Exploring the evolution of ethnic entrepreneurship: the case of Brazilian immigrants in Florida

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze Brazilian entrepreneurial communities in Florida, through the capitals theory approach. Design/methodology/approach By adopting a comparative case study approach, the researchers conducted 80 in-depth interviews with Brazilian entrepreneurs in two different communities – Pompano Beach (Miami area) and Orlando, Florida. Data triangulation was performed through interviews with community stakeholders, secondary sources of data and surveys. Findings Authors propose a framework of 27 contexts, based on immigrant entrepreneurs’ capital provisions. Evidence points to different evolutionary paths of the two communities of Brazilian immigrants that were compared. Some of these contexts were found in other ethnicities from extant literature, which shows that it might be generalizable to other cases. Research limitations/implications The limitations relate to the fact that the comparative study was conducted in one ethnic group. Nevertheless, the paper brings insights to support future studies on immigrant and ethnic entrepreneurship as a building block for future comparative studies on other immigrant communities. Practical implications The work presents a guideline for future entrepreneurs in Florida. Social implications Implications of practice will arise after further studies in the contexts of economic, human and social capital. The cases of successful immigrant communities enlightened by the capitals theory might be useful to newly born ethnic enclaves. Originality/value The originality of the paper lies on the comparison of two entrepreneurial communities of the same ethnicity in Florida, showing different behaviors due to the internal and environmental factors. Moreover, the Brazilian entrepreneur’s particularities add up to the general theory of immigrant or ethnic entrepreneurship.

Análise de Variáveis Prescritoras da Intenção Empreendedora de Imigrantes Brasileiros em Portugal

“…Those would possibly not be so interested in venturing, corroborating the studies by Krueger, Reilly & Carsrud (2000), who shows a type of thinking that emphasizes an 'opportunities versus threats analysis', or that intentions in general depend on perceptions of personal attractiveness, social norms and viability (see Krueger & Carsrud, 1993). Cruz, Falcão and Barreto (2018), in studies carried out in a Brazilian community in South…”

“…At first, the profile of the Brazilian immigrant was composed of citizens of the middle class or upper middle class who sought better living conditions abroad. Once established, these pioneering immigrants would open opportunities for others with different profiles, including those who did not speak the local language, becoming dependent on their immigration 'godparents' (Cruz, Falcão, & Barreto, 2018).…”

“…In this sense, Cruz, Falcão and Barreto (2018) identified that many of these young people, who originally intended to return to Brazil, ended up settling in the USA and eventually opening their first Brazilian businesses. These small and medium-sized companies allowed the migration of a new wave of Brazilians, with different socioeconomic profiles.…”

“…This is partially explained by the environmental influence, whether in the policies to encourage qualified immigration, in the attraction of descendant immigrants (important for Brazilian immigrants in Portugal), or the country's general institutional environment, as evidenced in studies conducted in the United States and Australia with Brazilian communities. (Cruz, Falcão, & Barreto, 2017;Cruz, Falcão, & Barreto, 2018;Cruz, Falcão, & Mancebo, 2019;Cruz, Falcão, & Paula, 2018). The present work initially intends to offer a theoretical contribution regarding the variables that are related to the intention of venturing in the context of a Brazilian community abroad.…”

“…The present work initially intends to offer a theoretical contribution regarding the variables that are related to the intention of venturing in the context of a Brazilian community abroad. Furthermore, it is worth noting that in the field of immigrant entrepreneurship, Brazilians have been under-researched even by Brazilian academics (Cruz, Falcão, & Barreto, 2018). Most of the studies include natives from several Asian ethnicities, from Middle Eastern countries or from Latin American countries, based in Europe or the United States.…”