Ethnic entrepreneurs: pushed into survival self-employed or appealed by real entrepreneurial opportunities? Ethnic entrepreneurship and environmental context in Italy

This study aims to inquire into phenomenon of ethnic entrepreneurship in Italy. Despite the rather strong intensity of this phenomenon in the Italian context, it has not yet received proper attention. We have assumed a research angle based on external factors that may trigger ethnic entrepreneurship. In particular we have analyzed the environmental and institutional context at the regional level with specific attention given to job integration, social inclusiveness and territorial attractiveness. Globally, our results seem to confirm that entrepreneurship in immigrant communities is basically a forced choice in reply to adverse conditions. However, if different categories of entrepreneurial activities – self-employment or firm formation – are studied almost opposite trends emerge.