Identity and the multi-levelled structure of disadvantage among Chinese female migrant entrepreneurs in Scotland

Issues surrounding diversity and entrepreneurship have received much interest in research and public policy over the last couple of decades. This thesis aims to contribute to this body of work by studying Chinese female migrant entrepreneurs (CFMEs)’s and how with their multiple identities cope with barriers faced in both their business and family contexts. This thesis used grounded theory to investigate CFMEs’ experience by unpacking the multiple layers of disadvantage they contend with. First, the micro-level explores the patriarchal culture in Chinese families and households and its implications for female entrepreneurs. Second, themeso-level evaluates how CFMEs cope with limited access to resources for their business as well as unfair treatment in the community. Lastly, our analysis of how CFMEs experience the macro-level assesses whether it is challenging for CFMEs to integrate into local business networks. This research followed the interpretive method to explore Chinese female migrant entrepreneurs’ experience between business and family multiple identities. Seventeen interviews were conducted to analyse the participants’ narrative. Data was systematically accumulated through an inductive approach to ensure accuracy. Overall, the contributions are developed in three aspects. First, it makes a theoretical contribution to entrepreneurship and identities fields by introducing a novel concept, identity switch, to extend multiple identities concept. The thesis posits that CFMEs use and switch their multiple identities in a dynamic way to cope with the barriers and disadvantage they face at the micro, meso and macro levels. Second, the identity switch concept helps explain CFMEs’ identity work. Further, it helps articulate the coping methods CFMEs use to deal with “trouble” between business and family. Finally, this study makes a bridge to link social identity theory and intersectionality theory to explore CFMEs’ coping methods to navigate disadvantage and expand access and employment of business resources to become successful entrepreneurs.Issues surrounding diversity and entrepreneurship have received much interest in research and public policy over the last couple of decades. This thesis aims to contribute to this body of work by studying Chinese female migrant entrepreneurs (CFMEs)’s and how with their multiple identities cope with barriers faced in both their business and family contexts. This thesis used grounded theory to investigate CFMEs’ experience by unpacking the multiple layers of disadvantage they contend with. First, the micro-level explores the patriarchal culture in Chinese families and households and its implications for female entrepreneurs. Second, themeso-level evaluates how CFMEs cope with limited access to resources for their business as well as unfair treatment in the community. Lastly, our analysis of how CFMEs experience the macro-level assesses whether it is challenging for CFMEs to integrate into local business networks. This research followed the interpretive method to explore Chinese female migrant entrepreneurs’ experience between business and family multiple identities. Seventeen interviews were conducted to analyse the participants’ narrative. Data was systematically accumulated through an inductive approach to ensure accuracy. Overall, the contributions are developed in three aspects. First, it makes a theoretical contribution to entrepreneurship and identities fields by introducing a novel concept, identity switch, to extend multiple identities concept. The thesis posits that CFMEs use and switch their multiple identities in a dynamic way to cope with the barriers and disadvantage they face at the micro, meso and macro levels. Second, the identity switch concept helps explain CFMEs’ identity work. Further, it helps articulate the coping methods CFMEs use to deal with “trouble” between business and family. Finally, this study makes a bridge to link social identity theory and intersectionality theory to explore CFMEs’ coping methods to navigate disadvantage and expand access and employment of business resources to become successful entrepreneurs