Experience of migrant self-employment as „economisation of ethnicity”. Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs in Poland

Th e article presents the concept of “economisation of ethnicity” understood as a strategy of taking advantage of cultural resources of ethnic groups in conducting business activities. On the example of the Chinese and Indian communities it explores different ways and patterns of using ethnic cultural and ethnic social capital for the development of own enterprises. Such strategies involve for example: attracting ethnic customers, employing ethnic workers, offering ethnic goods. However, “economisation of ethnicity” means using ethnicity in a non-alienating manner. It includes also efforts of integration with the host society, for example good knowledge of Polish language and culture. The article is based on the official statistical data and results of the qualitative research conducted in years 2014–2017 within the grant project financed by the National Science Centre.