Identifying Channels into Business for Somali-Swedes in the UK

Abstract

Many Somali-Swedes have over the years moved on to the UK to start businesses. What
channels do they use to enter into business in the UK? What can we learn from their
stories? This article makes a contribution to the field of immigrant migration, integration
and entrepreneurship by identifying and analysing what channels Somali-Swedes use to
integrate into the UK labour market through entrepreneurship. The analysis is based on
interviews, observations and field notes from Birmingham, Leicester and London. The
results suggest that Somali-Swedes use different channels to start business in the UK,
such as socialization, belonging, community, cultural bonds and heritage, informal
banking, public flexibility, free business introduction and making use of experience