Diaspora Entrepreneurs Research Articles

A literature review on transnational diaspora entrepreneurship: utilizing a combined approach of traditional and topic modeling

PurposeThousands of people emigrate from their homeland and start new businesses in other countries. Researchers are increasingly interested in this phenomenon, commonly known as transnational diaspora entrepreneurship. Our paper aims to review this topic by identifying the gaps in existing research and emphasizing the need for further investigation into this growing phenomenon.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies both a traditional approach and a more innovative approach using topic modeling in conducting the literature review. While the manual literature review inductively identifies important themes, through topic modeling, the prevailing topics in the research are uncovered.FindingsThe analysis reveals several main findings. Firstly, diaspora entrepreneurs are categorized based on identifiable differences in their entrepreneurial activities. Secondly, most literature in the area is based on case studies, and there is a need for more quantitative research into this area. Thirdly, although there is no widely agreed-upon definition of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship, some distinct characteristics set it apart from other entrepreneurial activities. Lastly, a few different approaches to transnational diaspora entrepreneurship have been identified and summarized based on the experiences, identities and locations of diaspora entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the existing literature by employing natural language processing to analyze a corpus of paper abstracts, offering a comprehensive overview of the prevailing themes in the research on diaspora entrepreneurial activity. It also highlights the need for more quantitative research to understand the broader patterns and impacts of this phenomenon. This paper sheds light on the complexities and potential rewards of diaspora entrepreneurial activity, paving the way for further research and understanding in this field.

Bridging Distances: The Impact of ICT on Diaspora Connectivity and Cultural Exchange

This paper examines the transformative role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in enhancing diaspora connectivity, cultural preservation, and economic contributions to homelands. Through quantitative and qualitative analyses, it delves into various ICT toolsincluding social media platforms, mobile applications, online forums, and virtual cultural festivalsand their pivotal role in sustaining and strengthening the ties of diaspora communities with their countries of origin. It also explores the revolutionized remittance landscape, crowdfunding for development projects, and the facilitation of diaspora entrepreneurship and investment through digital platforms. Employing models like the Network Analysis Model, Remittance Flow Model, and Event Participation Model, the study provides insights into the increased frequency and depth of communication, significant reductions in remittance transaction costs and times, and the enhanced engagement in cultural and economic activities. The findings highlight ICT's capacity not only to maintain but also to enrich the cultural, social, and economic fabric of diaspora communities, underscoring its vital role in promoting global connectivity, cultural exchange, and economic development.

The Role of Diaspora Entrepreneurship in Economic Development: a Case Study of Nigeria

Diaspora entrepreneurship has emerged as a significant driver of economic development, particularly in countries with large diaspora populations. This research paper delves into the dynamic relationship between diaspora entrepreneurship and economic development in the context of Nigeria. Through an exploration of motivations, challenges, and contributions, the paper assesses the substantial impact of Nigerian diaspora entrepreneurs on economic growth. The study highlights the roles they play in job creation, foreign investment, knowledge transfer, and innovation. The findings underscore the importance of leveraging diaspora entrepreneurship for sustainable economic development, offering insights for policymakers and stakeholders.

Enhancing student competencies through entrepreneurship and cultural collaboration: A community engagement approach

Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in the global economy, Driving job creation, fostering innovation, and contributing to economic growth. However, Indonesia faces challenges in increasing the number of entrepreneurs and enhancing economic productivity. This article presents a case study on the Faculty of Economics and Business at Syiah Kuala University's community engagement activities aimed at developing students' entrepreneurial and cross-cultural competencies. The activities encompass experiential learning, mentorship, networking, and cultural collaboration, aligning with achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through experiential learning, students gain practical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and a global mindset, equipping them for entrepreneurship and business. Collaborative initiatives with international partners, such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and interactions with Indonesian diaspora entrepreneurs in Singapore enhance students' cross-cultural competence. They learn to respect diversity, adapt to different cultural norms, and collaborate effectively across cultures. The activities also facilitate networking and collaboration, enabling students to establish connections with diaspora entrepreneurs and international peers. These connections can lead to future partnerships and collaborative efforts. The community engagement activities empower students with the skills, knowledge, and global perspective necessary to excel as entrepreneurs and positively impact the achievement of SDGs. The emphasis on economically viable, culturally sensitive, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible entrepreneurship aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development, contributing to the development of sustainable entrepreneurship in higher education.

