Archives of Business Research – Vol.7, No.6 Publication Date: June. 25, 2019 DOI: 10.14738/abr.76.6613. Sithas, M. T. M., & Dissanayake, D. M. R. (2019). Social Network and Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship: A Theoretical Review and Practices. Archives of Business Research, 7(6), 1-8. Social Network and Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship: A Theoretical Review and Practices M. T. M. Sithas Doctoral Student, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka D. M. R. Dissanayake Senior Lecturer, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka ABSTRACT Social networks provide great access for external resources which are required to create and develop entrepreneurial businesses. Ethnic minority entrepreneurs seem facing some challenges to create and develop the businesses due to various constraints, but social networks provide the opportunity for them to successfully face those obstacles. As per some studies, social networks provide positive influences on ethnic minority business creation and development. Supportively, studies highlight theoretical and empirical evidences in examining impact of social network in relation to ethnic minority entrepreneurship business creation and their subsequent performance. Alongside, this paper focuses to review the influence of social networks on ethnic minority entrepreneurship business creation and their performance in relation to empirical explanation and country specific scenarios. Authors followed a comprehensive literature review as the main research tool whilst special attention was made to denote cases found in different countries. Accordingly, paper concludes future research directions in line with the empirical justification. Keywords: Community Networks, Entrepreneurship, Ethnic Minority, Social Networks INTRODUCTION Networks refer to the relationship or ties between the organization or the individual and the myriad links with firms and other individuals in the broader environment (Bagwell, 2007) and networks are also seen as a “resource” through which small business owner managers gain access to important social and cultural resources, information and capital (Aldrich & Zimmer, 1986; Birley, 1985; Curran & Blackburn, 1991). According to Ostgaard & Birley (1996), company performance is related with personal contacts as an important matter. Networks may also be formal, defined as formed groups of companies with intention, generally operating in close proximity to each other, or composed of an informal collection of firm and individuals who have an interest in or links with the organization and/or its owner. Further, social networks are defined as a structure whose nodes represent members or other entities placed in a social context, and whose boundary represent interaction, collaboration, or influence between people (Wolfer et al, 2015). Moreover, social and business networks are commonly thought to be advantage for the economy, and policy has frequently sought to “implant a culture of competitiveness through co-operation” (Huggins, 1998). Ostgaard & Birley (1996) state social or personal networks depend on personal contacts, family, and friends of the entrepreneur. As per Johannisson (2000) and Rath (2002), personal networks are not only essential for providing information and access to important physical and financial resources, but also for accessing human and social capital. According to Light & Gold (2000), social capital is defined as “relationships of trust embedded in social networks. Social capital refers to the tangible and virtual resources which results to actors through social structure facilitating their achievement of goals (Portes, 1999). Further, it