In recent years, the topic of cross-border businesses developed by immigrants (transnational entrepreneurship) has emerged as one of the most interesting areas of research in studies on immigrants and their economic activities. From a theoretical standpoint, the paper proposes to use the concept of multifocality, defined as the structural and relational embeddedness of immigrants in places and groups. A scheme adapting a mixed embeddedness approach to the case of transnational entrepreneurship is introduced. Empirically, the article presents the case of Moroccan import/export businesses in Milan, investigating the role of multifocality and structural embeddedness in shaping the internationalisation process. The study shows that Moroccan entrepreneurial activities are connected with several countries simultaneously, not only with the countries of immigration and origin. In particular, Moroccan entrepreneurs use their personal multifocality and structural embeddedness to identify and take advantage of business opportunities for internationalising the business.

Solano, G. (2016). Multifocal entrepreneurial practices: The case of Moroccan import/export businesses in Milan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS, 29(2), 176-198 [10.1504/IJESB.2016.078698].

Multifocal entrepreneurial practices: The case of Moroccan import/export businesses in Milan

SOLANO, GIACOMO
2016

Abstract

In recent years, the topic of cross-border businesses developed by immigrants (transnational entrepreneurship) has emerged as one of the most interesting areas of research in studies on immigrants and their economic activities. From a theoretical standpoint, the paper proposes to use the concept of multifocality, defined as the structural and relational embeddedness of immigrants in places and groups. A scheme adapting a mixed embeddedness approach to the case of transnational entrepreneurship is introduced. Empirically, the article presents the case of Moroccan import/export businesses in Milan, investigating the role of multifocality and structural embeddedness in shaping the internationalisation process. The study shows that Moroccan entrepreneurial activities are connected with several countries simultaneously, not only with the countries of immigration and origin. In particular, Moroccan entrepreneurs use their personal multifocality and structural embeddedness to identify and take advantage of business opportunities for internationalising the business.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Business internationalisation; Cross-border businesses; Entrepreneurial practices; Import/export businesses; Italy; Milan; Mixed embeddedness; Moroccan entrepreneurs; Moroccan immigrants; Multifocality; Small businesses; Structural embeddedness; Transnational entrepreneurship; Transnationalism;
Business internationalisation; Cross-border businesses; Entrepreneurial practices; Import/export businesses; Italy; Milan; Mixed embeddedness; Moroccan entrepreneurs; Moroccan immigrants; Multifocality; Small businesses; Structural embeddedness; Transnational entrepreneurship; Transnationalism; Business and International Management; Economics and Econometrics
English
2016
29
2
176
198
open
Solano, G. (2016). Multifocal entrepreneurial practices: The case of Moroccan import/export businesses in Milan. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS, 29(2), 176-198 [10.1504/IJESB.2016.078698].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/141566
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