Socio-Cultural Factors and Transnational Entrepreneurship: A Multiple Case Study in Spain

Abstract

This article addresses theoretical and empirical issues concerning the emergent field of transnational entrepreneurship (TE). We discuss issues regarding the antecedents of TE, focusing specifically on the socio-cultural factors affecting this phenomenon in the Spanish context. Entrepreneurship, ethnic and TE literature is combined with institutional approach to explain what and how different socio-cultural factors influence the emergence and development of TE in Catalonia (in the north-east of Spain). We do this by looking at four case studies of transnational entrepreneurs with different ethnicity (Ecuadorian, Latin American; Moroccan, North African; Chinese, Asian; and Romanian, Eastern European). Important differences between socio-cultural factors that affect the emergence of TE (role models, immigrants’ entrepreneurial attitudes) and those that facilitate the development of transnational entrepreneurial activities (transnational networks and immigrants’ perceptions of the culture and opportunities of the host society) are found.

Keywords: institutional theory, socio-cultural factors, Spain, transnational entrepreneurship

JEL Classification: B52, L26, M13