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Community Resources and Opportunities in Ethnic Economies: A Case Study of Portuguese and Black Entrepreneurs in Toronto

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  • Carlos Teixeira

    (Department of Geography, University of Toronto (St George and Scarborough), 100 St George Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G3, cteixeira@idirect.com)

Abstract

Relatively few attempts have been made by geographers in Canada to study the structure and development of ethnic entrepreneurship among immigrant groups, and particularly among visible minorities. The purpose of this study is to examine the behaviour, strategies and barriers faced by owners of ethnic businesses in order to evaluate how race and ethnicity impact upon entrepreneurship. In particular, the study aims at investigating whether intergroup differences exist with respect to the utilisation of group resources (such as family, friends, and community support/ties) and how these resources contribute to the formation, maintenance and success of Portuguese- and Black-owned businesses. Data were obtained from a questionnaire survey that was administered to Portuguese and Black entrepreneurs in the Toronto CMA. The evidence indicates that Portuguese differ significantly from Black entrepreneurs in that they rely more often on their community ('ethnic') resources. However, Black entrepreneurs encountered more barriers in starting and/or operating their current business, particularly in obtaining credit/loans from financial institutions and banks. Nonetheless, despite such barriers, Black entrepreneurs are more optimistic than the Portuguese with respect to the future of their businesses. The 'demographic revolution' that is taking place in Canada, and particularly in Toronto—with the arrival of important contingents of visible minorities—is pointed to by Black entrepreneurs as one of the major reasons for their optimism regarding the growth of Black entrepreneurship in Toronto.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Teixeira, 2001. "Community Resources and Opportunities in Ethnic Economies: A Case Study of Portuguese and Black Entrepreneurs in Toronto," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 38(11), pages 2055-2078, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:38:y:2001:i:11:p:2055-2078
    DOI: 10.1080/00420980120080934
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    Cited by:

    1. Qingfang Wang, 2010. "Immigration and Ethnic Entrepreneurship: A Comparative Study in the United States," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(3), pages 430-458, September.
    2. Aissa Mosbah & Kalsom Binti Abd Wahab, 2018. "Factors Influencing Performance of Immigrant Service Firms," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 8(2), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Lucia Lo & Carlos Teixeira, 2015. "Immigrants Doing Business in a Mid-sized Canadian City: Challenges, Opportunities, and Local Strategies in Kelowna, British Columbia," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(4), pages 631-653, December.

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