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Article
Publication date: 3 May 2016

Sandra Milena Santamaria Alvarez and Martyna S′liwa

This paper aims to analyse the transnational activities of Colombian migrants in the USA; the reasons why migrants engage, or not, in these activities; and the impact of migrants’…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the transnational activities of Colombian migrants in the USA; the reasons why migrants engage, or not, in these activities; and the impact of migrants’ transnational activities at the household, community and national levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses data obtained from focus groups with migrant families and interviews with government officials and an expert researcher, as well as secondary data sources.

Findings

The main transnational activities in which Colombian migrants engage in are individually oriented, while participation in collective actions such as philanthropy or membership of political parties and hometown associations is limited. The impact of those activities varies when analysed at different levels. Overall, transnational activities of Colombian migrants can be seen as contributing to the perpetuation of south–north dependency, even if they help improve the socioeconomic situation of migrants and their families.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the migration–development nexus debate by pointing to the significance of distinguishing the level of analysis (micro, meso and macro) when studying the impacts of transnationalism on development.

Details

critical perspectives on international business, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 15 April 2022

Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mora, Sebastian Aparicio, Diego Martinez-Moya and David Urbano

Motivated by a lack of evidence regarding the effect of migration on entrepreneurship in a highly informal country, such as Colombia, this paper has a twofold purpose. First, it…

3201

Abstract

Purpose

Motivated by a lack of evidence regarding the effect of migration on entrepreneurship in a highly informal country, such as Colombia, this paper has a twofold purpose. First, it explores how Venezuelan immigration affects entrepreneurial activity in Colombian regions. Second, it intends to shed light on this relationship, by distinguishing between formal and informal sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 1,776,063 individuals, from the Labor Survey Gran Encuesta Integrada de Hogares (GEIH) from the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE), the authors employ an instrumental variable approach to account for the selection of immigrants into locations with more or less desirable conditions.

Findings

The results suggest Venezuelan immigration positively influences self-employment and own-account workers, but negatively affects employers. However, once these immigrants proliferate in the informal sector, the effects increase.

Originality/value

This paper brings new insights into the intersection between immigration, unofficial economies, and entrepreneurship. First, while the prior literature focuses on migration from developing to developed countries, migratory flows between developing economies and its effects on local entrepreneurial activity remain unexplored. Second, although informality is mostly common in developing countries, little (albeit growing) evidence of its role in the relationship between migration and entrepreneurship research exists. Finally, the authors bring together these two phenomena to enhance our understanding of different types of entrepreneurial activities when immigration and informality take place. Policy implications are derived from these insights.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 28 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 May 2016

Sandra Milena Santamaria-Alvarez and Martyna Śliwa

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…

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.

Details

Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6204

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2019

Sandra Milena Santamaria-Alvarez, Maria Angélica Sarmiento-González and Luis Carlos Arango-Vieira

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of Colombian migrants’ transnational businesses (TBs) and their operations. To this end, the characteristics of the…

798

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of Colombian migrants’ transnational businesses (TBs) and their operations. To this end, the characteristics of the entrepreneurs, their businesses and the patterns of their international operations are discussed and compared.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses 14 cases developed from data from in-depth interviews with the same number of Colombian entrepreneurs who migrated to the USA. Similarly, the analysis includes secondary data sources.

Findings

TBs created by Colombian transnational entrepreneurs (TEs) aim to be successful through the best use of the resources of each market, allowing them to produce with lower costs and better quality in their country of origin while selling in more developed countries, such as the USA (their country of destination). The operations of those businesses are limited by their financial resources, small and fragmented networks, and their organic growth. The personal characteristics of the TE and their business comprise a nexus that helps to overcome business shortcomings.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to entrepreneurship, migration and international business literature by illuminating the nexus between the personal characteristics of the TE and the unique characteristics of their business, including the analysis of their international operations. Likewise, considering the characteristics of the context under study, the paper presents findings that are interesting for countries with similar social and economic difficulties.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 25 July 2023

While the country has received record intakes of Venezuelans escaping the political and economic crisis there, net outflows of Colombians have risen since the end of…

