Transnational Entrepreneurship Research Articles

From mixed embeddedness to transnational mixed embeddedness

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance of the mixed embeddedness thesis (Kloosterman, 2010; Rath and Kloosterman, 2002) to businesses with a more transnational mode of operation.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with the owner managers of a sample 24 Vietnamese businesses in London were undertaken to develop an understanding of how micro (individual resources: social, financial and cultural/human capital, and history of migration), meso (local, regional and national markets) and macro (politico-institutional) factors in the UK and overseas influenced business development.FindingsThe findings illustrate how business development is influenced not just by the interaction of the local (UK) opportunity structure and the entrepreneur’s resources, as suggested by the mixed embeddedness thesis, but also by institutional regimes, economies and markets in key countries of the diaspora, and the interaction of these. The extent to which new transnational opportunities can be exploited, however, depends on access to the necessary local and transnational forms of capital.Practical implicationsThe empirical evidence presented is used to present a re-working of the mixed embeddedness thesis to provide a framework for understanding the drivers of transnational entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThe paper presents new empirical knowledge of transnational activity amongst the UK Vietnamese business community – a little known refugee community. Conceptually, the paper offers a theoretical development of the mixed embeddedness thesis to enable it to provide an explanation of transnational entrepreneurship amongst new migrant communities.

Globalization, entrepreneurship and paradox thinking

Globalization has been facing a backlash. By contrast, entrepreneurship has come to be seen as a panacea for economic development and generating jobs that are perceived to be under threat from globalization. In this Perspectives paper, our central argument is that globalization and entrepreneurship must be viewed holistically, recognizing that globalization is an enabler of important entrepreneurship outcomes. We argue that networks created as a byproduct of globalization facilitate various forms of entrepreneurship. Interpersonal networks (e.g., diasporas) facilitate transnational entrepreneurship which can, in turn, reduce institutional distance between locations. Interorganizational networks (e.g., MNE-orchestrated ecosystems) facilitate technology entrepreneurship which reinforces the institutional work that gives rise to new technological domains and fields. Intergovernmental and civil society networks facilitate social entrepreneurship which helps redress institutional voids. Thus globalization can be a force for good by enabling forms of entrepreneurship that enable important institutional change. We highlight the importance of paradox thinking, which is rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, in transcending an either/or perspective of globalization and entrepreneurship.

Transnational Entrepreneurship as a Win-Win Scenario of International Knowledge Spillover

This study aims to advance the common domain of knowledge spillovers (KS) and strategic entrepreneurship (SE) by pinpointing further links between these two fields, and by providing a series of real examples of how KS can be strategically applied for the long-term gain of all parties involved in the KS process. Unlike it is assumed as per the traditional view of the KS literature, there is a win-win scenario benefiting both the knowledge generating, sending and the knowledge reaping, receiving economies. As the main conclusion of this analysis, transnational entrepreneurship (TE) is an example of how international KS can be beneficial for both the incumbent and recipient economies. This benefit is derived from the mobile and multiple-embedded nature of transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) and realised through providing economic, cultural, social and institutional assets to both countries.

Transnational Entrepreneurship & Ghanaians Abroad: What are the Motives? A Case Study in Europe and United States of America.

Using data collected from Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom, and the USA; this research examined the motives that drive the performance of transnational entrepreneurship, the mobility involves and why such businesses normally fail. The study was conducted in 2013-2017; with a population size of 120 Ghanaians living in the UK and the USA. The objective was to find out what really drives the performance of these entrepreneurs who operate in a condition where costs may be known but rewards are uncertain, yet they are motivated. The research employed both deductive and exploratory approach and the methods were both primary and secondary. The study focused on small-scale entrepreneurs who run their businesses through personal social connections.The general results show that though individuals motives for seeking self-employment are diverse and numerous; and differ on certain points. However, there are some basic motives common to all and that is majority of the respondents with the average score of 63.3% supported that Economic Mobility, Financial Independence, Success Perspective, and Social Factors, are the most driven factors for the engagement in transnational entrepreneurship. We discovered that in a small-scale business, where most often do not have the needed managerial capabilities to engage in corporation, trust can be used to avoid loses that might come as a result of someone’s misconduct. We also discovered that the successes of these entrepreneurs are based on attitudinal; the degree of embededdness in the home country; personal and the institutional regulations of the destination countries. The results found that Ghana Transnational Entrepreneurs (GTE) are more into Merchandising Business with (59.21%) as compared to Service Business (34.21%) and Manufacturing Business (10.53%); and such businesses are managed and run mostly by their families (59.21%). Ashanti Region of Ghana was spotted to be more involved in doing business with 52.63%. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 4, Issue-3: 210-222

