Migration, cultural identity and assimilation effects on entrepreneurship for the overseas Chinese in Britain

Abstract

An exploratory study was carried out by the author to investigate the relationship between OC cultural identity, acculturation to British society and propensity towards entrepreneurship of the second generation British-born Chinese (thereafter referred to as BBC). Past research indicates that individuals born into familes of small business owners tend to follow their parent's footsteps (Curran, et al; 1991); thus this study assumes that propensity towards entrepreneurship is influenced by the occupation of parents and that, for the OC, the type of business engaged in and the degree of acculturation achieved with host communities are also key factors.