Original scientific paper
THE BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MINORITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ALBANIAN ENTREPRENEURS IN CROATIA
Antoneta Lekaj
Zrinka Gregov
orcid.org/0000-0001-9450-3079
; Veleučilište VERN’, zagreb, Hrvatska
Mirna Varlandy - Supek
; Veleučilište VERN’, zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
The research explored possibilities of self-employment and employment through minorityowned businesses. Its subject was Albanian minority entrepreneurship in Croatia. The objective was to explore the fundamental characteristics and potentials of developing minority entrepreneurship, and the purpose was to indicate the need for its encouragement as it may contribute to the development of the economy, higher levels of employment and self-employment and human rights reinforcement. Comprehensive research was conducted in order to answer the following questions: what is the current employment situation for members of the Albanian minority in Croatia; what is the current level of their business activity and what are the possibilities of its development; and what incentives for minorityowned businesses would enhance the development of Albanian minority entrepreneurship in Croatia. Following the desk research, two surveys (100 and 30 respondents) and six in depth interviews were conducted with Albanian minority entrepreneurs. The results show a rather low level of their employability. As entrepreneurs they have to rely on their own capital, be inventive and pass on their business knowledge and know-how to other members of their minority community. There is a strong bond between Albanian business owners, but most of them are not members of any entrepreneur association. They are not acquainted with the government incentives for minority-owned businesses. In Croatia there are still problems regarding the development of minority-owned businesses. Therefore we suggest improving the position of minority owned businesses in Croatia through various incentives and closer collaboration between the government and Albanian minority union.
Keywords
SMEs; minority entrepreneurship; national minorities; Albanians; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
149531
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2015.
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