Ethno-African minority entrepreneurship in Scotland: a case of socio-entrepreneurial evolution from insularity to integrative engagement

The 2011 Census showed a rise in numbers of people with ethnic minority background in Scotland. CoDE, (2014) reported that ethnic minority has increased the population of Scotland in the last decade and that one-sixth of Scotland population totalling 850,000, representing 29% is a diverse mixture of minorities. As Scotland is increasingly becoming more ethnically diverse, it is believed that it has become more important for system to support growth. This has therefore means that Scotland needs all units in the society to contribute fully to Scotland’s economic growth. The DCL Reports, (2013) identified higher aspirations among African ethnic minority entrepreneurs to start-up and run their own businesses, but encouragement to start up is very low and they are under-funded.

The authors examine the factors militating against African ethnic minority’s entrepreneurial activities in Scotland. The central focus of research investigates the nature of enterprise support provision to African Ethnic Minority Businesses (AEMBs), with the purpose to stimulate discussion and debate as well as to explore approaches for encouraging greater integration of African ethnic minority into the small business sector in Scotland.

The method of investigation will be qualitative, using the instruments of in-depth interviews and action enquiry approach. This will be corroborated with archival documentation.

It is expected that the research output will define and reflect experiences of African ethnic minority community with regard to their engagement in entrepreneurial activities in Scotland.