2012

Panagiotis Piperopoulos

The primary objective of this study is to attempt to answer the question, even with a limited sample of interviewees, if ethnic female entrepreneurs are behaving more as “female”…

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Abstract

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to attempt to answer the question, even with a limited sample of interviewees, if ethnic female entrepreneurs are behaving more as “female” or more as “ethnic” entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents empirical data from a face‐to‐face interview type research conducted in the regions of Attica and Central Macedonia, Greece. The study involved conducting face‐to‐face interviews with 15 founders of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs), between May and June 2009.

Findings

The results suggest that ethnic female entrepreneurs may share some common characteristics with their ethnic male entrepreneurial colleagues but ethnic women's unique qualities, characteristics, motivations, background and business views distinguish them from their male ethnic counterparts bringing forth more their femininity rather than their ethnicity.

Originality/value

This paper presents the results of the first‐ever research on ethnic female entrepreneurs in Greece. It examines the influences and the factors that facilitate ethnic female entrepreneurs' decision to become self‐employed and their experiences of entrepreneurship. It discerns in which economic sectors they develop occupational niches and investigates how strong is family participation and support in their businesses. Last but not least this research brings forth the balance between domestic and business responsibilities and how much support from governmental initiatives, policies and training programs they receive.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2019

Naomi Birdthistle

Because entrepreneurs operate in a world of uncertainty, the ability to analyse a situation, extract the important and ignore the superfluous, compare potential outcomes, and…

Abstract

Purpose

Because entrepreneurs operate in a world of uncertainty, the ability to analyse a situation, extract the important and ignore the superfluous, compare potential outcomes, and extrapolate from other experiences to the current one is vital. Researchers have identified several skills an entrepreneur requires to operate their business and the purpose of this paper is to examine if the training and support necessary for entrepreneurship to occur within ethnic communities exists in Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out among established ethnic entrepreneurs and representatives from support agencies in Ireland. A quantitative research methods approach was adopted using online surveys. Responses from 36 ethnic entrepreneurs and eight support organisations were received.

Findings

Targeted programmes offered by service providers included programmes in foreign languages; providing literature in foreign languages; and specially designed seminars for ethnic entrepreneurs. Of the established ethnic entrepreneurs, the majority indicated that, although they have deficiencies in their skillset they did not avail of programmes because they were unaware of them.

Originality/value

Irish service providers need to provide additional services to ethnic entrepreneurs to be on par with their EU counterparts. Irish service providers need to provide general and targeted training programmes through minority languages. If Ireland wants to continue being known as the “land of a hundred thousand welcomes” and be able to support the much-anticipated asylum seekers who may choose entrepreneurship as a career option, it needs to consider the adoption of the recommendations of this study and provide better tailored services for the ethnic entrepreneur.

Details

Education + Training, vol. 61 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0040-0912

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 May 2011

Jana Bruder, Doris Neuberger and Solvig Räthke‐Döppner

The theory of small business finance predicts that ethnic minority‐owned businesses are more likely to be credit constrained in the start‐up process than are native‐owned…

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Abstract

Purpose

The theory of small business finance predicts that ethnic minority‐owned businesses are more likely to be credit constrained in the start‐up process than are native‐owned businesses. In Germany, empirical evidence for this issue is scarce because of missing data. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews previous studies and uses data from a survey of ethnic and native entrepreneurs in Germany that include detailed information about start‐up financing. The hypotheses were tested for differences in financial constraints using univariate analyses and apply multivariate regression models to identify the causes of credit constraints in start‐up financing.

Findings

The data provide evidence that entrepreneurs with an immigration background (“ethnic entrepreneurs”), defined as German residents who hold foreign citizenship or who were born outside Germany, are significantly more likely to be denied credit or to be awarded smaller loans than requested than are native entrepreneurs. However, the underlying reasons for this effect may be differences in risk factors and financial relationships, rather than ethnicity.

Research limitations/implications

The dataset consists of 234 observations. The results refer to the sample and might not be representative of ethnic minority start‐ups in general.

