Immigrant entrepreneurship contextualised

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Camilla Munkejord
Keyword(s):  
Western World ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Cultural Variation ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Female Immigrants ◽  
Rural Context ◽  
And Gender

Purpose This paper aims to address the rural and gender gaps in the immigrant entrepreneurship literature by exploring the start-up stories of 18 female immigrants who currently run a business in northernmost Norway. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a qualitative fieldwork including business visits and in-depth interviews. The transcripts from the interviews were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) approach. Findings Four modes of entry to entrepreneurship were identified: entrepreneurship as a way out of unemployment; entrepreneurship as a means to avoid underemployment, entrepreneurship as a means to live in a region of perceived attraction; and entrepreneurship as a preferred choice for women in satisfactory wage labour. In addition, the paper reveals the importance of family support and of spatial embeddedness among immigrant entrepreneurs living in a rural context. Practical implications This study notes that the modes of entry to rural immigrant entrepreneurship are diverse, but that they are often partly related to the pursuit of an initial feeling of belonging in the new region of settlement. Hence, developing the knowledge of how to not only attract but also retain and increase the feeling of local belonging of immigrants may be important for many rural regions in the Western world. This is because rural immigrants not only represent a much needed in-flow of younger people in a typically decreasing and ageing population but also entail cultural variation and job creation, thus contributing to place development. Social implications The paper argues for the importance of considering immigrant entrepreneurs as significant actors of rural development. Originality/value While immigrant entrepreneurship has emerged as an important field of study, it has been criticised for focusing predominantly on men and for neglecting contextual variations in the analysis. The rural context especially has been largely omitted. By focusing on female immigrants having established a business in a rural context, the paper adds to the literature, firstly, by highlighting the experiences of female immigrant entrepreneurs. Secondly, it reveals that rural immigrant entrepreneurship cannot be conceived in terms of “ethnic resources” or “enclave economy” that are often central explanatory dimensions in megacity studies. Thirdly, it argues for the importance of considering both the spatial as well as the family contexts in the author’s theoretical conceptualizations of the (immigrant) entrepreneurial start-up phase.

scholarly journals Local and transnational networking among female immigrant entrepreneurs in peripheral rural contexts: Perspectives on Russians in Finnmark, Norway

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Camilla Munkejord
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Ethnic Networks ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Female Immigrant ◽  
Transnational Networking ◽  
The Family ◽  
Rural Context

Social networks are vital to the start-up and development of new businesses. In immigrant entrepreneurship research, the key role of co-ethnic networks has been particularly highlighted. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the networking practices of immigrants who start businesses in a rural context where co-ethnic communities do not exist. In order to address this gap, this article highlights the experiences of female Russian immigrant entrepreneurs living in Finnmark in northernmost Norway. Finnmark in fact represents a particularly interesting geographical context for such an empirical focus. The article considers how social, economic and cultural contexts configure network relationships and reveals the important role of the family, and in particular the male spouse, representing a network of resources that may alleviate migrant disadvantage through affective ties. Moreover, it shows that the family of the immigrant entrepreneurs may be located both locally in the new context of settlement and transnationally in the country of origin, and in addition may be of both co-ethnic and cross-ethnic character.

Beyond embedded or not embedded: immigrant entrepreneurs’ embeddedness levels

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uǧur Yetkin ◽  
Deniz Tunçalp
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Markets And Institutions ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Integration Of Immigrants ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Search And Selection

