Social networks and identity evolution in immigrant entrepreneurship: a processual account from a community-based market in the UK

Purpose This paper develops a process model explaining how entrepreneurial identity and entrepreneurial self-efficacy evolve within an enterprising community. Focusing on an immigrant-owned food stall in a UK Market, this study aims to explore how social networks and local institutional support influence distinct phases of identity evolution. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a theory-elaborating, process-oriented single-case qualitative design, the research involved a combination of personal narrative, semi-structured interviews and follow-up discussions, complemented by contextual data from local policies and market documentation. An iterative thematic analysis identified key turning points in the entrepreneur’s journey, capturing the roles of macro-level policies, meso-level community networks and micro-level personal motivations. Findings The findings reveal that entrepreneurial identity does not evolve solely through incremental adjustments but unfolds through three analytically distinct phases – awareness, acknowledgment and affirmation. Social networks, including diaspora ties and peer mentorship, emerged as critical enablers at each phase, facilitating both resource access and legitimacy. Practical implications The study suggests that local councils and NGOs should design phased support interventions that align with distinct stages of entrepreneurial identity formation, focusing on mentorship, language resources and culturally inclusive market access. Social implications Enhanced understanding of immigrant entrepreneurs’ identity trajectories can inform more inclusive policy frameworks, facilitating economic integration and social cohesion within local markets. Originality/value This study contributes by analytically elaborating a process model of entrepreneurial identity evolution within enterprising communities, highlighting how phase transitions are enabled by social networks and institutional recognition. It offers an analytically grounded lens for understanding how discrete identity transitions can better capture the dynamics of immigrant entrepreneurship.