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Pakistani entrepreneurship and its socio-cultural correlates: A mixed-method study in Hong Kong = 巴基斯坦人之創業能力與社會文化因素的關係：一項香港的混合方法研究
Principal Investigator
Department
Grant Awarding Body
Research Grants Council
Grant Type
Faculty Development Scheme
Project Code
UGC/FDS15/H05/24
Amount Awarded
HK$744,283
Funding Year
2024-2025
Duration of the Project
24 months
Status
Ongoing
Abstract
Ethnic minority entrepreneurship has garnered significant attention from both academics and practitioners as a means to improve the economic status and upward socio-economic mobility of underprivileged groups. However, existing scholarship on South Asian entrepreneurship often treats this group as homogeneous, overlooking the specific experiences of Pakistanis. Compared to Indians and Nepalese, Pakistanis are recognized as an underprivileged group in terms of socio-economic status and employment opportunities. Moreover, most studies on South Asian entrepreneurship in Hong Kong have been qualitative in nature, providing fragmented evidence on the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. A comprehensive theoretical framework that explains the factors influencing business initiation, discrimination experiences, social capital, and living conditions of Pakistanis is lacking. This study aims to address these research gaps by investigating Pakistani entrepreneurship and its socio-cultural correlates in Hong Kong through a mixed-methods research design.
Since the 1980s, researchers have developed theories to explore factors influencing the development of ethnic businesses, including discrimination, social capital, and ethnic enclave economies. In this proposed study, these theories will be incorporated for analytical purposes. The research design will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative focus group interviews and quantitative survey questionnaires. Qualitative data from the focus group interviews will provide rich contextual information on entrepreneurs’ difficulties and coping strategies, while the quantitative data will facilitate a deeper understanding of socio-cultural factors related to the establishment of Pakistani enterprises. Six focus groups, comprising a total of 30 Pakistani entrepreneurs, will be conducted to generate insights into business initiation and the mobilization of social and cultural resources available to Pakistanis. Subsequently, quantitative data will be collected from a structured survey involving 150 ethnic entrepreneurs. The survey questions will cover areas such as social capital, life experiences, perceived discrimination, and demographic characteristics. This mixed-methods approach will ensure a balance between the breadth and depth of the collected information.
In addition to making academic contributions by testing relevant theories and utilizing a mixed-methods approach that reflects the real situation, this study will have practical implications for NGOs serving ethnic minorities. The findings can help create social bonds and facilitate collaboration among Pakistani entrepreneurs, thereby assisting them in sustaining their businesses and improving their quality of life. Additionally, the research findings will highlight the obstacles that Pakistanis may encounter along their path to success. This study can serve as a valuable baseline for future comparisons between the Pakistani community and other successful ethnic communities, allowing for a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to their achievements.
Since the 1980s, researchers have developed theories to explore factors influencing the development of ethnic businesses, including discrimination, social capital, and ethnic enclave economies. In this proposed study, these theories will be incorporated for analytical purposes. The research design will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative focus group interviews and quantitative survey questionnaires. Qualitative data from the focus group interviews will provide rich contextual information on entrepreneurs’ difficulties and coping strategies, while the quantitative data will facilitate a deeper understanding of socio-cultural factors related to the establishment of Pakistani enterprises. Six focus groups, comprising a total of 30 Pakistani entrepreneurs, will be conducted to generate insights into business initiation and the mobilization of social and cultural resources available to Pakistanis. Subsequently, quantitative data will be collected from a structured survey involving 150 ethnic entrepreneurs. The survey questions will cover areas such as social capital, life experiences, perceived discrimination, and demographic characteristics. This mixed-methods approach will ensure a balance between the breadth and depth of the collected information.
In addition to making academic contributions by testing relevant theories and utilizing a mixed-methods approach that reflects the real situation, this study will have practical implications for NGOs serving ethnic minorities. The findings can help create social bonds and facilitate collaboration among Pakistani entrepreneurs, thereby assisting them in sustaining their businesses and improving their quality of life. Additionally, the research findings will highlight the obstacles that Pakistanis may encounter along their path to success. This study can serve as a valuable baseline for future comparisons between the Pakistani community and other successful ethnic communities, allowing for a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to their achievements.