ETHNIC ENTREPRENEURS IN AMERICA LARGEST METROPOLITAN-AREAS

Using 1990 census data, the authors compare 77 immigrant and ethnic gr oups in the 16 largest metropolitan regions in the United States. They find that the interaction effect of location and ethnicity on ethnic entrepreneurship is evident not only in self-employment rates but also in niche concentrations and niche competition. Their results reveal a distinction between mainstream groups and nonmainstream groups. Compa red to mainstream groups, nonmainstream groups are more context resist ant. That is, they concentrate in few entrepreneurial niches and displ ay high niche continuity across metropolitan regions. Group competitio n influences niche concentrations, but an adverse impact on black entr epreneurship is not apparent.