Conceptualizing Diasporic Entrepreneurship
In the last decade, both the United Nations and the World Bank have acknowledged the benefits that entrepreneurs from a variety of diasporas bring to their countries of origin. Yet little systematic research has been done to understand this phenomenon.
Dr. Ash Prasad, Canada Research Chair in Innovative Organizational Practice, will investigate what motivates entrepreneurs from various diasporas to return to their home countries to establish new ventures. Prasad will also seek to understand how the decision to return may transform the business climate where these entrepreneurs operate.
Prasad’s research will answer three inter-related questions: What motivates entrepreneurs to return to their countries of origin to pursue ventures despite the more difficult conditions—caused by eroded social and political institutions—in those locations? How do these entrepreneurs subjectively define entrepreneurial and personal success? And how do they serve as agents of change in their countries of origin?
By conceptualizing how diasporic entrepreneurs in Fiji, Mexico and Palestine navigate a variety of complex socio-political conditions, Prasad and his research team will gain insights into how innovative entrepreneurial behaviour can overcome the related challenges.
Ultimately, Prasad’s research will create knowledge that leads to sustainable entrepreneurship.