Transnational entrepreneurship in emerging markets

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the transnational entrepreneurial activities of Colombian emigrants to the USA in the context of the Colombian government’s policies and initiatives aimed at encouraging and facilitating emigrants’ transnational entrepreneurship. It examines the profile of Colombian emigrants, the entrepreneurial transnational activities they pursue and the actual and potential role of the government in instigating and shaping these activities. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzes data obtained from focus groups with migrant families and interviews with governmental officials and an expert researcher. It also evaluates secondary data sources relevant to the subject of the paper. Findings The impact of transnational activities of Colombian migrants upon Colombian economy and society is much lower compared with the activities of migrants in other countries and with the potential these activities could have for contributing to the economic development of Colombia. Possible causes of this include: the specific characteristics of the Colombian emigrant and entrepreneur profile, the fragmentation of transnational networks of the migrants and the lack of governmental strategies to support the development of transnational activities of migrants. Originality/value The paper contributes to the debates on emigrant–state relation through offering an analysis of migrant entrepreneurship, technology and knowledge transfer and investment activities of Colombian emigrants in the home country. It also provides recommendations for policy action and concrete government programs that might encourage greater involvement of Colombian migrants in high value-adding activities that could benefit the country’s development.

How Does the Man-Know-Man Network Culture Influence Transnational Entrepreneurship?

“…These are strong signs of power relations and connection with their home countries which serve as sources of support. Therefore, the framework supports the argument that the man-know-man as a network practice possesses the characteristics of a shared culture, which evolves within and across transnational entrepreneurship practices amongst TEs (Carmichael et al, 2010; Ojo, 2016; Santamaria-Alvarez & Śliwa, 2016; Terjesen & Elam, 2009).…”

“…Before transnational entrepreneurship occurs, immigrant transnationals must engage in entrepreneurial activities in their HC that will also encompass trade with their home country (Brouthers, Nakos, & Dimitratos, 2015). Transnational entrepreneurial activities include ‘remittances, cross-border trade, tourism and cross-border travelling, technology and knowledge transfer’ (Santamaria-Alvarez & Sliwa, 2016, p. 206). However, Drori et al (2009, p. 1) defined TEs as: social actors who enact networks, ideas, information and practices for the purposes of seeking business opportunities or maintaining businesses within dual social fields, which in turn forces them to engage in varied strategies of action to promote their entrepreneurial activities.…”

“…Consequently, remittances as one of the components of this effect is embedded in the process and, thus, a feature and a characteristic of transnational entrepreneurship. Similarly, since transnational activities include ‘remittances, migrant entrepreneurship, cross-border trade, telecommunications, political participation in the country of origin, tourism and cross-border travelling and technology and knowledge transfer’ (Santamaria-Alvarez & Sliwa, 2016, p. 206), the argument that ‘remittances’ constitute transnational activity is a valid hypothesis. These are strong signs of power relations and connection with their home countries which serve as sources of support.…”

An Exploratory Study of Challenges Faced by Expatriates in Knowledge Transfer while Working in Pakistan

“…Thus the sample size for this research consisted of 26 expatriates working in various organizations that were operating in Pakistan. This sample size was found sufficient in light of previous research in this area (Santamaria-Alvarez & Śliwa, 2016).…”

“…It helped in gathering opinions and their behavior in knowledge transfer. Qualitative approach has been used in the previous exploratory research undertaken in a similar context (Qureshi & Jalbani, 2017;Santamaria-Alvarez & Śliwa, 2016). A phenomenological research approach was adopted with the aim to look for challenges to expatriates in knowledge transfer in Pakistan and that would form basis for future research.…”