Chinese migrant entrepreneurs in Budapest: changing entrepreneurial effects and forms

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore the migration dynamics that have characterized Chinese immigration in Budapest and the migrants' understanding of their own position in relation to the Chinese diaspora. The paper also aims to discuss the interaction of the local economy and resources of the Chinese migrants to form viable network communities.Design/methodology/approachThe ideas of market embeddedness and the critical role of market opportunities are critically evaluated in the context of local practices. The paper seeks to show that the “new” entrepreneur is an active and creative social actor able to utilize, mobilize and control resources in different countries to achieve business opportunities and growth for him/herself.FindingsIt is shown that globalization has spawned “new” transnational spaces and enabled migrant Chinese entrepreneurs to thrive and grow their businesses. This is a new trend and clearly suggests that a qualitatively different migration trajectory is evolving; and theoretically, analysts of globalization and entrepreneurial development have to better account for the different trajectories of entrepreneurial forms.Originality/valueThe paper suggests that this “new” migrant entrepreneurship trend is qualitatively different and marks a “new” development and it is a consequence of economic globalization and the transnationalization of business and economic activities.

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets

“…As emerging economies begin to develop at differing rates (Hoskisson et al, 2013) migration may also involve the movement of entrepreneurs from laggard emerging economies to geographically and culturally adjacent more advanced emerging economies. As yet, we have little rigorous analysis of this dimension of emerging economy entrepreneurship (for an exception see for example Wong & Primecz, 2011). Further research is needed to shed light on the distinctiveness of this type of migrant entrepreneurship.…”

Chinese business migrants in Australia: Middle-class transnationalism and ‘dual embeddedness’

“…Their ties with China remained central, and their deep version of transnationalism -dual embeddedness in two national contexts -was the central feature of their migration experience (cf. Ho and Bedford, 2008;Ren and Liu, 2015;Wong and Primecz, 2011). In addition, there seem to be no obvious finality to the migratory movement and no finality to the migration decision, especially so for these well-off 'frequent flyers' moving through the 'compressed space and time' of the Asia-Pacific (Harvey, 1990).…”

“…The number of business migrants who simultaneously migrate to and invest in a foreign country is still relatively low, though steadily increasing. The developing literature on business migration tends to place it within the framework of globalisation and emphasises its transnational nature and the strong transnational links and identities of business migrants (Ley, 2013;Ong, 1999;Wong and Ng, 2002;Wong and Primecz, 2011). The phenomenon of transnational 'hypermobility', particularly linked to the Chinese diaspora, has also been conceptualised as 'astronaut families' (Pe-Pua, 1996;Waters, 2002).…”

Social bonds: migration and comparative analysis of remitting behaviour between Pakistani and Indian diaspora

“…International migration rapid increase in developed countries and immigrant's contribution in the host country economy is the main reason of studies, especially immigrant's contribution as an entrepreneur in the labour market. (Wong and Primecz, 2011;Head and Ries, 1998;Dana 1993). Immigration and entrepreneurship are so very much typical for the 21st century (Dana and Morris, 2007).…”