Diasporic and Transnational Internationalization: The Case of Brazilian Martial Arts

Angela Da Rocha,Jorge Ferreira Da Silva,Renato Cotta De Mello,Felipe Esteves

doi:10.1590/1807-7692bar2015150042

Abstract

Brazilian diasporas overseas has received little academic interest. Nevertheless, estimates suggest that around three million Brazilians currently live in other countries. The present study looks at a specific type of diaspora: small entrepreneurs from the Brazilian martial arts sector. The study adopts the case study method of research. The unit of analysis is comprised by the martial arts (capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu). Data analysis used secondary and primary data from interviews. Cross-case analysis searched for similarities and differences in the internationalization processes of the two martial arts, using several analytical devices, such as chronologies, timelines, matrices, and pattern matching analysis. Evidences suggest that the concept of diasporic internationalization fits better capoeira than Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, Brazilian jiu-jitsu shows an initial combination of diasporic and transnational characteristics, but more recently became fully transnational. Brazilian jiu-jitsu became a truly global business, formally organized and professionally managed. Capoeira, however, is still seen as non-commercial and as the preservation and practice of an ancient art. Such ethos, combined with the origin of its members in lower economic classes and their restricted access to capital turns internationalization into an often less profitable activity.

Highlights

Scholars have looked at the role of diasporas from an ample set of perspectives: political, economic, social, historical, technological, and artistic, among many others
In the international entrepreneurship (IE) literature, few works, to our knowledge, have looked at the role of diasporas in internationalization, a situation reported by Nkongolo-Bakenda and Chrysostome (2013), who claim that diaspora research in the field of IE is still in its infancy
The evidence collected in this study suggests that the concept of diasporic internationalization (Pries, 2004) fits better capoeira than Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Summary

Introduction

Scholars have looked at the role of diasporas from an ample set of perspectives: political, economic, social, historical, technological, and artistic, among many others. Most studies look at diasporas as an opportunity (e.g. supporting the diffusion of innovation, promoting FDI, or contributing to economic development), while others see them as a threat (e.g. internationalizing conflicts, separatism, or supporting terrorism). Most of the literature on the role of diasporas comes from Sociology, Economics, Political Science, and International Relations. The International Business literature, in general, has given some attention to the role of diasporas, the topic remains marginal. In the international entrepreneurship (IE) literature, few works, to our knowledge, have looked at the role of diasporas in internationalization, a situation reported by Nkongolo-Bakenda and Chrysostome (2013), who claim that diaspora research in the field of IE is still in its infancy. A number of studies from other disciplines looked at the phenomenon of diasporic entrepreneurship (e.g. Rosenfeld, 2012; Saxenian, 2002; Wong & Ng, 2002)

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Conclusion