The networking behavior of Moroccan and Turkish immigrant entrepreneurs in two Dutch neighborhoods: The role of ethnic density

Abstract

What are the conditions under which resources embedded in the social networks of entrepreneurs can be accessed and mobilized in purposive action? We interviewed a sample of 10 native Dutch and 22 immigrant entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. Trust was an important facilitator of social support from so-called ‘strong ties’ and proved effective in maintaining already established relations with ‘weak ties’. Accessing social support through weak ties, however, appeared more difficult due to distrust and discrimination. This applied particularly to immigrant entrepreneurs working in a neighborhood with a low concentration of immigrants: a context making ethnicity more salient. In this context distrust and discrimination coincided with problematic access to Dutch clientele and less collaboration with Dutch businessmen.

The Networking Behaviour of Immigrant Entrepreneurs in South Africa

“…This implies that business networks established during previous entrepreneurial activities can also help to obtain resources. The results are consistent with the finding of similar empirical studies such as Sequeira and Rasheed (2006) and el Bouk et al (2013) that entrepreneurs build networks that systematically vary by the phase of entrepreneurship. Sequeira and Rasheed (2006) point out that immigrant entrepreneurs acquire resources from two major sources: families and social network in their ethnic enclave.…”

“…Family and friends provide convenient and low cost source of support. el Bouk et al (2013) find that strong ties especially family and friends who are already active as entrepreneurs are an important source of resources in the start-up phase of the business. These strong ties provide entrepreneurs with resources such as business information, financial support and access to business network.…”

“…Machirori and Fatoki (2013) point out that networking includes official, business (managerial) and social networking. He (2011) andEl Bouk et al (2013) describe social networks as a web of persons who interact with each other on a regular basis. Social networks consist of strong ties and weak ties.…”

“…Social networks include friends, family and relatives and business networks comprise of competitors, suppliers, banks and customers, chambers of commerce and accountants. El Bouk et al (2013) remark that different stages of venture development may need different resource dependencies. Resource requirements during the start-up phase of a business may be different from the established or growth phase.…”

Advancing the Frontiers in Ethnic Entrepreneurship Studies

“…Specific urban or regional cases, studied in isolation, have for long dominated the empirical literature on ethnic entrepreneurship (Min 1988;Pang & Rath 2007;Jones et al 2014;Riva & Lucchini 2015). There are few exceptions, though; comparisons between neighbourhoods regarding ethnic entrepreneurs' networks (El Bouk et al 2013); between-city comparisons of opportunities and potential of ethnic entrepreneurs (Rath 2002;Räuchle & Schmiz 2018); and ethnic neighbourhoods' leisure and consumption attractiveness (Aytar & Rath 2012).…”