Social networks, local opportunities and entrepreneurship among immigrants in Israel

This chapter aims to evaluate past experiences on immigrant entrepreneurship in Israel, in light of international experience, and the new needs and expectations in Israel. It focuses on an extensive study of location and entrepreneurial activity of ethnic groups in Israel, parts of which have been published elsewhere. N. Greenwood emphasized the unfavorable climate for entrepreneurship which has made Israel one of the few non-Communist countries where Jews do not gravitate to small business. Excessive dispersal of immigrants may impair prospects for the evolution of supportive ethnic networks and reduce the availability of entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurship in Israel has played a different role in the mobility routes of immigrants of various countries of origin. The small-business survey confirmed the census analysis indicating the major role of ethnicity in explaining variations in entrepreneurship. Excessive dispersal of immigrants may impair prospects for the evolution of supportive ethnic networks and reduce the availability of entrepreneurial opportunities.