The changing nature of immigration to the United States and changes in the morphology of American cities challenge traditional theories of ethnic entrepreneurship as a means of success in assimilating into American society. This study, based on data of over 800 businesses in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, finds that specific Asian ethnic groups demonstrate distinctive patterns, which often do not conform to traditional theories of ethnic entrepreneurship. Instead, other concepts, such as heterolocalism and transnationalism, add to the discussion concerning a new role for modern ethnic entrepreneurs. This new role must examine ethnic businesses as localities of transnationalism in a global context
