Female Diasporans and Diaspora Networks: A Neglected Resource for Business?

Despite increasing contemporary migration, diasporas are perceived as a historical phenomenon. Professional diasporas, like trade and merchant diasporas, have been approached with the research lens of the respective era, often implying dominant male views. Such approaches are no longer appropriate nor adequate to understand female economic and business resources in contemporary migration and diaspora. An updated intersectional resource lens is needed for studying female migrant resources in the diaspora. Growing migration of women fosters their engagement in international business and trade connecting countries and markets, but little is known about these dynamics. Hence, this chapter asks what kind of resources or potential migrant women possess in diaspora, what kind of resources are perceived by the country of origin and its businesses, and how they connect to these diasporic resources of women. We focus on the Finnish female diaspora potential and provide insights, a resource taxonomy, and recommendations on diaspora resources and strategies for Finnish public and private sector. The chapter illustrates untapped potential of female diaspora resources for business and policy making.