Transnationalism and Belonging: The Case of Moroccan Entrepreneurs in Amsterdam and Milan

Giacomo Solano,Matteo Gagliolo,Raffaele Vacca,Dirk Jacobs

doi:10.17645/si.v8i1.2456

Abstract

Research on migrant transnationalism has mostly focused on particular transnational activities, their salience in various contexts and populations, and their relationship with migrant incorporation. Less attention has been paid to the interplay between the different domains of transnationalism (economic, political, and socio-relational) and to the way in which they affect migrants’ identity. This study investigates whether and how one domain of migrant transnationalism—transnational entrepreneurship—influences migrants’ (1) transnational involvement in other domains and (2) sense of belonging to different social groups and places. Focusing on the case of Moroccan entrepreneurs in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Milan, Italy, we compare transnational migrant entrepreneurs, whose business is based on cross-border relationships and exchanges, with domestic migrant entrepreneurs, who are active exclusively in the destination country. Combining quantitative and qualitative data, we find that transnational entrepreneurs differ from domestic entrepreneurs mostly in terms of socio-relational transnational involvement. On the other hand, transnational entrepreneurship does not substantially change transnational practices in other domains or sense of belonging among Moroccan migrants.

Highlights

This article examines transnationalism and sense of belonging among Moroccan migrant entrepreneurs in two increasingly central immigrant destinations in Europe, namely Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, and Milan, in Italy
We found that transnational entrepreneurship has a significant influence on migrants’ transnational practices and sense of belonging, but one that is mostly limited to the socio-relational domain
We found no systematic differences between transnational and domestic entrepreneurs concerning political and economic transnational practices not related to the business

Summary

Introduction

This article examines transnationalism and sense of belonging among Moroccan migrant entrepreneurs in two increasingly central immigrant destinations in Europe, namely Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, and Milan, in Italy. International migrants are known to preserve and cultivate networks of relatives, friends and other acquaintances in sending countries, and to often maintain active roles in the economies, politics, and cultures of their origin societies (Levitt & Jaworsky, 2007; Vacca, Solano, Lubbers, Molina, & McCarty, 2018). These “here and there” relationships and interactions shape migrants’ identities (Boccagni, 2012), leading certain migrants to develop multiple and multisite forms of belonging that cut across national borders (Ehrkamp, 2005). Existing literature identifies three main domains of transnational involvement (Guarnizo, Portes, & Haller, 2003; Portes et al, 2002; Snel, Engbersen, & Leerkes, 2006):

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