Abstract

Details

Children and the Climate Migration Crisis: A Casebook for Global Climate Action in Practice and Policy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80455-910-9

Book part
Publication date: 23 June 2022

Elizabeth Salamanca

Throughout centuries, Latin America has faced a paradox. On one hand, the abundance of resources has attracted immigrants who find a suitable place to undertake profitable…

Abstract

Throughout centuries, Latin America has faced a paradox. On one hand, the abundance of resources has attracted immigrants who find a suitable place to undertake profitable business ventures in the region. On the other hand, the limited entrepreneurial resources of most countries of the region have motivated the migration of talented people, among them entrepreneurs, to non-Latin American countries. This chapter explores this paradox through the analysis of entrepreneurs' motivations to immigrate to, and migrate from Latin America, the influence of their profile on their business ventures, as well as the role played by both the home and the host countries' institutional conditions. The findings of this analysis underline the diversity of migrant entrepreneurs in terms of personal resources and survival versus opportunity-driven migration decisions. They also reveal the kind of mechanisms migrant entrepreneurs use to counteract their host country's institutional challenges.

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Entrepreneurship in Latin America
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-955-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2018

Luis Miguel Rodrigo, Gianni Romaní and Emilio Ricci

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the immigrant entrepreneurs of the Region of Antofagasta and identify their contribution to local development.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the immigrant entrepreneurs of the Region of Antofagasta and identify their contribution to local development.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were carried out with a sample of 314 immigrant entrepreneurs in the city of Antofagasta. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and mean difference.

Findings

The results show a new type of entrepreneur that cannot be fully described by the theories developed for South–North immigrant entrepreneurs. The concept of the South–South entrepreneur is therefore proposed, in order to categorise these entrepreneurs and explain their behaviour, with the conclusion that this group makes a significant contribution to the local economy, both in terms of job and wealth creation and by broadening the availability of goods and services.

Practical implications

Given that immigrant entrepreneurs are a valuable socio-economic asset to the city in terms of job and wealth creation and service diversification, public administrations should endeavour to support these individuals and attract them to the city.

Social implications

Knowledge of the contribution of this group will lead to a greater acceptance of immigrants who have recently been rejected by certain sectors of the population.

Originality/value

This study reveals the existence of a group of immigrant entrepreneurs whose characteristics and contribution to local development were previously not known.

Propósito

El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar a los inmigrantes emprendedores/as de la región de Antofagasta e identificar de su aporte al desarrollo local.

Diseño/metodología/enfoque

Es un estudio descriptivo, con un enfoque cuantitativo. Se realizaron entrevistas cara a cara con cuestionario estructurado a una muestra de 314 inmigrantes emprendedores de la ciudad de Antofagasta. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando estadística descriptiva y diferencia de medias.

Resultados

Los resultados muestran un nuevo tipo de emprendedor que no pueden ser explicados a cabalidad por las teorías desarrolladas para inmigrantes emprendedores Sur-Norte. Por ello, se propone el concepto de emprendedores Sur-Sur, para categorizarles y explicar su comportamiento, concluyendo que realizan un aporte significativo a la economía local, tanto en generación de empleo y riqueza como en el incremento en la oferta.

Implicaciones prácticas

Puesto que los inmigrantes emprendedores son un valioso activo socioeconómico para la ciudad en términos de generación de empleo, riqueza y diversidad en la oferta de servicios, las administraciones públicas deberían de tratar de apoyarlos, cuidarlos y atraer a la ciudad.

Implicaciones sociales

El conocimiento del aporte de este colectivo contribuirá a una mejor aceptación de los inmigrantes, que en los últimos años han sido rechazados por algunos sectores de la población.

Originalidad/valor

Este estudio devela la realidad de un grupo de inmigrantes emprendedores del cual no se tenía conocimiento sobre sus características y su aporte al desarrollo local.

Details

Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1012-8255

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 30 August 2018

Ecuador is an attractive destination for Venezuelans, offering easy access to US dollars. It is also a transit route for migrants travelling to Peru and Chile. The migrant surge…

Executive summary
Publication date: 30 July 2021

LATIN AMERICA: Migration surge poses myriad risks

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