Religious Institutions and Ethnic Entrepreneurship: The Korean Ethnic Church as a Small Business Incubator

Abstract

Ethnic entrepreneurship is one of the key factors of community economic development. This article explores how religious institutions enhance ethnic entrepreneurship through social capital in the Los Angeles Korean community, which has high self-employment rates and active participation among its Christian congregations. The role of religious institutions is rarely discussed in terms of entrepreneurship. The article finds that religion-based social capital has greatly benefited the small business development of this ethnic community. Korean ethnic congregations have acted as small business incubators through social networking and capital accumulation. In addition, the article asserts that contemporary community development should reemphasize social capital, religious institutions, and entrepreneurship.

When Does Christian Religion Matter for Entrepreneurial Activity? The Contingent Effect of a Country’s Investments into Knowledge

“…Weber's (1930) seminal work on the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism laid the foundation to understand the mechanisms of how religion, an arguably personal attribute, can become prevalent in society and affect societal members. While Weber's (1930) thesis remains popular (Ryman & Turner 2007), more recent scholarship shows that the question of how religion broadly impacts the creation of new businesses remains topical (Audretsch et al 2013;Choi 2010;Dana 2009;Drakopoulou Dodd & Gotsis 2007;Drakopoulou Dodd & Seaman 1998;Galbraith & Galbraith 2007;Gotsis & Kortezi 2009;Essers & Benschop 2009;Neubert & Beard 2013;Valliere 2008). These studies can be viewed as part of a recent "theological turn" in the wider field of management and organizational studies, basically suggesting that religion 'supports' business (Dyck in press).…”

Exploring possibilities of social entrepreneurial activities as a tool to reduce unemployment amongst churches in Tshwane central and Mamelodi East: Pretoria case study

“…They are amongst some of the churches that we can learn from. Choi (2010) puts it this way: Korean churches are involved with business and community development issues directly and indirectly. Some churches and pastors hold formal programmes to inform their members of business opportunities.…”

Changes in Religious Ecology and Socioeconomic Correlates for Neighborhoods in a Metropolitan Region

“…For example, research has suggested religious institutions may help foster local entrepreneurism. In a study of Korean businesses in Los Angeles County, Choi () found religious congregations played a role in the incubation of small businesses, as both capital and customers flowed through ethnic ties forged in and among Korean Christian churches.…”