Ethnic Economy in Milano: The Case of the Turkish Immigrants in the Kebab Sector

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Date
2023
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AESOP
Abstract
The concept of ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the economy represents the employment patterns in a particular country. Ethnic economies consist of immigrants from a specific ethnic group who are either self-employed or employ other members of the same ethnic group. Immigrants often experience discrimination and exclusion in the labor market and the outcome of this process is a high rate of unemployment. Ethnic economies seem to have emerged to provide a potential alternative to unemployment for immigrants. Comprising a big part of urban economies, immigrant entrepreneurs may create their own businesses and support other immigrants if the business reaches success. Besides contributing to the economics of the countries, immigrant entrepreneurs also open the way for the integration of immigrants in their new host societies. By creating an ethnic economy to overcome discrimination and exclusion, immigrants are making themselves attractive and integrated into the host society. In Italy, many immigrants who came from Turkey and eventually settled in Milano between 1988-2010 are self-employed in the kebab fast-food restaurant sector. Interviews showed that most of them migrated as asylum-seekers, looking for work, study, and living. The research findings from this study provide valuable insights into the significant role played by the ethnic economy in the integration process of Turkish immigrants within the city of Milano. Furthermore, these findings also shed light on the broader impact of the ethnic economy on societal dynamics and urban development within the region, more broadly.
Description
plaNext-Next Generation Planning Vol. 13 (2023) Exploring Human Well-Being and Community Dynamics
Keywords
ethnic entrepreneurs, integration, ethnic economy, migration, ethnicity
License
CC-BY-NC
Citation
Ergan, Ş., B. (2023). Ethnic Economy in Milano: The Case of the Turkish Immigrants in the Kebab Sector. plaNext – next generation planning. 13: 28-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24306/plnxt/85.
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