ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the conceptual evolution of ethnic entrepreneurship. The cultural theory suggested that ethnic and immigrant groups are equipped with culturally determined characteristics such as dedication to hard work, membership of a strong ethnic community, economical living, acceptance of risk, compliance with social value patterns, solidarity and loyalty, and orientation towards self-employment. The business environment can be very different from one region to another, hence, spatial variations among the same immigrant groups and variations between different ethnic groups exist in the same economic milieu. A common tendency of ethnic entrepreneurs is to develop an easily portable and less sophisticated business, allowing them to return to their home countries. Ethnic social structures are important for understanding the concepts related to the business operation among ethnic entrepreneurs. Generally speaking, the ethnic economy concept includes any immigrant or ethnic group’s self-employed, employers, and co-ethnic employees.
