The expat-preneur: conceptualizing a growing international career phenomenon

Abstract

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. AbstractPurpose -The purpose of this paper is to introduce the emerging international career phenomenon of the "expat-preneur," an individual temporarily living abroad who initiates an international new venture (self-employment) opportunity in a host country. Design/methodology/approach -This analysis is based on the authors' observance of developing trends that also are showcased in the international management and IHRM literatures. Findings -Two general types of expat-preneurs are proposed: first, pre-departure expat-preneurs who move abroad with a preconceived entrepreneurial purpose; and second, transitioned expat-preneurs who, only while abroad, recognize and pursue a new venture opportunity, either from the status of selfinitiated expatriates (SIEs) looking for local employment or while serving as organization-assigned expatriates and leaving the organization at the end of the assignment or midstream. Research limitations/implications -Distinctions between expat-preneurs and typical business SIEs are explored, and important contributions that expat-preneurs may provide in strengthening local host country economies are considered. Directions for further systematic and empirical research on the expat-preneur international career phenomenon are discussed. Practical implications -Important mutually beneficial implications are noted for multinationals in supporting expat-preneurs' long-term success in host country environments. Originality/value -This conceptual study provides a valuable recognition and analysis of an important and growing international career category that has received scant attention in the literature. This research has important implications for the understanding of new international career dynamics associated with the growing trend of international entrepreneurship, especially valuable for emerging markets and of interest to multinational firms interested in the movement of their human capital.

Advancing the views on migrant and diaspora entrepreneurs in international entrepreneurship

“…This multi-and interdisciplinary challenge is interesting and vital for triggering theoretical progress and cross-dissemination. For example, the ongoing discussion on expat-preneurs is very relevant to IE facing multiple similarities despite different perspectives (Vance et al 2017(Vance et al , 2016. Such overlaps suggests synergies and potential for novelty in inclusive approaches and illustrate implicit conceptual continuums.…”

“…Interestingly, migrants and diasporans are commonly seen as having a deficit-necessity position in a society and as entrepreneurs, but at the same time, they may mobilize diverse resources that foster business development and support internationalization processes, which may happen transnationally linking home and host contexts (Discua Cruz et al 2013;Drori et al 2009;Elo and Volovelsky 2017;Emontspool and Servais 2017;Jones and Coviello 2005;Terjesen and Elam 2009;Turunen and Nummela 2016). In the international human resources and expatriation literature, the resources of migrants and diasporans are addressed as even superior for international business, and seen as particular assets (e.g., Mahroum 2000; Vance et al 2016;Tung 2008). Positive aspects, such as opportunities and international capabilities, can also be crucial in explaining their entrepreneurship (Discua Cruz et al 2012;Elo et al 2015;Mainela et al 2014;Nijkamp et al 2010).…”

Integration of “Ideal Migrants”: Dutch lifestyle expat-preneurs in Swedish campgrounds

“…The concept of expat-preneurs was introduced by Vance et al (2016) to account for the growing trend of self-initiated migrant entrepreneurs within globalising modern societies. These entrepreneurs migrate abroad to pursue business goals and generally do not intend to permanently stay in the host country, although this option is not excluded.…”

“…Historical research on "ethnic entrepreneurs" predominantly focused on migrants of black, Hispanic, or Asian heritage in the context of the United States (Aldrich & Waldinger, 1990), and more recently on Turkish, Surinamese, or Carribean heritage in the context of Netherlands (Rath & Kloosterman, 2000) who also often must "rise from the bottom." This is, however, not the case with expat-preneursindividuals who choose out of volition, not necessity, to temporarily live abroad and initiate a new international venture opportunity in a host country and are coming from a position of privilege (Vance et al, 2016). There is a clear lack of knowledge about such entrepreneurs, as recently found by Vance et al (2016) and Girling and Bamwenda (2018).…”

“…In light of growing right-wing political sentiments in EU countries on one hand, and a desire to attract "cosmopolitan entrepreneurial migrants" (Scuzzarello, 2015) on the other, there is a need for closer attention to, and a more nuanced theoretical framing of, such migrants. As pointed out by Vance, McNulty, Paik, and D'Mello (2016) and Girling and Bamwenda (2018), relatively affluent migrant entrepreneurs are insufficiently captured by the majority of entrepreneurship theories. Better understanding of their post-migratory integration and experiences would help to empirically substantiate political rhetoric and provide recommendations for regions attracting and, most importantly, retaining such migrants.…”