Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Business Dynamics
Summary
Immigrant entrepreneurship encompasses the processes by which migrants establish and develop businesses in host countries, often drawing on resources and networks that span national borders. These entrepreneurs contribute to economic dynamism by creating jobs, fostering innovation and facilitating knowledge transfer between home and host economies. Central to this phenomenon are the multiple institutional, cultural and social contexts that shape opportunity recognition, resource access and firm performance. Business dynamics in this field include venture emergence, growth trajectories and survival patterns, which are influenced by factors such as regulatory frameworks, financial inclusion, digital connectivity and local market conditions. Research has progressively highlighted the role of transnational ties, digital capabilities and behavioural imprints in driving enterprise effectiveness, while also emphasising the importance of inclusive policies to reduce barriers and harness the full potential of migrant-led firms. The global significance of this work lies in its implications for urban regeneration, rural development and cross-border value chains, with practical applications for policymakers, support organisations and financial institutions seeking to promote equitable economic growth.
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Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Business Dynamics publication trend
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Technical terms
Transnational digital entrepreneurship: The creation and management of ventures that leverage digital technologies to serve customers in both home and host markets, drawing on cross-border resources and networks.
Imprinting: A behavioural concept denoting the lasting influence of early experiences and contexts on entrepreneurs’ attitudes, strategic choices and opportunity-recognition processes.
Socio-structural mechanisms: The social and organisational processes—such as trust formation, network support and institutional alignment—that mediate the relationship between entrepreneurial capabilities and enterprise outcomes.
References
- Transnational digital entrepreneurship and enterprise effectiveness: A micro-foundational perspective. Journal of Business Research (2023).
- Host versus home country influence on the immigrant entrepreneurial process: an imprinting perspective. Review of Managerial Science (2024).
- Refugee entrepreneurship: systematic and thematic analyses and a research agenda. Small Business Economics (2022).
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