The factors that facilitated the emergences of ethnic entrepreneurship among Albanian immigrants in Thessaloniki-Greece

Abstract

Nowadays the immigrant entrepreneurs are playing a key role in the global economy. In Europe the idea of integration of people in other countries is also a project of some political groups. The aim of this dissertation was to determine the distinctiveness and business shape of small companies in the city of Thessaloniki created by Albanian immigrants. One of the objectives of the research is to recognize social incorporation and business development of small businesses owned by immigrants. In addition, it will examine the Albanian immigrant arrival in Greece and their incorporation within the host society. For better understanding, will be presented some literature about theoretical models and their objectives of how immigrants became entrepreneurs, instead of being part of the labor market community. For this reason we conducted a qualitative research methodology in order to develop more accurate findings about the Albanian immigrants in Thessaloniki and their decision to become entrepreneurs. The results gathered from this research showed that the Albanian immigrants decided to immigrate in Greece for better economic and lifestyle conditions. The reason behind the idea to become entrepreneurs was influenced by factors which could secure a safer future for them. Some of these factors were the experience they had in that particular type of business, higher income and easier way to incorporate with the host society. At the end it was recommended that further research is needed in order to find data which better match the reality of the Albanian immigrants in Greece and the reasons that influenced then to become entrepreneurs.