Transnational entrepreneurship: Experiences of migrant-returnees to Serbia

Abstract

There is a lack of studies on transnational entrepreneurship in Serbia, while transnational cross-border economic activities of Serbian migrants have so far been perceived mostly from the perspective of foreign remittances. The aim of this paper is to highlight the need to study transnational forms of economic activity in Serbia; identify transnational entrepreneurship among migrants-returnees in Serbia, as well as among those who maintain contacts and have business activities with Serbia; explore motives of respondents related to establishing businesses in Serbia, and simultaneously having business activities abroad. The first part of the paper provides an overview of relevant theoretical standings in the area of transnational entrepreneurship, emphasising the need to combine economic and sociological approaches. The second part analyses the results of a pilot study conducted through interviews on the characteristics of transnational entrepreneurship of migrants-returnees in Serbia. The study results show how respondents use the opportunities and overcome obstacles related to conditions for business activities in Serbia, as they represent an important resource in the development of the Serbian economy.