Dr Spinder Dhaliwal
Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship
Qualifications: PhD; MBA;BA(hons); FRSA; Cert.in Teaching and Learning in HE; International Teachers Programme
Email: s.dhaliwal@surrey.ac.uk
Phone: Work: 01483 68 2122
Room no: 63 MS 03
Office hours
Office hours will normally be:
Mondays: 12 - 2pm
Wednesdays: 1 - 2pm
Further information
Biography
Spinder has written extensively about the Asian business community and compiles Britain’s Richest Asians in Success magazine for Eastern Eye reflecting her long held interest in the field. She wrote the influential study “Silent Contributors – Asian Female Entrepreneurs and Women in Business” which highlighted this important, yet often neglected, issue. Her report for Barclays Bank entitled, ‘Asian entrepreneurs in the UK’ received global attention.
Spinder has developed what the Daily Mail described as a “high flying career” which spans academia, writing and the media. Spinder was both founder and director of the Centre for Asian Entrepreneurial Research (CAER). Spinder knows all about the challenges of the Asian entrepreneur from first hand experience. Her father, who came to the UK from the Punjab in the 1960s, ran a corner shop in which Spinder balanced the demands of a busy family business with high academic achievement. She attended Warwick University as an undergraduate and was awarded her Doctorate from Brunel University before embarking on an academic career.
The Spinder Files - Asian entrepreneurship in the UK
In these video podcasts Dr Spinder Dhaliwal introduces the study of entrepreneurship, and tells the story of 4 Asian entrepreneurs who found success in the UK.
The 5 episodes of The Spinder Files are available to watch in embedded HD video (best quality) through the links below.
Episode 1: Introducing Entrepreneurship
Episode 2: Perween Warsi: founder of S&A Foods
Episode 3: Lord Karan Bilimoria: founder of Cobra Beer
Episode 4: Sir Gulam Noon and Noon Products PLC
Episode 5: Dinesh Dhamija and ebookers.com
Research Interests
Spinder's main research focus is the small business sector and ethnic minority businesses in the UK. Having grown up in a small business environment Spinder has been actively researching the area for several years. As well as this, Spinder is interested in female entrepreneurship.
Publications
Journal articles
- . (2010) 'Teaching Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Building on the Singapore Experiment'. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT, 16 (3), pp. 314-315.
- . (2010) 'Training Women to win: A Practical Perspective on the Training Needs of Women Entrepreneurs'. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 2 (3), pp. 287-290.
- . (2010) 'Help or Hindrance - South Asian Women in the Family Firm.'. Journal of Family Business Studies, 4 (1), pp. 5-23.
- . (2009) 'Training Women to Win: Women and Enterprise Development in the UK'. Journal of Business and Entreprenership, 21 (2)
- . (2009) 'Disconnections in management theory and practice'. Journal of Management Philosophy, 7 (3)
- .
(2008) 'Business support and minority ethnic businesses in England'. Taylor & Francis Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, 6 (2), pp. 230-246.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178666/
Abstract
This paper considers the attitudes of minority ethnic businesses (MEBs) in England towards current business support provision. Fifty business owners/owner-managers from the Asian, African-Caribbean and Korean communities were contacted and through a semi-structured interview, were able to elaborate on their experiences, if any, of business support provision. The study found different attitudes and levels of take-up of business support across the different communities with African-Caribbeans being most positive towards any business support initiatives. Asian businesses tended to rely more on informal support networks and Korean companies were the least engaged with formal support structures and mechanisms. The findings suggest that policy makers need to appreciate the diversity of MEBs and policies aimed at helping such businesses should reflect this diversity. This research adds to the growing literature on minority ethnic businesses in the UK and has lessons for minority groups and business providers in other countries facing similar business and cultural challenges.
- .
(2008) 'The Asian Business Sector and the Dynamics of Change: A Story of growth, diversity and success in the UK'. Emerald Equal Opportunities International, 27 (3), pp. 221-236.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178675/
Abstract
Purpose – The Asian business community has been noted for its contribution to the UK economy. This vibrant sector of the small to medium-sized enterprises population serves to illustrate diversity in terms of spanning sectors including manufacturing and services, entertainment and fashion, hotels and property, food and pharmaceuticals. This paper seeks to draw out trends within this increasingly important sector of the economy. Design/methodology/approach – The study reports on a research project which comprises the latest phase in a seven-year, longitudinal study of the richest 200 Asian business people in the UK. Findings – The analysis suggests that the Asian business community has delivered significant and sustained growth which is higher than average growth in the UK. Originality/value – For policy makers and the business support community, this paper offers a greater understanding of the dynamics behind the success stories and thus offers opportunities to tailor any engagement with this community appropriately. For academics it adds to the growing literature of minority ethnic businesses in the UK.
