'Apprentice entrepreneurs'? Ethnic minority workers in the independent restaurant sector

Citation
M. Ram et al., 'Apprentice entrepreneurs'? Ethnic minority workers in the independent restaurant sector, WORK EMPLOY, 15(2), 2001, pp. 353-372
Citations number
56
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Sociology & Antropology
Journal title
WORK EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIETY
ISSN journal
0950-0170 → ACNP
Volume
15
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
353 - 372
Database
ISI
SICI code
0950-0170(200106)15:2<353:'EEMWI>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
Ethnic minority business activity has often been presented as a vehicle for 'upward mobility' for owners and workers alike. Much attention has focused upon the owners themselves. The co-ethnic labour that such employers usual ly rely upon has often been treated as unproblematic. This paper aims to il luminate the experiences of workers in ethnic minority owned restaurants. I n particular, the widely held view that working in a coethnic firm serves a s an 'apprenticeship' for eventual self-employment is explored. Rather than co-ethnic ties, workers' labour market experiences highlight th e importance of the 'opportunity structure' in shaping employment choices. The evidence of the current research suggests that the goal of self-employm ent was not widely held; and although many workers did move around to acqui re better paid work, this was not part of a strategic route to becoming a r estaurateur. Some workers did cherish such ambitions, but were inhibited by major obstacles.These included intense competition, high start-up costs, a nd a lack of 'know-how'. The labour market and social context of the firm o ften militated against the hazardous proposition of self-employment.