Une revue systématique de la littérature sur les déterminants de l’entrepreneuriat de la diaspora: état de connaissance et avenues de recherche

A growing body of research has focused on diaspora entrepreneurship in the country of origin due to the various positive impacts it has on the country. This article aims to propose an integrative framework that distinguishes between facilitating and inhibiting factors of diaspora entrepreneurship according to 3 levels of analysis following an ecosystemic approach: individual, managerial and environmental. To select the articles, this study adopted a systematic approach that resulted in the selection of 66 articles. The results of this review show that current research focuses on facilitating factors and is mostly focused on the Asian diaspora. Moreover, work on the diaspora offers little insight into the role of managerial determinants (e.g. management of cultural relations, legitimacy). We also note that only 21 theories are mobilized to understand the phenomenon. These elements have enabled us to define seven research avenues. This review informs the diaspora about the determinants that they should consider in order to succeed in their entrepreneurial activity in their country of origin.

A historical analysis of resilience of Chinese diaspora entrepreneurs in South-East Asia during the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC)

A historical analysis of resilience of Chinese diaspora entrepreneurs in South-East Asia during the Asian Financial Crisis (AFC)

Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Perspective on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Policy in Taiwan

Diaspora Entrepreneurs’ Perspective on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Policy in Taiwan

Mixed Methods in an Evolving Research Program on Diaspora Entrepreneurs and Their Mobilizations

Scholarship at the intersection of migration studies and international relations has been increasingly interested in diasporas in world politics, yet analysis integrating relevant literature in systematic ways through rigorous empirical methods has been largely missing. How can mixed-methods techniques contribute to the evolution of a relatively new research program, such as the study of diaspora mobilizations in conflict processes? How can these techniques identify data patterns that could help establish meaningful analytical categories and factor in multi-sited complexity? Based on a large-scale European Research Council migration project "Diasporas and Contested Sovereignty," this Research Note offers a pathway for future scholarship on how to systematically do so. It presents a rich theoretically informed coding procedure that systematizes the analysis of four researchers working across conflict-generated diasporas in multiple host-countries and linked to conflicts in multiple countries of origin. Correspondence and cluster analyses are used to isolate profiles of diaspora entrepreneurs. Procedures used early in the project's life-cycle helped later to design a unique survey and inform a deeper comparative causal analysis, thus creating a coherent conversation among different research products.

Identity-work among Black African male immigrant entrepreneurs residing in Northern English regional contexts: A qualitative examination

This article examines the identity-work practiced by Black African male immigrant entrepreneurs residing in the UK who are tasked with forming credible identities. The men’s intersecting identities as ‘Black’, ‘African’, ‘immigrants’ create disadvantages for them in their roles as entrepreneurs in diaspora existing in regional English contexts where Whiteness is associated with entrepreneurial credibility, and Black African immigrant masculinity is problematised and discriminated against. Drawing on rich qualitative data, we show the men participating in covering and accentuating identity-work to align their self-presentations and the operational identities of their businesses with symbolic Whiteness, thereby heightening the chances of their businesses surviving by engaging with White customers and gaining a level of integration within local White entrepreneurial networks. We position the men’s identity-work as a compensatory response to the structural-level disadvantages they encounter. We contextualise the men’s identity-work in relation to Critical Race Theory and from a policy implication perspective.

