Understanding religion and spirituality in ethnic minority businesses

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Doldor, Sabina (2017). Understanding religion and spirituality in ethnic minority businesses. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis aims to explore and provide a better understanding of the ways in which religion and spirituality, as social constructs, impact on ethnic entrepreneurship. The choice to focus on religion and spirituality was informed by the gap in the literature as well as the increasing emphasis on the importance of integrating issues related to these sets of values in the wider contemporary business discourse.
The research project is grounded in the mixed embeddedness framework and argues that, although very complex, this model focusses too much on opportunity structures, ethnic and social capitals while failing to acknowledge the potential of religious and spiritual values in shaping ethnic firms. In this concern I have used qualitative triangulation to build 11 in-depth case studies of ethnic minority businesses.
The findings have shown that religious and spiritual capitals are important in same spheres of the business such as forming social support networks, shaping business decision, motivation and aspirations, employee relations and constructing a positive company culture. Additionally, the evidence suggests that spiritual values are likely to encourage the participation of women in ethnic entrepreneurship. However, their influence is not representative for matters related to accessing and utilising financial capitals.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):