Social Ties and Home Country Entry by Transnational Entrepreneurs

US-based Indian migrant entrepreneurs have made a significant contribution to the creation of new businesses, especially in the high-tech sector in Silicon Valley. Many of these entrepreneurs have taken Silicon Valley entrepreneurial models back to India, while continuing to maintain connections with the US. These transnational entrepreneurs, who leverage their knowledge of two countries and cultures to found cross-border ventures, are the focus of this paper. We draw on international entrepreneurship and migrant entrepreneurship literatures to understand the role of ethnic ties in India and the US, in influencing and enabling Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley to found transnational ventures. Our findings contribute to the emerging theoretical and empirical literature on transnational entrepreneurship, as well as to the international entrepreneurship literature.

Ready to fly? A study of Cross-cultural Capabilities for Chinese Transnational Entrepreneurs

We explore the cross-cultural capabilities (CCCs) of transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) in the Sino-Australia context. CCCs are an individual’s set of skills related to psychological adaptation and ...

Off-offshoring from Russia to Ukraine: How Russian Transnational Entrepreneurs Created a Post-Soviet IT Offshore

abstractOffshore has become a staple term in the lexicon of economic globalization, and, yet, it has also become a bit of a black-box term. The range of meanings attached tends to mask the complex, dynamic, and emergent qualities that are vital for the constant reinvention of offshore spaces. This article examines the activities of Russian transnationalizing entrepreneurs of the Russian information technology (IT) offshore—a sector that is made up principally of firms based in Russia specialized in providing IT and software services for clients located in Western Europe and North America—and analyzes how their unique experiment to expand operations to Ukraine is generating a new spatial reality, one with internal hierarchies and subspaces, which I call the off-offshore.Drawing on the narratives of engineers, managers, and directors of Russian firms who drive the creation of this new off-offshoring reality, the article focuses on the process and practices developed by transnationalizing entreprenuers. I document how these actors devised the initial attempts for expanding their operations in Ukraine, how they proceeded to implement and adapt their plans, and what language—from biological metaphors to pragmatic business terminology—they use to grasp the newness of this process. The article highlights various unexpected difficulties that the firms encountered in their expansion efforts and discusses the unique new multidimensional knowledge work spacethat becomes the reality of such firms as a result of experimental rhizomatic techniques and practices that they develop—such as management circulation, multidirectional and reversed training, and the development of online forums and in the flesh groups to encourage enthusiasts based in the new locations.

The determinants of transnational entrepreneurship and transnational ties’ dynamics among immigrant entrepreneurs in ICT sector in Italy

AbstractThis article contributes to the rapidly growing literature on transnational immigrant entrepreneurship by analyzing the determinants of transnational entrepreneurial engagement among immigrants in the ICT sector in Italy. We investigate which factors influence the rise or decline of transnational entrepreneurial involvement with a home country. Our results indicate that longer residence in Italy is associated with smaller propensity to become a transnational entrepreneur. Moreover, we find that the type of transnational ties and the network size have a substantial impact on the dynamics of transnational entrepreneurial engagement.