- . (2007) 'Theory and practice, strategy and sustainabitity'. EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LIMITED MANAGEMENT DECISION, 45 (1), pp. 5-9.
- .
(2007) 'Dynamism and enterprise: Asian female entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom'. Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, 5 (2), pp. 45-64.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178668/
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to see how Asian female entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom have developed and to increase our understanding of this entrepreneurial minority. The study looks at some of the more successful Asian women who are prominent in the United Kingdom by being featured in the top 200 Asian rich list. Both primary and secondary sources were used to profile these women. Open ended face-to-face interviews were also conducted with Asian women from second/third generations who had some business ownership stake in the more traditional low value added, labour intensive businesses. Questions centred around why they started their business, the support they received, the challenges facing them specifically as Asian women in business both at start up and beyond, their aspirations for the future of the business and their motivations.The findings show that the gap appears to have widened between the more successful Asian business woman and those women who are still opting for low value added, labour intensive firms. The practical implications of this study are that Asian women are an increasingly important part of the SME group and thus increasing the quality of business provision, advice, start up and growth would make this vital sector even more productive. This study will also help sensitise and inform business support agents, banks, advisors both public sector and private. Understanding the needs of this entrepreneurial minority is important for academic, policy makers and support professionals. © 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
- .
(2006) 'The take up of business support by minority ethnic enterprises: the experience of South Asian businesses in England'. Springer International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 2 (1), pp. 79-91.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178665/
Abstract
This research contributes to a greater understanding of minority ethnic business (MEB) needs and practices and helps identify the support needs of minority ethnic firms in relation to existing support provision. The aims are, therefore, to examine the take-up of support by minority ethnic enterprises focusing mainly on the South Asian community with some representation from the African-Caribbean and Korean communities. Fifty minority ethnic businesses across South West London were contacted and semi-structured interviews took place with the owner/owner managers. The findings suggest that policy makers need to appreciate the diversity of MEBs and policies aimed at these businesses should reflect that diversity.
- . (2006) 'The take-up of business support by minority ethnic enterprises: The experience of South Asian businesses in England'. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 2 (1), pp. 79-91.
- .
(2006) 'Asians in the UK: gender, generations and enterprise'. Emerald Equal Opportunities International, 25 (2), pp. 92-108.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178669/
Abstract
Purpose – Asian immigrant entrepreneurs in the UK have been used as examples of what can be done through free enterprise. Academic interest is developing in the changes taking place as newer generations emerge. Seeks to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A small-scale qualitative study was undertaken with interviews of five men and five women entrepreneurs of the second generation. The issues explored included their background, the factors that have influenced, facilitated or inhibited their decision to become self-employed, their experiences of entrepreneurship and the particular issues that confronted them. Female entrepreneurs in the sample were older and felt inhibited and more constrained than their male counterparts in their freedom to act. Findings – Both males and females of second generation entered business through attraction for the opportunities rather than as their only option in an unknown environment. Notwithstanding expectations, later generations did not enter activities adding much greater value than those of the first generation, even though they were better integrated with their environment. Boundary stresses between first and second generation are likely to lead to further studies of succession planning and of the influence of culture and gender on attitudes to enterprise. Originality/value – Methodologically the study is novel in so far as the researcher (an Asian female from a typical family business background) has taken care to observe the cultural proprieties often noted within this particular group. Hence, the data are arguably more authentic than previous studies undertaken by distant researchers.
- . (2006) 'Is there really value in Entrepreneurship Education?'. The ICFAI Journal of Entrepreneurship Development, 3 (3)
- .
(2005) 'Insatiable demand or academic supply: the intellectual context of entrepreneurship education'. Emerald European Business Review, 17 (6), pp. 518-532.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/146743/
Abstract
Purpose – To consider whether the growth in management and entrepreneurship education is driven by (external) demand or (internal) academic supply. Design/methodology/approach – Three key elements of the intellectual context of management and entrepreneurship education are considered: the apparent causal relationship between improved management and economic performance; the privilege afforded to management as an agent of change in the context of globalisation; reforms in the public sector which define problems in terms of management rather than resources. Findings – There is a lack of clarity as to whether the purpose of entrepreneurship education is about promoting higher levels of activity or better recognising entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value – The paper offers an alternative perspective on entrepreneurship education through an examination of its purpose rather than its form and content.
