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Return Migrant Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

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  • Bárbara G. Silva
  • Nicholas C. Andriese
  • James G. Combs

Abstract

Why do migrants return home and start businesses? Research on this multistage phenomenon—that is, return followed by entrepreneurship—is fragmented, reflecting different scholarly approaches and reasons migrants return and start businesses (or not). We systematically review 80 papers addressing aspects of returnee entrepreneurship and organize findings into a two-stage process model grounded in three levels of analysis—institutional, social, and individual. Our model contributes by providing a parsimonious way to understand returnee entrepreneurship and describe what has been learned. We also contribute a research agenda to help entrepreneurship scholars leverage what is known about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial processes to address critical unanswered questions.

Suggested Citation

  • Bárbara G. Silva & Nicholas C. Andriese & James G. Combs, 2026. "Return Migrant Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 50(1), pages 115-149, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:50:y:2026:i:1:p:115-149
    DOI: 10.1177/10422587251322402
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