Language Diversity – Multi-Ethnic Migrant and Diaspora Resources for International Business and Entrepreneurship

Abstract

General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

Resilience and business model adaptation in turbulent times: experiences of Russophone migrant entrepreneurs in Germany during Covid-pandemic

“…The study shows that agile and creative language usage, multiple language usage that embeds host country markets and country of origin markets, and digital or online business model adaptations may enable business survival and growth. Extant linguistic diasporas provide valuable resources for entrepreneurmanagers (Elo, Kothari & Ivanova-Gongne, 2022). Policymaking shaping instructions and support programs for migrant entrepreneurship should reconsider how to address the risks that rigid business models and language practices may involve for migrant entrepreneurs who face specific vulnerabilities, as well as the risks caused by external shocks.…”

“…Migrant and diasporic resources are typically manifested in diaspora networks and embeddedness, which underlines the particularities and importance of the strategies of migrant entrepreneurs (Elo et al, 2018). These particularities demonstrate difference to non-migrant, non-diasporic entrepreneurs, as they can have features, such as linguistic resources (Elo, Ivanova-Gongne, & Kothari, 2022;, middleman minority characteristics (Bonacich, 1973); disadvantages (Light & Gold, 2000); ethnic enclave economy potential (Wilson & Portes, 1980), special interaction patterns (Waldinger et al, 1990), diverse mixed embeddedness constellations (Kloosterman & Rath 2001) and diaspora social, cultural and historical resources (Riddle & Brinkerhoff, 2011;Elo & Minto-Coy, 2018). Ethnic businesses such as groceries and restaurants of national cuisines are typically the first created within the ethnic community, these are not necessarily businesses engaging in international operations despite their international characteristics (e.g.…”

Researching hard-to-reach populations: lessons learned from dispersed migrant communities

“…Regarding future studies, we suggest delving into other disciplines, including medicine, psychology and health, that use remote data collection, for in-depth assessment. We recommend addressing research team composition and language aspects in migrant entrepreneurship research as an important emerging area of concern, especially during geopolitical turbulences and uncertainty (Salmi, 2010;Elo et al, 2022c). Well-suited teams can contribute with their social and cultural capital and prior experiences online and offline.…”

“…The International Organization for Migration IOM (2022) estimated 281 million international migrants in 2020, which equates to 3.6% of the global population. As displaced people encounter several barriers to their professional outplacement (such as language proficiency, cultural adaptation and/or lack of networking), coupled with market opportunities, migrant entrepreneurship emerges as a viable alternative for societal insertion in new contexts (Elo et al. , 2022a).…”