Introduction

Abstract

Ethnicity is a particularly messy concept and only the foolhardy would reduce the complexity of ethnic identity and minority status to overarching conclusions about all members of an ethnic or migrant group. At the same time, the studies illustrate a number of common themes which whilst apparent to all groups, seem to be amplified in particular migrant experience. Turkish and Polish entrepreneurs, despite their common origins as labour migrants, exemplify contrasting sets of relations with the political-institutional framework. The implication of the presence or absence of citizenship and political rights raises major questions for the development of sustainable enterprises amongst groups originally perceived by policy as short-term labour migrants, such as Turks in Germany and Mexicans in the United States. Much of the literature on Chinese migration and enterprise focuses on issues to do with ‘irregular migration’ and informal labour markets. This allows us to investigate the scissors effect and paradox found in much of the literature on ethnicity and economic action, between self-employment and small enterprise as an agency for social integration on the one hand and the tendency for many entrepreneurs to operate in informal economies which brings them into conflict with the regulatory framework on the other.