Practical implications

Apart from the risk factors observed in the study, communication problems and lack of information about possible sources of external financing may be relevant. Better communications between financial institutions and ethnic minority businesses may help to reduce the financing gap vis‐à‐vis native entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This is the first examination of the financial constraints of ethnic entrepreneurship in Germany using univariate and multivariate analyses. Previous evidence has been limited to observations about possible discrimination against ethnic minorities and has not tested the significance of observed differences in access to credit.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 April 2015

Yasemin Soydas and Torgeir Aleti

The purpose of this paper is to examine the key differences between first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs in their path to entrepreneurship. The aim of the study is…

2006

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the key differences between first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs in their path to entrepreneurship. The aim of the study is to better understand entrepreneurial motivations amongst immigrants by comparing first- and second-generation entrepreneurs in their motivation for business entry, reliance on co-ethnic market, use of social and financial capital, business planning and marketing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an interpretivist approach and a qualitative design, this study comprises 20 in-depth interviews with first- and second-generation Turkish entrepreneurs (TEs) in Melbourne, Australia. Turks in Australia were chosen because of their high level of entrepreneurial activity. In order to uncover deep-seeded motivations, participants were interviewed in a face-to-face format guided by a semi-structured interview guide.

Findings

The second-generation TEs were distinctively different from their first-generation counterparts in motivation for business entry, business establishment and use of ethnicity. The analysis shows that although the generations differ in their approach to business establishment, they both appear to be drawn to entrepreneurship based on “pull factors”. This is in contrast with previous literature suggesting that first-generation immigrant entrepreneurs were motivated by “push factors”.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that both first- and second-generation immigrant entrepreneurs are “pulled” into entrepreneurship voluntarily. While the first-generation entrepreneurs seem to be motivated/pulled by financial reasons, the second generation are motivated by opportunity recognition, status and ambition. Nevertheless, a lack of trust in government support agency is found within both generations. Thus, outreach activities towards entrepreneurial immigrant communities may have positive effects for the economy as well as in the integration of ethnic enclaves.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 June 2016

Muhammad Naveed Anwar and Elizabeth Daniel

The purpose of this paper is to explore the marketing of online businesses operated by ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The authors apply an entrepreneurial marketing lens to…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the marketing of online businesses operated by ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The authors apply an entrepreneurial marketing lens to explore how such entrepreneurs draw on the resources to market their businesses. They also consider whether online businesses offer such entrepreneurs the opportunity to break out of the highly competitive sectors with which they are traditionally associated.

Design/methodology/approach

Key informant interviews are undertaken with 22 entrepreneurs operating online businesses in the UK and augmented by complementary sources of data such as their websites and press coverage.

Findings

Use of an entrepreneurial marketing perspective demonstrates that marketing in such businesses is not haphazard or chaotic. Rather it reflects the emergent and flexible use of resources. The affordances of online businesses appear to offer opportunities for break out, but the reliance on incremental experimentation and copying others results in highly homogeneous approaches to marketing. The authors also provide empirical evidence of the link between visa status and entrepreneurial choices.

Originality/value

Despite the popularity of online businesses, previous studies have not explored them as an opportunity for ethnic minority entrepreneurs. This study moves the consideration of break out from market-entry to the ongoing marketing activities that sustain a business. It also demonstrates how the domains of ethnic minority entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial marketing can be brought together via a focus on resources. Finally, it enriches entrepreneurial marketing by evidencing connections with notions of effectuation and entrepreneur-venture fit.

Details

Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 19 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1352-2752

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2003

Tüzin Baycan Levent, Enno Masurel and Peter Nijkamp

The aim of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of ethnic female entrepreneurship in urban economic life. The focus of the research is on the attitudes and behaviour of…

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate the phenomenon of ethnic female entrepreneurship in urban economic life. The focus of the research is on the attitudes and behaviour of Turkish female entrepreneurs in Amsterdam. The main question we pose is: Are ethnic female entrepreneurs special ethnic entrepreneurs or special female entrepreneurs? This paper provides an answer to this question on the basis of field surveys. The results of the case study research on Turkish female entrepreneurs in Amsterdam show that the “ethnic female profile” is a “special female profile” and that Turkish female entrepreneurs are “special female entrepreneurs”, particularly in terms of their personal and business characteristics, and their driving forces and motivations. They appear to combine their ethnic opportunities with their personal characteristics (and other opportunities) in the urban market, and to perform successfully. This is also due to the fact that they have become service providers for not only their own ethnic groups, but also for other groups in the city.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 30 no. 11
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

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