Is resistance futile? Acculturation and disadvantage theory in immigrant entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurial opportunity often has origins in demographic shifts, such as those caused by immigration, but disadvantage theory suggests that for cultural reasons, incongruence often exists between immigrants' economic aspirations, and the opportunities available in host countries. Thus, in the context of entrepreneurship, this paper investigates the acculturation strategies of immigrant entrepreneurs in their host countries and how these may manifest in entrepreneurial action. Berry's (1997) five acculturation strategies of integration, assimilation, separation/segregation, and marginalisation are considered. The paper also considers the influence of disadvantage theory and cross-vergence theory (Ralston et al., 1993a, 1993b) in strengthening and weakening the relationship between acculturation strategy and the foci of entrepreneurial ventures. Investigating the interaction between home and host country cultures, as manifest in entrepreneurial action, should provide a deeper understanding of immigrant populations' entrepreneurial experience. Implications for future research, policy, and practise are advanced and discussed.