Purpose This paper aims to review the immigrant entrepreneurship literature to locate how researchers consider embeddedness to home and host countries beyond the “embedded” or “not” dichotomy. Design/methodology/approach The paper conducts a systematic literature review. The authors found 106 articles in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, using a structured search and selection protocol. Findings Few articles perceive embeddedness openly as a gradual phenomenon. However, articles in the review use different approaches for considering relative levels of embeddedness, such as depth of social ties. In addition, some articles take a dual perspective or make multi-contextual comparisons to acknowledge immigrant entrepreneurs’ embeddedness levels. These articles emphasise embeddedness as a gradual phenomenon to understand the complexity of immigrant entrepreneurs’ contextualisation better. Based on the review, the paper develops a model, considering embeddedness as an emergent result of the immigrants’ engagement with spaces, networks, markets and institutions of a given home or host context. It also accounts for the dynamic interaction between contextual factors as embeddedness levels change. Research limitations/implications The paper has located all relevant papers in the used databases. However, the systematic review protocol naturally limits its scope. Nevertheless, the developed model based on the review helps researchers develop a more comprehensive understanding of embeddedness and possibly ask novel questions. Social implications This paper can help policymakers improve their policies for the progressive social integration of immigrants, as it helps consider different embeddedness levels. Originality/value Researchers mainly consider individuals’ embeddedness as either “embedded” or “not.” However, we can also understand embeddedness at various levels, e.g. partial, increasing/decreasing and gradual. Significant changes occur in the embeddedness of individuals during immigration. Additionally, contextual relations intertwine immigrants’ entrepreneurial activity over time. The paper reviews embeddedness in the immigrant entrepreneurship literature, searching beyond the dichotomic use of embeddedness. Then, it develops a theoretical understanding of embeddedness levels.

Imitation in immigrant entrepreneurship: an analytical framework

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Glinka ◽  
Przemysław G. Hensel
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Preliminary Validation

PurposeThe phenomenon of imitation has attracted immense attention in studies of big companies, but it has been largely neglected in the immigrant entrepreneurship research thus far. The purpose of this paper is to address that gap by proposing a theoretical framework for studying immigrant entrepreneurship imitation decisions.Design/methodology/approachThe framework is based on a review of relevant literature covering the issue of imitation within three perspectives: institutional, heuristics of judgement and organisational learning. We validate the framework by juxtaposing it with existing studies on immigrant entrepreneurship, where imitation practices were directly and indirectly referred to. The framework is also initially validated with data from three qualitative studies performed by the authors.FindingsThe literature-derived framework consists of three major building blocks (i.e. causes, target and content of imitation) while immigrant-entrepreneurship specificity (ethnic groups and clusters, ethnic identity, generation, and resources) constitutes the context of the framework. The authors formulate 12 propositions on which the framework is based. The specific character of immigrant entrepreneurs' imitation decision is discussed, and differences in that regard between immigrant entrepreneurs and established local businesses are highlighted.Research limitations/implicationsA more diversified sample and quantitative studies are needed to further verify the proposed framework and propositions.Social implicationsThe framework is intended to expedite future research on immigrant entrepreneurs' imitative decisions and facilitate better-adjusted public policy to support immigrant entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThis paper drives attention to a widely used, yet understudied phenomenon of imitation, provides an analytical framework for the study of imitation in immigrant entrepreneurship, provides a preliminary validation of the framework and contributes to a better understanding of immigrant behaviour.

scholarly journals Understanding immigrant entrepreneurship: a home-country entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carson Duan ◽  
Kamaljeet Sandhu ◽  
Bernice Kotey
Keyword(s):  
Host Country ◽  
Home Country ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Country Effects ◽  
Entrepreneurial Capital

