Unravelling the Dynamics of Necessity-Driven Entrepreneurs (NDEs) and Opportunity-Driven Entrepreneurs (ODEs): A Study of Immigrant Micro Enterprises (IMEs) in the Hospitality Industry

Terry Lantai (), Atle Hauge and Xiang Ying Mei
Additional contact information
Terry Lantai: Inland School of Business and Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2406 Elverum, Norway
Atle Hauge: Inland School of Business and Social Sciences, Department of Organization, Leadership and Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2406 Elverum, Norway
Xiang Ying Mei: Inland School of Business and Social Sciences, Department of Business Administration, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2406 Elverum, Norway

Tourism and Hospitality, 2024, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: The purpose of the study is to investigate the notion of Necessity-driven Entrepreneurs (NDEs) and Opportunity-driven Entrepreneurs (ODEs) among IME (Immigrant Micro Enterprise) owners in the hospitality industry and how changes in motivational traits influence business practices, innovation, and growth aspirations. In many geographical contexts, the ever-challenging hospitality industry is dominated by businesses that are immigrant-owned and of micro sizes that experience additional challenges compared to their native and large counterparts. Through qualitative research and interviews with 18 owners of restaurants and eateries in the IME category in eastern Norway, the study found that while NDE traits are dominant during start-ups, ODE traits also exist, revealing a dynamic relationship between the two and thus problematic to classify hospitality IMEs as either NDE or ODE. Experiences and close customer interactions rather than formal R&D activities inspire changes and innovations in business practices, growth aspirations, and perceptions of success. This study offers new insights into hospitality IME owners’ motivations and goals, which may be relevant in other similar industries and geographical contexts. It underscores the importance of understanding the interplay of NDE and ODE traits among IME owners and their impact on business success in the challenging industry in which they operate.

Keywords: necessity-driven entrepreneurs (NDEs); opportunity-driven entrepreneurs (ODEs); micro enterprises (MEs); immigrant entrepreneurs; innovation; hospitality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/5/4/61/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/5/4/61/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:5:y:2024:i:4:p:61-1098:d:1511403

Access Statistics for this article

Tourism and Hospitality is currently edited by Mr. Philip Li

More articles in Tourism and Hospitality from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().