A contextual understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship: identity, opportunity and resources in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diasporas

PurposeWithin the growing study of transnational entrepreneurial practice, existing conceptualisation of diaspora entrepreneurship has often lacked engagement with the particularities of the diaspora condition. This paper seeks to advance theoretical understanding and empirical study of diaspora entrepreneurship through identifying the processes that generate diaspora entrepreneurship across economic, social and political spheres.Design/methodology/approachTo analyse the relationship between the development of venture activity and diaspora (re)production, in depth, qualitative biographical analysis was undertaken with UK-based diaspora entrepreneurs embedded within the particular contexts of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Kurdish diasporas. Skilled and active diaspora entrepreneurs were purposively selected from these extreme case contexts to explore their entrepreneurial agency within and across the business, social and political realms.FindingsResults identified key dimensions shaping the development of diaspora entrepreneurship. These comprised the role of diaspora context in shaping opportunity frameworks and the mobilisation of available resources, and how venture activity served to sustain collective diaspora identity and address diaspora interests. These findings are used to produce an analytical model of the generation of diaspora entrepreneurship to serve as a basis for discussing how heterogeneous and hybrid entrepreneurial strategies emerge from and shape the evolving diaspora context.Originality/valueBy placing the reproduction of social collectivity centre-stage, this paper identifies the particularities of diaspora entrepreneurship as a form of transnational entrepreneurship. This recognizes the significance of a contextualised understanding of entrepreneurial diversity within wider processes of diaspora development, which has important implications for policy and practice development in homeland and settlement areas.

Israel, the Jewish diaspora, and the Palestinian refugee issue: a mixed relationship

ABSTRACT This paper explores how powerful diaspora individuals become involved in homeland affairs and the resulting struggles over agency and influence between diaspora and homeland actors. To this end, we analyze plans advanced by Jewish diaspora individuals to resolve the Palestinian Refugee Problem in the wake of the 1967 War and Israel’s reactions to these plans. On the one hand, Israeli officials were interested in the diaspora entrepreneurs’ resources, were careful not to antagonize them, and were willing to hear their suggestions. On the other hand, they generally opposed the diaspora’s involvement in a sensitive political issue such as the Refugee Problem. Israel’s reluctance led to a complex dynamic, in which Israel and the diaspora entrepreneurs negotiated the extent and nature of diasporic action.

A Qualitative Study of Bangladeshi Diaspora in Malaysia: The Role of Social Networking

The theoretical exploration of diaspora entrepreneurship is still in its infancy stage, and hence the underlying mechanisms underpinning strategic behaviours such as resource attrition and networking in this context remain limited. We thus explore the social networking behaviours of diaspora entrepreneurs, and the effect of these networks on entrepreneurial determinants. In doing so, we investigate Bangladeshi diaspora communities and their social interactions and network ecosystem in the Malaysian context. Noting the nuanced and contextual underpinnings of such a study, we examine diaspora entrepreneurship qualitatively, by employing a series of interviews with Bangladeshi diaspora entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Our study demonstrates that the Bangladeshi diaspora entrepreneurs in Malaysia benefit from two types social networking: (i) ethnic-tie, and (ii) non-co-ethnic tie. Our findings additionally establish that these social ties are built on specific network motivators: (i) friendship and personal/familial tie, and (ii) economic interest and mutual benefits. Our study highlights a number of conditions which can help to support entrepreneurship in the diaspora community.

The role of the diaspora in international sport entrepreneurship

AbstractSport is one of the most international industries in the world and relies on entrepreneurship to ensure its competitiveness. Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the sport industry had to rapidly change and adjust to international border closures and reduced physical contact activity. Many people involved in the sport industry are located outside of their home country and form part of the diaspora network of sport professionals. The diaspora is highly active in the sport industry in terms of disseminating ideas and utilizing their social networks for international entrepreneurial purposes. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of the diaspora on international sport entrepreneurship thereby contributing a novel approach to the international entrepreneurship, sport entrepreneurship and diaspora entrepreneurship fields in a way that has not been contemplated before. A qualitative research methodology is employed to interview sport entrepreneurs about their diaspora and international entrepreneurship activities. This enables a holistic understanding about the role of international public/private partnerships for the success of innovative and futuristic entrepreneurial sport activity. A theoretical framework based on the interview data was developed that incorporated a three‐level process of international drivers, diaspora types and sport entrepreneurship outcomes. A number of research propositions were then derived from the data that highlight how the sport industry is highly international and relies on internationalization to foster new business activity. Policy and managerial implications about the role of diaspora for international sport entrepreneurship are highlighted together with future research suggestions.

