There is a dearth of studies that investigate how and why firms, formed by migrant families in uncertain contexts, internationalise. Such topic is important as there are calls to understand the unique approach migrant families in business may take to address contextual uncertainty.Recent studies suggest that a focus on social networks may help to theorize the way migrant families in business go beyond host country borders. We argue that the social resources that migrant families in business leverage to internationalise, particularly ethnic networks, may provide them with both advantages and disadvantages. This chapter relies on a single case study of a diversified agrobusiness, owned and managed by a German migrant family in business in Nicaragua. Findings reveal how contextual challenges foster the early and continued reliance on ethnic networks to internationalise. Critical events reinforce such dependence yet prompt the expansion of existing networks beyond family and ethnic circles.The chapter contributes to extending knowledge in the fields of internationalisation and family business in developing economies.

Few authors have referred to the existing relationship between the topics of entrepreneurship and family business, but the number is in crescendo. In this work, we will make a description of each type of entrepreneurship offered by the literature, and select seven characteristics that most of them share. These characteristics are contrasted with every type of entrepreneurship and with the family business actors. At last, we will propose a study model, share some conclusions and recommendations for owner families.

Few authors have referred to the existing relationship between the topics of entrepreneurship and family business, but the number is in crescendo. In this work, we will make a description of each type of entrepreneurship offered by the literature, and select seven characteristics that most of them share. These characteristics are contrasted with every type of entrepreneurship and with the family business actors. At last, we will propose a study model, share some conclusions and recommendations for owner families.

This study deals with migrant business families. The main argument of this chapter is that migrant business families, as a category, underscores a capacity to adapt to new and changing environments. While some recent studies have suggested the prevalence of migrant business families around the world, we still know little about the challenges they face to create and develop their firms, particularly in underexplored contexts. Using a historical approach, we advance understanding by concentrating on Arab and German migrant business families in two Central American developing countries, Honduras and Nicaragua, respectively. We find that initial and subsequent contextual changes in host countries may support and/or disadvantage some migrant families over others over time. Yet a reliance on ethnic and transnational networks may allow migrant business families to adapt and thrive. In contrast to prior work, migrant business family members in developing economies contextually adapt through a cultivating an ethnic family culture, enhancing ethnic networks and strengthening transnational business links. Our chapter argues that the ability of business families to adapt and prosper in a wide range of environments explains their prevalence around the world.

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