The influence of ethnicity on Entrepreneurship Opportunity Formation (EOF) amongst immigrants

Recognizing and exploiting business opportunities is a critical competence for potential, nascent and existing entrepreneurs. From entrepreneurial perspectives, the meaning of the terms 'ethnicity' and 'entrepreneurship' have been questioned by many scholars in recent years. Hence, a disagreement over their interpretational meanings and use has arisen. This chapter does not question the validity of this debate, but instead it will explore how ethnicity influences business opportunity formation (BOF) and propose a model of analysis. This will include examining 'ethnicity' from a three-dimensional point of view based on the works of Aldrich and Waldinger before moving to explore the relationship between 'ethnicity' and entrepreneurship'. The work is based on primary research undertaken on 4 ethnic groups (Nigeria, Poland, Brazil, and Pakistan) in Ireland and the different approaches that were adopted by the various ethnic groups in setting up, running and managing their businesses in Dublin.