L AUDITIV O KINESTESIC O LECTO – ESCRITO R

The respondents were also asked whether their business had grown over the last five years. In the majority of cases, there was a definite business expansion notwithstanding the general economic difficulties experienced as a result of the Global Financial Crisis. This is indicated by the quotes below:

Yes, we employed four extra staff, indicating that we have grown slightly (Case No 1). In general we are predicting growth and we have been growing ever since (Case No 2). We are steady, kind of holding in fact; we have not achieved as we anticipated, but we are optimistic in future of better times to come (Case No 8).

Yes, we doubled in the past five years. This was expected since we never stopped working hard and long hours (Case No 32).

However, only a small number of interviewees indicated that global economic downturn did affect their growth, which in one instance was brought about by a deliberate hold on growth, and in another case the closing down of a business. We quote some responses below:

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In fact we shrank a bit – reason behind is I am not prepared to work as hard since I am getting older and wiser, I want to enjoy life and not just work (Case No 24).

No, we did not grow, in fact we shrank and unfortunately we are closing down (Case No 4). Considering that no respondent had reported that they had received any professional advice during this time, and that most businesses investigated were on the rise and expanding, this suggests that there are possibly some “hidden” features in play. Whilst in most cases hard work and long hours are the ingredients of their survival, the stability of culturally specific markets and clientele might explain the remarkable resilience of this group in the face of the general economic downturn. Some relevant comments here were:

Yes, we work hard and long hours and this is the key to existence and success (Case No 12). Knowing how to look after your customers is most important and this is what kept us in business so far. However, the quality of our products and service is hard to find elsewhere (Case No 7).

4.23 Summary

In summary, two groups of arrivals were from different socio-economic backgrounds, were seen as different in terms of their age, English knowledge, education and the purpose of their arrival. Close to two thirds of those interviewed came to Australia in the 1960s to 1990s, and their personal reasons for emigrating were varied but similar. Early arrivals were arriving in Australia due to their own will. They were dissatisfied with the economic and political system of their country. However, the latter group expressed their economic dissatisfaction as well as problems due to the War that started in the 1990s.

Both groups were effortlessly accustoming to the Australian way of living and were not concentrating in areas where only Croatian migrants lived. Croatian migrants were rather more integrative with the native born population. The Croatian ethnic enclave was not as restrictive as it might have been with some other groups. Early arrivals waited longer periods before starting their own businesses, possibly because they had better economic conditions on their arrival, as opposed to the latter group of arrivals. All indications are that the latter group waited a lesser period of time before starting in business, and this is possibly due to the availability of more co-ethnic networks and the creation of a “home-like” environment. Many respondents in

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this study came to Australia with no English knowledge, yet some others could communicate fluently.

The interviewees in this study came to Australia at various stages of their life; however, there was not much of an age difference between these groups at the start of their business ventures, which is considered optimal according to GEM (2012).

Early arrivals talked about the availability of work, and many chose factory and building work. The latter group were choosier and were more selective; this may be because they had higher educational attainment and spoke better English. In general all interviewees found work. Many of the later arrivals were fortunate because they were assisted by family or friends, an observation which again underscores the importance of the existence of an established ethnic community.

Early arrivals primarily started their journey from Government camps, however, the later arrivals ended up with family and friends. Furthermore, there were no visible differences between the two groups regarding the reasons behind starting a business, nor was there much of a difference in financing the business. There was a lack of reliance on banking finance and more on family and friends.

All of the participants worked for an employer before starting their own business and more than 50% indicated that they learnt many tricks of the trade before they opened business in the same field in which they were working. Indeed, according to the responses this study received, one of the major reasons that they chose their line of business was these prior experiences. Most respondents expressed the opinion that the business they are in was easy to start, required a small amount of initial capital outlay, and was easy to operate. All of the above is further discussed in the next chapter (Chapter 5).

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Findings and Discussion

5.1 Introduction

This chapter further analyses the findings of the research that has been presented in the previous chapter. The discussion primarily presents an account of Croatian immigrants’ pre-migration work experiences, analyses available evidence for any apparent motivations for them to become entrepreneurs in Australia and compares these overall observations with available literature where appropriate. In parallel with these developing ideas, perspectives from existing theories of ethnic entrepreneurship are introduced in order to deepen our understanding of these motivations.

Additionally, the study throughout this discussion makes references to two different groups of Croatian migrants which are distinguished by their time of arrival, and points to their differences in regards to evidence of entrepreneurial attitude.

Further to this, key findings are mentioned and compared with the appropriate literature. Following this analysis, the study presents possible motivational factors that were revealed by the respondents. This has allowed us to identify the most relevant conceptual theories to assist in the interpretation of our findings.

As indicated in the research question that drives this work, identification and consideration of the main inspirations held by these respondents for becoming entrepreneurs is the main intention of this research, and therefore particular emphasis is placed on any suggestions or evidence that contribute to this interest.