Exploring innovation in challenging contexts: The experiences of ethnic minority restaurant owners during COVID-19

Korede, Tayo; Mamun, Abdullah Al; Lassalle, Paul; Giazitzoglu, Andreas

doi:10.1177/14657503211051219

Cited by 15 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…This paper aimed to understand the survival strategies and coping mechanisms adopted by ethnic minority-owned microbusinesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings have demonstrated that adaptability and innovative management strategies played a major role in the survival of ethnic minority restaurants (Korede et al, 2021). The extant literature emphasizes the relationship between ethnic minority businesses, financing and coping mechanisms (Bruder et al, 2011;Cowling et al, 2021;Ram et al, 2003;Smallbone et al, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…In particular, the difficulty of accessing the state and other financial support resulted in ethnic minority businesses to use personal savings and access quick loans (financial support) from family and friends to meet operational costs and maintain business continuity and survival. Extant literature has argued that ethnicity and ethnic affiliation create economic and social-cultural contributions to ethnic entrepreneurs through cultural beliefs, social, emotional, and cultural ties (Chaudhry and Crick, 2004;Korede et al, 2021). Thus, it can be argued that social (and personal) network ties (with families and friends) influenced innovation adaptation among ethnic minority restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following this line of argument, Sithas and Surangi (2021) posit that the COVID-19 has aggravated ethnic business access to finance due to ethnic entrepreneurs: "lack of resources and experience with money, market, and management." Thus, it is not surprising that Korede et al (2021) call for more research considering the nuanced ways ethnic businesses adapt and innovate in response to a crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic. Ethnic minority and migrant entrepreneurs are increasingly visible in all developed western countries (e.g., Ram et al, 2001Ram et al, , 2002Czinkota et al, 2021;Dana, 2007;Li, 2019;Burke and Cowling, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2003) demonstrate that ethnic minority businesses suffer from access to external finance and bank credit due to various motives: discrimination, poor credit score, lack of a good business plan or communication issues and so on. Following this line of argument, Sithas and Surangi (2021) posit that the COVID-19 has aggravated ethnic business access to finance due to ethnic entrepreneurs: “lack of resources and experience with money, market, and management.” Thus, it is not surprising that Korede et al. (2021) call for more research considering the nuanced ways ethnic businesses adapt and innovate in response to a crisis, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Survival strategies adopted by microbusinesses during COVID-19: an exploration of ethnic minority restaurants in northern Finland

Arslan

Kamara

Zahoor

et al. 2022

IJEBR

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PurposeThis paper explores the survival strategies and coping mechanisms of ethnic minority entrepreneurs operating in the hospitality sector in northern Finland during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes qualitative research approach based on six exploratory case studies. The in-depth interviews in two phases were conducted with owners/mangers of ethnic minority entrepreneurial restaurants.FindingsThe findings reveal that all studied case firms undertook quick adjustments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, staff working hours were reduced through mutual consultation, and readjustments to the supply chain were made so that critical ingredients remain available despite the forced lockdown and supply chain bottlenecks. However, the readjustment of the supply chain was not visible in all case firms. Some of the owner-managers who were interviewed decided to keep doing business with the ethnic minority suppliers, despite some transportation problems due to lockdowns, especially in the early phases of COVID-19. Findings also suggest that the support grants announced by the state appeared not to be particularly useful for these restaurants due to restrictive eligibility criteria that many microbusinesses potentially fail to meet. Finally, the sample microbusinesses (restaurants) entrepreneurs recognize the importance of home delivery for their business survival, although they were critical of online food delivery service providers (apps) due to their high charges. Some of the case restaurants gave customers incentives for directly ordering from them, as an alternative strategy.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first studies to specifically highlight the peculiarities of ethnic minority entrepreneurship and survival dynamics in northern Finland, where running the restaurant operations, including ensuring the supply chain management, is more complex than in the case of ethnic minority restaurants in more well-connected European countries and cities with an established history of immigrant businesses. This study is also novel in terms of specifying the strategies adopted by ethnic minority businesses in adjusting to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and surviving through it. At the same time, it has shown limitations and some problems associated with accessing state support announced for the hospitality industry in response to COVID-19. Finally, it offers a new angle by explicitly highlighting the power dynamics between restaurants and food ordering platforms (apps) and the potential alternatives in this specific context.

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