- .
(2005) 'Sustainability and ethnic minority businesses: an examination of the Asian business sector in the UK'. www.asiaentrepreneurshipjournal.com Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, 1 (2)Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178674/
Abstract
The continued success of Asian entrepreneurs in the UK testifies to the sustainability of the Asian business community which appears to combine the dynamism of the free market with the dynamic, risk taking heroism of the entrepreneur. Asian wealth in the UK has become more diverse in terms of the type of entrepreneur and the types of business. It now crosses from first through to second and third generations. It spans manufacturing and services, entertainment and fashion, hotels and property, food and pharmaceuticals. Asian enterprises have attracted the attention of academics, policy makers and practitioners and are increasingly enjoying a higher profile in the popular press. Whilst recent studies highlight this growing importance, when charting the success of the Asian entrepreneur they tend to focus on the transformation from ‘rags to riches’ and the majority of studies concentrate on the characteristics of the owner, start up and the barriers to accessing finance. This study analyses the longer established, more successful enterprises of the Asian business community and seeks to draw out trends within this increasingly important sector of the economy and consider their economic sustainability. The study draws on data provided by the annual Asian wealth index which focuses on the 200 richest Asians in the UK. It analyses the wealth-generating capacity of this upper spectrum of the Asian business community through a comparative economic and sectoral analysis. The analysis suggests that the Asian business community has delivered significantly higher than average growth and that this growth has been driven by a shift towards higher value industrial sectors, questioning the extent to which the traditional stereotypes of the Asian entrepreneur, portrayed in the academic literature, maintain their value. For policy makers and the business support community the paper offers new insights into the economic nature of this growing business sector. The originality of the research process and data raises new issues in research into Asian entrepreneurship not just the UK. It thus offers significant challenges to the academic community.
- .
(2004) 'Missing the point? Management education and entrepreneurship'. Emerald Management Decision, 42 (3/4), pp. 512-521.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/178673/
Abstract
The growth in management education generally, and entrepreneurship education specifically, has occurred at the same time as increasing importance is attached to management both as an activity for academic investigation and as a practical activity in both public and private sectors. This paper argues that the intellectual foundations of this growth are unsupported by a significant volume of evidence and so it is unlikely that the hope for economic outcomes will be achieved. In the specific case of entrepreneurship education, this paper recommends that the tension between prescription and recognition of the activity needs to be resolved by both academics and policy makers before the benefits of education in this area can be realised.
- . (2004) 'Which way now? Second and third generation Asian business entrepreneurs'. Forum Empresarial, Administration de Empresas, Puerto Rico, 9 (2)
- . (2003) 'Does ethnic focus change how banks should implement customer relationship management?'. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 8 (1), pp. 49-62.
- . (2002) 'Success factors for ethnic banking'. Bank Marketing International, 148 (0)
Conference papers
- . (2007) 'Exploring opportunity recognition by habitual entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry'. Leeds, UK: EuroCHRIE
- . (2005) 'Perceptions of business and support delivery to the UK minority ethnic business community'. Belfast, UK: 48th ISCB World Conference: Advancing Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- . (2004) 'Asian female entrepreneurs'. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK: UniS Direct Entrepreneurship Evening
- . (2004) 'The changing face of Asian wealth'. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK: 6th International Conference on the Dynamics of Strategy
- . (2004) 'The changing face of Asian wealth'. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK: 6th International Conference on the Dynamics of Strategy
- . (2003) 'Female ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the UK'. Tel Aviv, Israel: 14th International Conference on SMEs
- . (2003) 'Female ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the UK'. Tel Aviv, Israel: 14th International Conference on SMEs
- . (2003) 'Revolutionary best practice? Applying models of organisational transformation to small and medium sizes enterprises'. Milan, Italy: 33rd EISB Conference: Entrepreneurial and Professional Management in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: Combining Creativity and Technical Skills
- . (2003) 'Female entrepreneurship'. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK: UniS Direct: Breaking Barriers
- . (2003) 'Promotion or appreciation? Entrepreneurship and management education'. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK: 26th ISBA National Small Firms Research and Policy Conference
- . (2003) 'Female entrepreneurs'. Cardiff, UK: 6th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference
- . (2002) 'Small brewers - big problems'. Brighton, UK: 25th ISBA Conference
- . (2001) 'Asian women in business'. University of Paisley, UK: 4th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference
- . (2001) 'Silent contributors'. University of Durham, UK: International Conference: Shifting Gears in Women's Enterprise
- . (2001) 'Which way now? Second/third generation Asian business entrepreneurs'. Belfast, UK: 24th ISBA National Small Firms Policy and Research Conference
Books
- . (2008) Making a Fortune - Learning from the Asian Phenomenon. John Wiley & Sons
Book chapters
- . (2007) 'Accurate Portrayal or Lazy Stereotype? The changing nature of the Asian Business Sector in the UK'. in Schmude J, Dowling M (eds.) Empirical entrepreneurship in Europe: New Perspectives Edward Elgar Pub
- .
