Family heterogeneity and migrant entrepreneurship
2024 (English)In: Handbook on migrant entrepreneurship / [ed] Beata Glinka; Jörg Freiling, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2024, p. 65-78Chapter in book (Refereed)
Abstract [en]
Family can play any of a variety of roles in the entrepreneurial process of migrants; yet the literature tends to consider family as a homogeneous unit. In reality, families comprise different structures ranging from a nuclear family to a extended family. Furthermore, given that migrant entrepreneurs may have family in their countries of origin as well as often in their countries of residence, we should consider that the notion of family and its influence can vary from one country to another. In this chapter, we aim to better understand the role of family heterogeneity in the starting of a new venture by migrant entrepreneurs by looking into family functions. We address the following research questions: (i) What family functions are present in the countries of origin and residence in the process of migrant entrepreneurs starting a new venture; and (ii) How do such functions facilitate or hinder the new venture?The chapter identifies three family functions—or family ways of working—that facilitate the new venture-creation process: (i) changing family responsibilities; (ii) family acting as a catalyzer; and (iii) family acting as bedrock. These functions are not static features, but rather processes influencing the venture-creation process. Family functions change as needed during the venture-creation process. Such changes, however, are limited to the pool of resources available to the migrant entrepreneur and his or her family in the countries of origin and residence. Family can play any of a variety of roles in the entrepreneurial process of migrants; yet the literature tends to consider family as a homogeneous unit. In reality, families comprise different structures ranging from a nuclear family to a extended family. Furthermore, given that migrant entrepreneurs may have family in their countries of origin as well as often in their countries of residence, we should consider that the notion of family and its influence can vary from one country to another. In this chapter, we aim to better understand the role of family heterogeneity in the starting of a new venture by migrant entrepreneurs by looking into family functions. We address the following research questions: (i) What family functions are present in the countries of origin and residence in the process of migrant entrepreneurs starting a new venture; and (ii) How do such functions facilitate or hinder the new venture?The chapter identifies three family functions—or family ways of working—that facilitate the new venture-creation process: (i) changing family responsibilities; (ii) family acting as a catalyzer; and (iii) family acting as bedrock. These functions are not static features, but rather processes influencing the venture-creation process. Family functions change as needed during the venture-creation process. Such changes, however, are limited to the pool of resources available to the migrant entrepreneur and his or her family in the countries of origin and residence.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 2024. p. 65-78
Series
De Gruyter Handbooks in Business, Economics and Finance, ISSN 2748-016X, E-ISSN 2748-0178
Keywords [en]
Migrant entrepreneurship, family, heterogeneity, embeddedness, venture creation process
National Category
Business Administration
Research subject
Business Studies
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-213995DOI: 10.1515/9783111025520-004ISBN: 9783111025308 (print)ISBN: 9783111025520 (electronic)ISBN: 9783111025735 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-213995DiVA, id: diva2:1793668
2023-09-012023-09-012024-08-16Bibliographically approved