Making the link: households and small business activity in a multi-ethnic context

The ‘family’ is frequently mentioned in assessments of the apparent distinctiveness

of ethnic minority enterprise. Family involvement can account for the ‘success’ of some ethnic

groups, and low rates of small business activity in others. Implicitly, such debates are recognition

of the importance of the nature of the household and small business. However, few studies in

Britain make explicit the link between household dynamics and ethnic minority business

activity. This paper examines how households from a variety of ethnic communities impinge

upon ‘family’ enterprise operating in the independent restaurant sector. In-depth interviews with

family members from 37 micro-business households are drawn upon to illuminate three

particular issues: the role of family members in the business; the impact of household dynamics

on business activity; and the nature of ‘second-generation’ involvement in the family business.

The ? ndings highlight the gendered nature of roles within the micro-business household, and the

importance of extended family ties to small business activity. However, the involvement of

predominantly second-generation family members could not be regarded as an example of

uncomplicated family collectivities at work. Rather, their presence was more a product of limited

labour market choices, socialisation, and power relations within the household.