Social Ties, Social Capital, and Recruiting Managers in Transnational Ventures

ABSTRACTSocial capital provides access to resources; however, how migrant entrepreneurs use social capital in the recruitment of managers for their transnational ventures is less understood. The authors conducted eight in-depth interviews with transnational entrepreneurs of Indian origin in the United Kingdom and nine confirmatory interviews with managers of their transnational ventures. Findings show that transnational entrepreneurs substitute or complement international and local social capital in the recruitment of managers contingent on whether they (a) live in the United Kingdom or India and (b) use social ties in the United Kingdom or India to recruit managers. Implications for research, policy and management are discussed.

Transnational Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Investment Banker Jose Goldner

Abstract. Interest in transnational entrepreneurship has expanded in recent years. However, there are limited qualitative surveys that shed light on the mindset of the contemporary transnational entrepreneur. This article contributes to academic and business literature by presenting the views of a Panama-born investment banker Jose Goldner. Jose Goldner is a partner at Briggs Capital based in Massachusetts, USA. Through an interview conducted by Dr. J. Mark Munoz of Millikin University, with the assistance of business student Haley Hogenkamp, Goldner shares his viewpoints on transnational entrepreneurship and its business implications. Keywords. Transnational entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship, International business. JEL. L26, M16.

Born global firms’ growth and collaborative entry mode: the role of transnational entrepreneurs

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of transnational entrepreneurs in growing born global firms, with a focus on the growth process facilitated by collaborative entry mode.Design/methodology/approachThe author chose the solar photovoltaic industry as the empirical setting. This industry is a particularly good context for the study because many firms in this industry sell knowledge-intensive products internationally from their inception. The primary data consist of 32 in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, industry association representatives, research institute scholars, and professional service firms.FindingsThe study highlights the importance of transnational entrepreneurs who develop born global firms to maturity by using their technological knowledge, international connections, and bicultural advantages to navigate and leverage institutional complexity. Collaborative entry mode with distributors enables born global firms’ high growth rapidly, whereas transnational entrepreneurs play a central role in building and expanding international network. Initial public offering in overseas stock exchange accelerates the high growth trajectory of born global firm by signalling its maturity.Research limitations/implicationsThe author took a process perspective by examining the growth and maturity of born global firms by collaborative partnership; the author’s focus on the role of transnational entrepreneurs highlighted entrepreneurs’ sensitivity to institutional complexity along the growth trajectory.Practical implicationsThe author recommends both incumbent and entrepreneurial firms in developed economies collaborate with transnational entrepreneurs in various business areas. Industry firms may be able to cooperate on product and marketing development, and professional service firms can offer services to expand born global firms further, because transnational entrepreneurs follow the global “rules of the game”.Originality/valueThe author shed important light on the role of transnational entrepreneurs throughout the growth of born global firms via collaborative entry mode. Furthermore, the author develops a multilevel framework for analysing the combined influence of transnational entrepreneur and institutional complexity on the growth of born global firm.

«El indígena tiene que estar siempre innovando»: transformaciones de la etnicidad de la diáspora comercial de Otavalo

The Kichwas from Otavalo (Ecuador) are one of the indigenous groups most affected by the global demand for the «culturally authentic» products. The commercial success of their handicrafts had a profound impact on reaffirmation of indigenous identity. This study analyzes the transformations of ethnicity of this population in the migratory context of Southern Spain. The results reveal the erosion of the transnational entrepreneurship which originally stimulated the migratory flows of Otavalos. The reorientation of the occupational strategy and their settlement in the receiving context influence the need to rethink the present meaning of ethnic dimension of identity.

