1 research outputs found
Making the link: households and small business activity in a multi-ethnic context
The ‘family’ is frequently mentioned in assessments of the apparent distinctiveness
of ethnic minority enterprise. Family involvement can account for the ‘success’ of some ethnic
groups, and low rates of small business activity in others. Implicitly, such debates are recognition
of the importance of the nature of the household and small business. However, few studies in
Britain make explicit the link between household dynamics and ethnic minority business
activity. This paper examines how households from a variety of ethnic communities impinge
upon ‘family’ enterprise operating in the independent restaurant sector. In-depth interviews with
family members from 37 micro-business households are drawn upon to illuminate three
particular issues: the role of family members in the business; the impact of household dynamics
on business activity; and the nature of ‘second-generation’ involvement in the family business.
The ? ndings highlight the gendered nature of roles within the micro-business household, and the
importance of extended family ties to small business activity. However, the involvement of
predominantly second-generation family members could not be regarded as an example of
uncomplicated family collectivities at work. Rather, their presence was more a product of limited
labour market choices, socialisation, and power relations within the household