(2007) 'Accurate Portrayal or Lazy Stereotype? The changing nature of the Asian Business Sector in the UK'. in Dowling M, Schmude J (eds.) Empirical Entrepreneurship in Europe: New Perspectives
Edward Elgar , pp. 31-44.Full text is available at: http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/146716/
Abstract
Asian enterprises are becoming an ever more prominent feature of the small business population and, thus, have attracted the attention of academics, policy makers and practitioners and are increasingly eulogised in the popular press keen to laud free enterprise heroes. Whilst recent studies highlight this growing importance, when charting the success of the Asian entrepreneur they tend to focus on the transformation from rags to riches and the majority of studies concentrate on the characteristics of the owner, start up and the barriers to accessing finance. This study analyses the higher echelons of the Asian business community and seeks to draw out trends within this increasingly important sector of the economy. This study draws on data provided by the annual Asian wealth index which focuses on the 200 richest Asians in the UK. The paper analyses the wealth generating capacity of the top end of the Asian business community through a comparative economic and sectoral analysis. The analysis suggests that the Asian business community has delivered significantly higher than average growth and that this growth has been driven by a shift towards higher value industrial sectors. This questions the extent to which the traditional stereotypes of the Asian entrepreneur maintain their currency and value. For policy makers and the business support community this paper offers new insights into the economic nature of this growing business sector to which they have paid increasing attention. The originality of the research process and data raises new issues in research into Asian entrepreneurship and thus offers significant challenges to academics.
- . (1999) 'Case Studies'. in Deakins D (ed.) Entrepreneurship and small firms
Other publications
- . (2006) Training Women to Win: Women and Enterprise Development.
Teaching
MBA Entrepreneurship
MSc Entrepreneurial Business Planning
Entrepreneurship and Business Planning
Departmental Duties
Postgraduate Examinations Officer
Programme Leader MSc Entrepreneurship
Affiliations
Vice President Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Compiled Britain's Richest Asians (2002 -2008)
Consultancy Barclays Bank (January 2007): Cultural Awareness Training The training was aimed at business relationship managers in order for them to tap into the Asian networks and increase their business productivity in this highly active sector.
Barclays Bank Report (2006) – ‘Asian Entrepreneurs in the UK’
Pirtek (June 2007) – Cultural Awareness Training seminar aimed at managers who are going to India to deal with suppliers.
Nat West Bank (2002) ‘Perceptions of Business Service Delivery to the Asian Community’ Researching and delivering report on ethnic minority customers and how to tap into the market.
Regular contributor to television, radio and the press, both regional and national.
Professional Bodies: Spinder is a board member of the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Advisory Activities: Spinder is also a freelance journalist contributing to the Asian press and compiles Britain's Richest Asians for Eastern Eye.
She was also the founder and Director of the Centre for Asian Entrepreneurial Research (CAER), which was inaugurated by Lord Swraj Paul. Her Board of Advisors include eminent members of the Entrepreneurial community such as Sir G.K. Noon - Noon Products plc; Karan Bilimoria - Cobra Lager and Bushra Ahmed - The Legendary Joe Bloggs. Her work has been profiled in the national papers. She has been featured in the Daily Mail, the Independent, the Daily Mirror, the BBC and the Asian Media.
Avoiding the insularity of many in her profession, Spinder’s work targets, and hits, a much wider audience than just students and other academics. She has been a regular contributor to the Asian media and, in the past few years, has become an increasingly influential figure in more mainstream circles. Spinder, and her work, have been profiled in The Independent, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail and she recently appeared on the BBC’s flagship breakfast news programme. She was also featured as a commentator and expert on BBC2’s peak time programme, “Making a Fortune – the Asian Way”. She is ideally suited to the demands of being editor of the Britain’s Richest Asians. She was also the Education Editor for Prospects magazine and on the editorial panel of PROWESS (promoting women’s enterprise) and a Board Member of the Institute of Small Business and Enterprise