Transnational migrant entrepreneurs: understanding their dependencies, fragilities, and alternatives

Sandoz, Laure;Mittmasser, Christina;Riaño, Yvonne;Izaguirre, Lorena;et.al.
(2022) Globalizations — n° online first, p. 20 (2022)

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Authors
  • Sandoz, LaureUniversity of Neuchâtel
    Author
  • Mittmasser, ChristinaUniversity of Neuchâtel
    Author
  • Riaño, YvonneUniversity of Neuchâtel
    Author
  • Author
  • et. al.
Abstract
Recent research highlights that the activities of migrant entrepreneurs increasingly extend beyond national borders, thus making them relevant actors of globalization. Nevertheless, the socio-spatial conditions that frame their cross-border activities are still poorly understood. The aim of this article is twofold: first, we apply the lens of ‘globalization from below’ to study small-scale transnational migrant entrepreneurs (TMEs), thereby providing new insights into less visible globalization processes; second, we show that TMEs are not simply free economic agents but depend on connections in local and transnational spaces. Inspired by the literature on dependencies and feminist approaches, we develop a typology to address the following research question: Under which conditions is relying on others beneficial for transnational migrant entrepreneurship, and under which conditions does it lead to precariousness? Building on 86 semi-structured interviews in Colombia, Spain, and Switzerland, we uncover the diverse nature of dependencies and reveal the unequal opportunities TMEs face.
Affiliations
  • UNINE - nccr-on the move

Citations

Sandoz, L., Mittmasser, C., Riaño, Y., Izaguirre, L., & et al. (2022). Transnational migrant entrepreneurs: understanding their dependencies, fragilities, and alternatives. Globalizations, online first, 20. https://doi.org/10.1080/14747731.2022.2157149 (Original work published 2022)