Revisão bibliométrica no tema Empreendedorismo Imigrante e Étnico

O debate sobre a imigração de milhares de refugiados para Europa e sua assimilação pela sociedade e economia locais, apresenta-se como um tema em voga na atualidade. Adicionalmente, o empreendedorismo internacional de enclave étnico tem sido estudado como uma das formas de mobilidade social e integração destes grupos. Diversas comunidades de imigrantes de várias etnias têm sido objeto de estudo, no entanto, o brasileiro imigrante tem sido pouco estudado quanto a seu perfil, cultura e comportamento empreendedor. As pesquisas bibliométricas realizadas dentro do tema de empreendedorismo imigrante e étnico, apontam para uma mudança em seu enfoque original em ‘economias de enclave’, ‘empresas étnicas’ e ‘enraizamento social’ para investigações relacionadas aos ‘empresários imigrantes’, às ‘redes de negócios imigrantes’ e aos ‘empresários transnacionais’. Este artigo pretende, portanto, apresentar o resultado de um estudo bibliométrico contemplando os trabalhos seminais, as principais teorias internacionais a respeito de empreendedorismo imigrante e de enclaves étnicos, assim como identificar lacunas da literatura brasileira e internacional, expandindo este campo de pesquisa. Como principais resultados, os autores apresentam uma análise de conceitos, teorias e artigos mais citados neste campo de pesquisa e apontam para possíveis caminhos futuros de investigação.

Transnational Entrepreneurship and Ghanaians Abroad: What are the Motives?

Business Creation is something that does not come into being on its own; but it emerges from people who see a need for service or product in a society, with that desire to be self-employed and rise above, and use that opportunity. These individuals are dedicated people who are willing to absorb all their time, passion, and money in the work they have created to ensure business growth and success. Though these entrepreneurs operate in a condition where costs may be known but rewards are uncertain, yet they are motivated and the question here is; what really drives the performance to engage in such entrepreneurial activities? The general results show that though individuals motives for seeking self-employment are diverse and numerous; and differ on certain points. However, there are some basic motives common to all and that is majority of the respondents with the average score of 63.3% supported that Economic Mobility, Financial Independence, Success Perspective, and Social Factor, are the most driven factors for the engagement in transnational entrepreneurship. It was also discovered that the success of these entrepreneurs are based on attitudinal, the degree of embededdness in the home country, personal and the institutional regulations of the destination countries. The results found that Ghana Transnational Entrepreneurs are more into Merchandising Business with (59.21%) as compared to Service Business (34.21%) and Manufacturing Business (10.53%). The results also disclosed that, in Ghana, transnational entrepreneurs businesses are managed and run mostly by their families (59.21%). Ashanti Region of Ghana was spotted to be more involved in doing business with 52.63%. The research employed both deductive and exploratory approach and the methods were both primary and secondary. The study focused on small-scale entrepreneurs who run their businesses through personal social connections. The research is subjected to the bias of the respondents, therefore, 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

From ethnic enclaves to transnational entrepreneurs: the American dream of the Finns in Oregon, USA

The American economy builds strongly on migrant resources and businesses, presenting cases like Silicon Valley. In fact, migrants and diasporans have distinct characteristics of entrepreneurship, as they draw on their diasporic resources and networks while approaching business opportunities. Theories on diaspora entrepreneurship need to be further examined and conceptualised in regards to the roles of transnationalism and time as explanatory factors in entrepreneurial opportunity development. The Finnish diaspora in Oregon is an example of an evolving diasporic community where entrepreneurship has played an important role. The purpose of this paper is to increase our understanding of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship and its evolution over time, in particular, how these diasporans approach business opportunities and create their enterprises. This case study illustrates differences in entrepreneurial paths linked to generations and integration, and that 'Finnishness' and transnationalism, in regards to entrepreneurial activities, dissolve over time, influencing opportunity recognition.

