Take a break: a typology of immigrant enterprise growth strategies in non-traditional entrepreneurship settings

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine how Asian immigrant entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) pursue enterprise growth in a non-traditional, migrant-majority Gulf economy. By integrating the mixed embeddedness perspective with forms of capital and risk orientation, the authors develop a typology of growth strategies that extends the dominant breakout–breakthrough continuum. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on 66 semi-structured interviews among first-generation Asian immigrant entrepreneurs from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey and a group of transnational Asians. Using Template Analysis, we explored how variations in human, social and financial capital interact with risk orientation to shape growth choices. Findings Four distinct strategies emerged, differentiated by capital configurations, risk propensities and market focus. Breaking Back and Breaking Through, prevalent among South and East Asian entrepreneurs, relied on strong co-ethnic social capital but modest financial and human capital and were concentrated in enclave and low-value-added sectors. Breaking Beyond, typical of transnational Asians from developed economies and Breaking Out, common among Iranian, Turkish and Afghan entrepreneurs, involved greater financial investment and higher risk-taking to serve mainstream and high-value markets. Originality/value The study advances immigrant entrepreneurship research by offering a capital–risk typology that extends mixed embeddedness in a Gulf context. It shows that, unlike Western settings, where enclaves often signal marginalisation, Dubai’s multicultural, policy-driven environment enables diverse strategic pathways. The findings sharpen the theory of mixed embeddedness and provide policymakers with guidance on how institutional conditions and visa regimes can foster the growth of immigrant enterprises.