Determinants of the firm performance of returnee entrepreneurs in Somalia: the effects of external environmental conditions

Purpose This study aims to examine the role of returning Somali diaspora entrepreneurs on firm performance and their perceived environmental obstacles. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws on a broad literature review and covers a theoretical background to develop a research framework. It presents several propositions to be empirically tested to determine the influence of returnee entrepreneurs’ success and the challenges they face in the process. Findings The paper offers an overview of how Somali diaspora returnee entrepreneurs can use their resources to succeed in their business and the possible environmental uncertainties that could hinder them. The study highlights some under-researched areas and provides future research directions. Research limitations/implications A research investigation is needed to test the proposed conceptual framework empirically. Further research is also recommended to use other predictors when investigating the perceived environmental uncertainty faced by returnee entrepreneurs. Practical implications In the diaspora entrepreneurship literature, returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict African countries did not get enough attention. Hence, the study will contribute theoretically to the literature. Originality/value The paper provides a conceptual framework that will help understand returnee entrepreneurs in post-conflict states in Africa, paving the way for empirical studies on the topic.

Family across borders social capital and diaspora entrepreneurial preparedness

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the way in which family ties influence the entrepreneurial preparedness of the diaspora family business owner.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth interviews were carried out with 15 Cypriot family business owners hosted in various countries. The paper draws on social capital theory and uses an abductive analytical approach.FindingsThe findings of this paper illustrate that family ties coming from the family across borders play a significant role for diaspora family business owners’ entrepreneurial preparedness. Hidden values deriving from the interpersonal relationships within the family across borders drive the diaspora family business owners to learn upon self-reflection and become entrepreneurially prepared, led by both urgency and esteem.Practical implicationsThis study provides practical implications for the entrepreneurial preparedness of diaspora family business owners and those who wish to become family business owners in a diaspora context.Originality/valueThis study contributes theoretically through the conceptualization of “family across borders social capital” and “diaspora entrepreneurial preparedness”. It also contributes empirically to the fields of diaspora family business, entrepreneurial learning and diaspora entrepreneurship through new knowledge regarding the role of family across borders social capital in the entrepreneurial preparedness of the diaspora family business owner.

Institutional reforms, control of corruption, and diaspora entrepreneurship: insights and perspectives on America's poorest economy

PurposeWhile diaspora entrepreneurs remain important sources of capital and innovation, many developing countries are facing serious challenges to tap into these sources because of their weak institutional settings and the endemic and systemic corruption. To this end, this study explores how institutional reforms and control of corruption can influence diaspora entrepreneurship. This study also seeks to provide perspectives on how diaspora entrepreneurs can influence institutional reforms and market policies.Design/methodology/approachTo meet these objectives, qualitative and interpretive research approaches were employed.FindingsUsing responses collected from Haitian diaspora entrepreneurs living in the USA, this paper highlights different attributes of institutional reforms and control of corruption that can influence diaspora entrepreneurship.Practical implicationsBased on these insights, this paper argues that Haitian diaspora entrepreneurs need to play a proactive role as policy entrepreneurs by supporting competent and well-intention political leaders to gain office and by joining forces with local actors to advocate for institutional reforms, market reforms and control of corruption in order to be able to exploit market opportunities. In this respect, further perspectives for diaspora entrepreneurship, limitations and consideration for future research are highlighted.Originality/valueBy collecting insights on institutional reform and diaspora entrepreneurship from diaspora entrepreneurs, this paper makes important contribution to the entrepreneurship literature.