PurposeGiven the importance of immigration and immigrant entrepreneurs in advanced economies, the authors take an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective to study the home-country benefits possessed by immigrant entrepreneurs and how home-country entrepreneurial ecosystem factors affect immigrant entrepreneurial motivations, activities and outcomes.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual research paper follows McGaghie, Bordage and Shea's (2001) four-step new theory creation process, which suggests that new theories can be created through facts extraction from the extant literature.FindingsThe authors propose that although immigrant entrepreneurs are unable to take full benefit of the host-country entrepreneurial ecosystem due to blocked mobility, they do have capabilities to access and use their home-country entrepreneurial resources and opportunities. The authors further propose that home-country entrepreneurial capital can be systemically analyzed through the framework of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The results imply that immigrant entrepreneurship as a social and economic phenomenon can be studied more holistically from both host- and home-country perspectives compared to the traditional research boundary of the host-country only.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focuses on the identification of home-country effects on immigrant entrepreneurship through the lens of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Testable propositions provide directions for future empirical research on the field of immigrant entrepreneurship from a home-country perspective. The research concludes that a holistic immigrant entrepreneurship study should consider dual (host- and home-country) entrepreneurial ecosystems.Practical implicationsImmigrant entrepreneurs benefit from both host- and home-country entrepreneurial ecosystems. This paper suggests co-effects of dual entrepreneurial ecosystems lead to a high rate of entrepreneurship and business success within some immigrant groups. Policymakers can increase economic activities by developing and deploying programs to encourage immigrants to embed in host- and home-country entrepreneurial ecosystems.Originality/valueBased on the framework of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, this paper brings a novel perspective to examining home-country effects on immigrant entrepreneurship. It theoretically conceptualizes that immigrants have higher entrepreneurship rates than native-born populations because they have access to extra home-country entrepreneurial capital.

Entrepreneurial intentions and gender: pathways to start-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahrokh Nikou ◽  
Malin Brännback ◽  
Alan L. Carsrud ◽  
Candida G. Brush
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Gender Similarities ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to revisit the conceptualization and measurement of entrepreneurial intentions. Significant studies anchored in the Theory of Planned Behavior use causal statistical approaches to entrepreneurial intentions. This methodological approach, leads to the conclusion that there is a single pathway for all groups of people to achieve business start-up. Even though theory suggests approaches by women entrepreneurs to start a business may be influenced by different factors from those influencing men, results are inconclusive in these analyses. The authors argue that methodological preferences for linear, causal analytical approaches limit the understanding of gender similarities and differences in the business start-up process. The authors propose that when considering diverse samples, it is unreasonable to assume there is only a single pathway leading to business start-up. Design/methodology/approach Building on fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) and data set of 2,038 respondents, the authors investigate factors predicting the intentions to start a business and evaluate the alternative conjunctive paths that emerge. Findings The fsQCA results shows that the relationship among conditions leading to entrepreneurial intentions is complex and is best represented as multiple and conjectural causation configurations. In other words, there are multiple significant pathways (refers to equifinality) that predict intentions to start a business start-up, and there are significant differences by gender. Originality/value This study is one of the first to examine the roll of gender as a sperate condition in the analysis. This paper offers implications for theory and future research and highlights the complexity of this domain.

Immigrant entrepreneurs and community social capital: an exploration of motivations and agency

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-605
Author(s):  
Claudia Gomez ◽  
B. Yasanthi Perera ◽  
Judith Y. Wesinger ◽  
David H. Tobey
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Ethnic Community ◽  
Business Success ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mixed Motives

PurposeThe social capital used to access ethnic community resources is widely recognized in the literature as being important for immigrant entrepreneurship. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the extent to which immigrant entrepreneurs' agency, specifically their motivations, influence their use of, and contributions to, their ethnic social capital. In this paper, the authors explore this relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on a qualitative approach, this research utilizes semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to identify the motivations, sources and effects of ethnic social capital.FindingsThis research indicates that immigrant entrepreneurs have mixed motives when engaging with their ethnic communities. The findings suggest that the immigrant entrepreneurs' social capital–mediated interactions within their ethnic community are driven not only by the social structure but that their agency, specifically their motivations, play an important role in them. While entrepreneurs hold mixed motives, they recognize the importance of business success. Thus, they make concessions to their ethnic community and utilize its resources if doing so benefits their business.Research limitations/implicationsThis research explores the role that immigrant entrepreneurs' motivations play in how they use and contribute to immigrant community social capital. By doing so, this study brings agency to the forefront of the discussion on immigrant entrepreneurship and social capital.Practical implicationsThis study provides insight into the connection between the extent to which immigrant entrepreneurs utilize and contribute to their ethnic community's social capital, their motivations for doing so and the effect that these factors have on the businesses as well as their ethnic communities. This understanding might be useful for organizations seeking to foster immigrant entrepreneurship as well as for entrepreneurs themselves.Originality/valueIndividuals' motivations as they relate to social capital involve a variable that is rarely, if ever, considered – that is, individual agency. Thus, this research contributes this perspective to the immigrant entrepreneurship literature but also more broadly to the social capital and entrepreneurship fields. This research can be extended to understand the impact of entrepreneurs' motivations on the communities in which they are embedded.

