Still an ethnic enterprise after a generational change? Indian-owned SMEs in Malaysia

• Published in: Journal of Southeast Asian studies (Singapore) Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 297 - 322
• Main Authors: Xavier, Jesrina Ann, Gomez, Edmund Terence
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-06-2018
• Subjects: Bonacich, Edna; Companies; Cultural heritage; Cultural identity; Employment; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Evolution; Holding companies; Migrants; Migration; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority owned businesses; Owners; Services; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Small and medium sized companies; Small business; Studies; Textiles; Southeast Asia; Malaysia; Singapore; India; Malacca Malaysia; United Kingdom > UK; Penang Malaysia
• ISSN: 0022-4634; 1474-0680
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022463418000231

This study grapples with two key puzzles: first, what happens when companies established as ethnic-based enterprises, including by migrants, are passed on to the next generation? Second, do these migrant businesses remain as ethnic enterprises after generational transitions? The empirical focus of this study is Malaysia, a country with one of the largest ethnic Indian populations outside India. To provide insights into these questions, this article pays particular attention to how an ethnic enterprise functions, in terms of types of goods and services produced and its targeted market, after the emergence of a new generation of owners with more class resources. The evidence from this study will provide insights into the validity of the concept of ethnic enterprise following a generational transition.