Diaspora FDI: Why do Returning Migrants Invest in Their Home Countries and What are the Main Difficulties They Face? The Case of Romania

Migrants play a significant role in increasing economic links between their home and adoptive countries. They contribute to increasing trade and increasing capital flows between the respective countries in the form of remittances and direct investment. In the context of Romania, only a trickle of this capital flow is in the form of direct investment, although diaspora direct investment (DDI) may represent a more desirable form for the state than remittances. The purpose of this study is two-fold. On one hand, it aims at investigating why Romanians from the diaspora invest in their homeland and, on the other hand, it seeks to understand why the number of diaspora investors is still so low. The study is based on the qualitative content analysis of newspaper articles featuring interviews with diaspora entrepreneurs. We found that decisions to return and invest in Romania were motivated by both push (homesickness, lack of economic opportunities in the adoptive countries, the need for a new challenge and patriotism) and pull factors (business opportunities and beautiful, attractive places in Romania). The main constraining factors were found to be excessive bureaucracy, people’s mentality, shortage of labor and other adverse economic conditions. While the findings of this study confirm some of the results posted by previous studies, they also propose some motivations for DDI that were not captured by other works on the subject.

The diaspora phenomenon: scholarly assessment and implications for countries and firms

PurposeThe aim of this study is to identify the distinctive features of the diaspora phenomenon through the aggregation and systematization of the business and management literature and propose a framework to apply in the future studies.Design/methodology/approachThe two-step research was based on a combination of bibliometric analysis and a manual in-depth study of academic articles. Overall, 421 academic papers in management and business journals until 2019 year were analyzed.FindingsThe authors provide a new holistic insight on the role of national diasporas for business outcomes via the analysis and systematization of the extant diaspora research. They revealed four definition approaches and five main clusters in the diaspora literature that have three main directions of research as international marketing with the tourism management focus, the IB research and diaspora entrepreneurship studies. The authors cover these main research streams and their contribution to the development of a topic.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework including definition approaches and suggestions on the further research can serve as a foundation for future studies to investigate the diaspora phenomenon. The findings also are of practical value for firms whose attention is paid to the effective management.Originality/valueTo bring more clarity to the existing and future development of diaspora research, this paper improves the structuring of the overall diaspora literature through clarification of the existing definitions of diaspora, provision of the criteria qualifying someone to be identified as a member of a diaspora, as well as an analysis and systematization of existing diaspora research streams and suggestions for future research directions.

Diaspora entrepreneurs’ push and pull institutional factors for investing in Africa: Insights from African returnees from the United Kingdom

Applying the institution-based views, this article conceptualises how diaspora entrepreneurs take stimuli from the push and pull institutional factors to develop business enterprises in their countries of origin. Using cases of African diaspora entrepreneurs in the UK and the grounded theory methodological approach, our conceptualised model demonstrates that the diasporas use the new knowledge, skills and wealth they have gained in the UK in tandem with support from trusted family, kinship and business ties at home to develop enterprises. It further demonstrates that diaspora entrepreneurs foster resilience to withstand weak formal institutions in their countries of origin and the discriminatory obstacles in the UK. We also found that institutional barriers which served as push factors that encouraged or forced migrants to leave their home countries to seek greener pastures abroad may later become pull factors that enable them to engage in diaspora entrepreneurship which is often characterised by paradoxes. Particularly, the informal institutions that constrain foreign investors can become assets for African diaspora entrepreneurs and help them set up new businesses and exploit market opportunities in Africa. The implications of the study for diaspora entrepreneurship literature are outlined.

Returning to drive small business exports: diaspora entrepreneurs in Ghana's fruit processing clusters

Returnee entrepreneur (RE) businesses have extensively contributed to economies around the world. However, REs ability to galvanise and coordinate local business networks and permeate the international markets within countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have mostly been overlooked, particularly in the context of exporting activities in Africa. This paper posits that diaspora 'returnee entrepreneurs' can become potent channels for the promotion and facilitation of the internationalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. An original piece of empirical research on two exporting food processing clusters in Ghana shows that REs can introduce external technology, develop and sustain international customer networks and are able to meet international standards, thus becoming carriers for internationalisation from the onset. African returnees are able to build trust-based relationships within home country formal business structures and establish strong ties with international customers that accommodate operational and institutional bottlenecks.