Women‐focused small business programming: client motives and perspectives

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 236-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Orser ◽  
Catherine Elliott ◽  
Sandi Findlay‐Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ethics Of Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Entrepreneurship Policy ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to draw on feminist ethics of care theory to examine motives for accessing a women‐focused, small business programme (Centre). Perceived differences between women‐focused and other small business advisory agencies are discussed.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey captured verbatim responses from 212 respondents. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis using NVivo8.FindingsMost respondents were growth‐oriented, well educated and employed prior to start‐up. Clients employed the Centre for three reasons, including acquisition of managerial, social capital and gender‐related motives. The Centre was perceived as being “different” to other agencies such that staff implicitly understood their needs as businesswomen, services were targeted specifically to women and clients felt empowered and comfortable seeking business advice in an inviting, low risk learning environment. Findings contradict studies and argument that targeted (gender‐based) programming offers few advantages.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research might investigate how “gendered” client motives and learning needs are reflected in mainstream and gender‐based entrepreneurship policy and programme design. The geographic scope is limited to Nova Scotia (eastern Canada).Practical implicationsThe study helps to explain observations that women‐focused small business training centres are modifying mandates from a focus on start‐up to growth, modifications that reflected client aspirations.Originality/valueThe study provides insights about the genderedness (Calás and Smircich) of small business programming and helps to define feminine ethics of care within the small firm training context.

Religion and entrepreneurship in New Zealand

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Carswell ◽  
Deborah Rolland
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Belief Systems ◽  
Religious Practice ◽  
Value Systems ◽  
Western World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between religion and entrepreneurship and whether religious practice impacts on how individuals view the individual and societal contribution of business enterprise. As ethnic diversity is increasing within the Western world, so too is the religious mix of value systems and religious belief systems that come with such diversity/religions. Paralleling increasing diversity is the decreasing participation rates in the traditional Christian churches. The paper questions the impact of this changing religious mix on entrepreneurial participation and perception.Design/methodology/approachA total of 2,000 randomly‐selected New Zealanders were telephone‐surveyed to measure their perceptions of individual and societal impacts of entrepreneurial participation and religious practice.FindingsThe findings indicate that increasing ethnic diversity and associated religious value systems are certainly not going to negatively reduce the business start‐up rate. If anything, the start‐up rate may be enhanced.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the value that New Zealand society places upon entrepreneurship is not diminished by the increasing religious diversity in the country.

scholarly journals The entrepreneurial financing of the immigrant entrepreneurs: a literature review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan Malki ◽  
Timur Uman ◽  
Daniel Pittino
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurship ◽  
Units Of Analysis ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Financing

AbstractThere is an increasing interest in the phenomenon of immigrant entrepreneurship. Despite the growing number of studies, the financing aspect of immigrant entrepreneurship is still an emergent subject. In this paper, we critically and systematically review the field of the entrepreneurial financing of immigrant entrepreneurs. For this purpose, we conduct a two-step analysis of 37 systematically selected articles. In the first step, we provide an overall description of the field, while in the second step we perform a SWOT analysis on different aspects of the field, including the units of analysis, the main questions, and the use of theories and methods in the field. The review identifies gaps and weaknesses in the field, suggests potential opportunities for future research, and highlights some threats that could impede the implementation of future opportunities. Finally, the review suggests further questions to be explored for future advancement of knowledge in the field.

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