Introduction
In this Special Issue call for papers, we invite scholars to contribute to advancing research on ethnic minority entrepreneurship. This call, for the International Journal of Entrepreneurship Behaviour and Research, focuses on exploring new pathways, processes, and contemporary nuances in minority entrepreneurship research. Despite the increasing ubiquity of scholarly efforts, recent developments within the field indicate that ethnic minority entrepreneurship remains underexplored (Brynin, 2019; Hack-Pola et al., 2020; Esper et al., 2020; Omeihe, 2024). This has led us to reflect on the need for a re-evaluation of core assumptions regarding the contextual influences on minority entrepreneurship. In our assessment, this makes the current call for research particularly timely and essential.
One defining characteristic of minority entrepreneurs is the resilience they show in successfully growing their ventures despite numerous challenges (Edwards et al., 2016; Bray, 2020; Cowling et al., 2021). At a firm level, we define ethnic minority entrepreneurship as business ventures founded and managed by individuals from ethnic minority groups, who often operate within the unique socio-economic settings of their distinct cultural environments. This form of entrepreneurship is not only a means of economic participation but also serves as a crucial mechanism for social integration, empowerment, and development within these communities. On a closer inspection, minority entrepreneurs frequently face systemic barriers including, but not limited to, restricted access to capital, discrimination, and limited business networks, which can significantly influence their entrepreneurial trajectory (Keith, 1995; Ram and Smallbone 2003; Carter et al., 2015; Jones et al, 2022; Kasperova et al., 2022; Ram et al., 2022). To this end, the expectation is that a call of this nature should offer valuable insights into the intersection of ethnicity, systemic inequality, and economic dynamics in a way that provides a richer understanding of how these elements interact within their broader socio-economic context. Taking the bigger picture, our approach is to recognise that the pace and scope of such research, in part, demand a widening of perspectives.
More promising is the fact that while the research base on ethnic minority entrepreneurship has grown significantly over the past two decades, it has become apparent that context continues to dictate and determine growth and survival within socio-economic boundaries. Perhaps this perspective calls for empirical research that reveals the de facto issues at play, rather than adhering to the a priori assumption of community solidarity, which has been widely promoted by many scholars. We envision exploring the diverse facets of minority entrepreneurship from multiple perspectives. In doing so, we seek to understand both the avenues through which ethnic minority entrepreneurship operates and the frequent mismatches between skills, opportunities, occupations, and qualifications that typically characterise their experiences. These challenges compel us to continue examining these and related issues.
At the same time, there seems to be limited awareness within policy circles about the issues facing ethnic minority entrepreneurship, which are often overshadowed by a dominant focus on multinational corporations and high-value businesses. This lack of attention might explain why many researchers appear reluctant to engage deeply with the significant contributions that ethnic minority entrepreneurs make to wealth, employment, and export creation. In light of this, we note that for those who have championed research aimed at enhancing our understanding of ethnic minority entrepreneurship, this special issue call represents a triumph, in affirming the importance of challenging and refining our evolving contextual understanding.
Given these major issues, we believe that studies on ethnic minority entrepreneurship still have a way to go before they can be considered fully developed or matured. Fortunately, this special issue seeks to challenge scholars to pursue questions that explore new avenues by interrogating the ‘where’ and ‘when’ in the construction of the issues facing ethnic minority entrepreneurs, who remain startlingly underrepresented among others. On this basis, we are delighted to extend an invitation for submissions to be featured in the International Journal of Entrepreneurship Behaviour and Research. Special issues play a unique role in the journal, allowing for the exploration and highlighting of specific, underrepresented themes that may not receive adequate coverage in regular issues. As such, this special issue, promoted by the Entrepreneurship in Minority Special Interest Group at the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, aims to initiate and underscore how applying a contextual lens can capture a diversity of perspectives and generic irregularities.
List of Topic Areas
We are particularly interested in receiving high-quality submissions that address pertinent issues concerning ethnic minority entrepreneurship within emerging disciplines. We welcome pioneering methodologies for conducting and measuring ethnic minority research, as well as any exciting new areas that broaden the scope of ethnic minority studies. All of these topics align well with the journal’s remit.
Addressing questions in this special issue invites empirical and theoretical research that addresses the following questions:
- How is ethnic minority entrepreneurship perceived in different societies and cultures?
- How do unstable environments influence decisions in ethnic minority entrepreneurship?
- What role does context play in shaping strategies for ethnic minority entrepreneurs?
- How is ethnic minority entrepreneurship integral to social relationships?
- What insights are needed about ethnic minority entrepreneurship in low-trust environments?
- How does cross-cultural research redefine our understanding of ethnic minority entrepreneurship?
- What are the mechanisms for building and sustaining ethnic minority entrepreneurship across cultures?
- What factors are crucial in developing ethnic minority entrepreneurship during intercultural interactions?
- How do cultural variations impact the development of ethnic minority entrepreneurship in relationships?
- Are there patterns in how ethnic minority entrepreneurship is challenged across different cultures?
- What strategies effectively mitigate challenges faced by ethnic minority entrepreneurs in cross-cultural contexts?
- How does institutional support influence decisions in ethnic minority entrepreneurship?
- What types of strategies are essential in various contexts, and how are they developed for ethnic minority entrepreneurs?
Submission Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here:
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see:
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Deadlines
Closing date for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025