Diversification in ethnic minority business: The case of Asians in London's creative industries

• Published in: Journal of small business and enterprise development 2005-01, Vol.12 (1), p.41-56
• Main Authors: Smallbone, David, Bertotti, Marcello, Ekanem, Ignatius
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Asian people; Creative industries; Design; Diversification; Economic impact; Entrepreneurs; Ethnicity; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority owned businesses; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Small business; Software; Studies; Value added
• ISSN: 1462-6004; 1758-7840
• DOI: 10.1108/14626000510579635

This paper provides an initial assessment of the nature and extent of the involvement of Asian-owned firms in the creative industries in London identifies and assesses any barriers they face, and draws out the implications for policy. Data sources included official statistical data and previous reports, as well as a programme of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 23 Asian entrepreneurs spread across eight sub-sectors. Asians are making a significant contribution to London's creative sectors, although they do face a number of specific constraints. Some of these are specific to the creative industries but others are shared with other small firms. However, few of these constraints appear to be exclusively Asian. There are some limitations relating to the small scale of the study and its focus on a single geographical location. The research shows how (cultural) diversity can contribute to creativity and the competitiveness of regional economies, as well as individual businesses. This particularly applies in the creative industries because of extensive interlinkage with firms in other sectors. In creative activities, cultural diversity is a source of potential competitiveness, because of the positive relationships between diversity, creativity and innovation. Asian owned firms in the creative sectors contrast with the low value added nature of many traditional areas of Asian business activity in the UK.