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The emergence of small transnational enterprise in Vancouver: the case of Chinese entrepreneur immigrants

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  • Lloyd L. Wong
  • Michele Ng

Abstract

This article examines the small transnational enterprises of recent Chinese entrepreneur immigrants to Vancouver, Canada. These enterprises are part of the globalization process and contribute to the economic and cultural integration of certain regions of Asia with large urban areas of Canada. The entrepreneurs are analyzed utilizing a transnationalism framework which is situated in the ethnic enterprise literature. The article explains how these transnational small Chinese businesses are different from the businesses of earlier Chinese in Canada. A detailed analysis of the Canadian Business Immigration Program illustrates how and why small Chinese transnational enterprises have emerged. The primary data comes from extensive in–depth interviews with 61 Chinese entrepreneur immigrants that allows for the delineation of three transnational business types: (1) Asian production–North American distribution, (2) retail chains and (3) import–export. Quantitative data illustrate the major differences between ‘transnational’ and ‘non–transnational’ enterprises along several variables. Other qualitative data provide insights on how family networks are interwoven with firm relations in small transnational businesses, how entrepreneurs perceive interethnic relations and the extent to which they experience barriers to mobility. Evidence is provided of extensive transmigration and, in contrast to the sojourner identity of earlier Chinese, the data here suggests the emergence of a new transnational and cosmopolitan identity amongst entrepreneur immigrants. Cet article étudie les petites entreprises transnationales des récents immigrants chinois de Vancouver (Canada). Celles–ci s’inscrivent dans le processus de mondialisation et contribuent à l’intégration économique et culturelle de certaines régions d’Asie dans d’importantes zones urbaines canadiennes. L’analyse de ces créateurs d’entreprise est faite à partir d’un cadre d’analyse transnationaliste qui se situe dans la littérature sur l’entreprise ethnique. L’article explique en quoi ces petites entreprises chinoises transnationales diffèrent de celles des Chinois arrivés plus tôt au Canada. Une étude détaillée du Programme canadien d’Immigration des Hommes d’affaires explique comment et pourquoi sont apparues ces petites entités transnationales. Les principales données, tirées d’entretiens approfondis avec 61 entrepreneurs chinois, permettent de définir trois types d’entreprises transnationales: production asiatique avec distribution nord–américaine, chaînes de détaillants, et import–export. Des données quantitatives illustrent les grandes différences entre les entreprises ‘transnationales’ et ‘non–transnationales’ en fonction de plusieurs variables. D’autres données quantitatives révèlent de quelle manière les réseaux familiaux s’entremêlent avec les relations professionnelles dans les petites entités transnationales, comment les chefs d’entreprise perçoivent les relations inter–ethniques et dans quelle mesure ils rencontrent des obstacles à leur mobilité. Une importante transmigration est mise en evidence et, par opposition au caractère temporaire du séjour des premiers Chinois, les données suggèrent ici l’émergence d’une nouvelle identité transnationale et cosmopolite chez les immigrants chefs d’entreprise.

Suggested Citation

  • Lloyd L. Wong & Michele Ng, 2002. "The emergence of small transnational enterprise in Vancouver: the case of Chinese entrepreneur immigrants," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 508-530, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:26:y:2002:i:3:p:508-530
    DOI: 10.1111/1468-2427.00396
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Wiers & Didier Chabaud, 2022. "Bibliometric analysis of immigrant entrepreneurship research 2009–2019," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 12(1), pages 441-464, December.
    2. Lin, Xiaohua & Yang, Xiyan, 2017. "From human capital externality to entrepreneurial aspiration: Revisiting the migration-trade linkage," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 52(3), pages 360-371.
    3. Brandon D. Lundy & Mark Patterson & Alex O'Neill, 2017. "Drivers and deterrents of entrepreneurial enterprise in the risk-prone Global South," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(1), pages 65-81, January.
    4. Jean-Marie Nkongolo-Bakenda & Elie Chrysostome, 2013. "Engaging diasporas as international entrepreneurs in developing countries: In search of determinants," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 30-64, March.
    5. Tiia Vissak & Xiaotian Zhang, 2014. "Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs’ involvement in internationalization and innovation: Three Canadian cases," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 183-201, June.
    6. Ivan Light, 2014. "Transnationals in an English-speaking world," International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 23(1/2), pages 10-26.
    7. Prescott C. Ensign & Nicholas P. Robinson, 2011. "Entrepreneurs because they are Immigrants or Immigrants because they are Entrepreneurs?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 20(1), pages 33-53, March.
    8. Sarika Pruthi & Anuradha Basu & Mike Wright, 2018. "Ethnic ties, motivations, and home country entry strategy of transnational entrepreneurs," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 210-243, June.
    9. Sandra Milena Santamaria-Alvarez & Diana Carolina Muñoz-Castro & Maria Angélica Sarmiento-González & Sara Isabel Marín-Zapata, 2018. "Fragmented networks and transnational entrepreneurship: Building strategies to prosper in challenging surroundings," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 244-275, June.
    10. Xiaohua Lin & Shaw Tao, 2012. "Transnational entrepreneurs: Characteristics, drivers, and success factors," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 50-69, March.
    11. Heléne Lundberg & Anneli Rehnfors, 2018. "Transnational entrepreneurship: opportunity identification and venture creation," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 150-175, June.
    12. Masurel, E., 2008. "Local shopkeepers’ associations and ethnic minority entrepreneurs," Serie Research Memoranda 0016, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    13. Basu, Anuradha & Pruthi, Sarika, 2021. "From Ethnic Enclaves to Transnational Landscapes: A Review of Immigrant Entrepreneurship Research," Foundations and Trends(R) in Entrepreneurship, now publishers, vol. 17(1), pages 1-153, January.
    14. Stoyan Stoyanov & Richard Woodward & Veselina Stoyanova, 2018. "The Embedding of Transnational Entrepreneurs in Diaspora Networks: Leveraging the Assets of Foreignness," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 281-312, April.
    15. Ilhan-Nas, Tulay & Sahin, Kader & Cilingir, Zuhal, 2011. "International ethnic entrepreneurship: Antecedents, outcomes and environmental context," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 614-626.
    16. Rosa M. Yagüe-Perales & Pau Perez-Ledo & Isidre March-Chordà, 2019. "Keys to success in investment rounds by immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1153-1177, December.
    17. Jennifer M. Sequeira & Jon C. Carr & Abdul A. Rasheed, 2009. "Transnational Entrepreneurship: Determinants of Firm Type and Owner Attributions of Success," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(5), pages 1023-1044, September.
    18. Chung, Henry F.L. & Tung, Rosalie L., 2013. "Immigrant social networks and foreign entry: Australia and New Zealand firms in the European Union and Greater China," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 18-31.
    19. Franz Kronthaler & Katharina Becker & Kerstin Wagner, 2012. "Combination of regional characteristics for start-up activity in Switzerland," ERSA conference papers ersa12p90, European Regional Science Association.

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