Cosmopolitanism and transnational elite entrepreneurial practices

PurposeThe paper aims to focus on the role that cosmopolitanism and, in particular, “the cosmopolitan disposition” (Woodwardet al., 2008) plays in the process of entrepreneurial business by transnational business elites in Dubai.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a relational perspective based on Bourdieu and Wacquant’s (1992)Reflexive Sociology, as well as an inductive design, the authors conducted 30 semi-structured interviews focusing on both expatriates and Emiratis (locals/nationals) who displayed key features of a transnational business elite.FindingsThe findings indicate that the cosmopolitan disposition is an asset for transnational business elites when they venture in the context of Dubai.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings would have to be further replicated in similar contexts, i.e. other major cities displaying similar cosmopolitan features with Dubai. A theoretical framework that calls for further study of transnational entrepreneurship via the lens of cosmopolitan disposition and Bourdieuan “habitus” is proposed.Practical implicationsThe research outlines cosmopolitan skills for a transnational business elite which are required when entrepreneurial ventures are developed in the context of a city like Dubai.Social implicationsCosmopolitanism and transnational entrepreneurship change cities like Dubai around the world constantly. Therefore, this study aims at achieving a better understanding of these changes and the ways in which they occur.Originality/valueStudies on transnational entrepreneurship have already adopted Bourdieu’s theory (1977/1986), but this is the first time the cosmopolitan perspective and disposition is researched using this approach.

Simple Word of Mouth or Complex Resource Orchestration for Overcoming Liabilities of Outsidership

Drawing on the resource orchestration literature, we explore the processes by which transnational entrepreneurs offset the liabilities of outsidership they face in their host country. We show how these entrepreneurs’ outsidership with respect to domestic business networks of the host country is compensated by their involvement in diaspora networks. Our second contribution lies in an extension of the resource orchestration framework, as we show that sequencing of resource orchestration processes is important for the implementation of the entrepreneurs’ strategy for using their embeddedness within the diaspora network for enhancing their competitiveness and can lead to groupings of activities that differ from the groupings found in the original version of the framework.

Phases and Key Challenges in Indian Internet Startup Lifecycle: Transnational Entrepreneurship vs. Local Entrepreneurship

Phases and Key Challenges in Indian Internet Startup Lifecycle: Transnational Entrepreneurship vs. Local Entrepreneurship

Individuality of Transnational Entrepreneurs: A Missing Link

Transnational entrepreneurs are major agents of trade and commerce in globalized world. These distinguished categories of entrepreneurs engage in trade and commerce at two different environment i.e. home countries and host. This zeal and force of transnational entrepreneurs moves the world of trade and commerce as they confront the unknown and step forward to create the future. As the part of globalization, transnational entrepreneurs have attracted researchers from different disciplines. The knowledge on transnational entrepreneurs is still in its budding stage, it mainly focuses on sociological aspects, but individual aspects like personality traits and behavioral aspects of transnational entrepreneurs are still untouched. The limitations of existing literatures on transnational entrepreneurs are as follows. a) It has not concentrated on individuality (personality traits and behavioral aspects) of transnational entrepreneurs. b) It has not highlighted on the antecedent factors affecting the growth of transnational entrepreneurs (like transnational entrepreneurs' entrepreneurial potential, motivation, leadership skills etc).

Transnational entrepreneurship in emerging markets

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the transnational entrepreneurial activities of Colombian emigrants to the USA in the context of the Colombian government’s policies and initiatives aimed at encouraging and facilitating emigrants’ transnational entrepreneurship. It examines the profile of Colombian emigrants, the entrepreneurial transnational activities they pursue and the actual and potential role of the government in instigating and shaping these activities. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzes data obtained from focus groups with migrant families and interviews with governmental officials and an expert researcher. It also evaluates secondary data sources relevant to the subject of the paper. Findings The impact of transnational activities of Colombian migrants upon Colombian economy and society is much lower compared with the activities of migrants in other countries and with the potential these activities could have for contributing to the economic development of Colombia. Possible causes of this include: the specific characteristics of the Colombian emigrant and entrepreneur profile, the fragmentation of transnational networks of the migrants and the lack of governmental strategies to support the development of transnational activities of migrants. Originality/value The paper contributes to the debates on emigrant–state relation through offering an analysis of migrant entrepreneurship, technology and knowledge transfer and investment activities of Colombian emigrants in the home country. It also provides recommendations for policy action and concrete government programs that might encourage greater involvement of Colombian migrants in high value-adding activities that could benefit the country’s development.