Mixed embeddedness of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Toronto
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 19 July 2021
Issue publication date: 11 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate how social integration, immigrant networks and barriers to ventureing affect the entrepreneurial activities of Brazilians in Canada, indicating how mixed embeddedness takes place in that context.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected in Toronto, through the application of a survey with 74 Brazilian entrepreneur respondents and 42 semi-structured interviews with selected subjects, thus representing a multi-method approach. The analysis included descriptive statistics from the survey data and a qualitative analysis of the trajectories and life stories of Brazilian immigrants.
Findings
Our sample comprises respondents with a high level of education and proficiency in English, coming predominantly from the southeast of Brazil, white, aged from 30 to 49. The majority of businesses are small and related to the service sector. The article contributes to the literature by discussing the elements related to mixed embeddedness, including the need for cultural adaptation and for the creation of networks as a crucial element for business venturing.
Research limitations/implications
The study focuses on entrepreneurs regardless of their businesses sector or formality/informality status. It could be used as an instrument to support Canadian public policies for welcoming Brazilians and for the Brazilian government to prevent the evasion of potential entrepreneurs.
Originality/value
The article contributes to the body of knowledge of immigrant entrepreneurship in Canada and of Brazilian entrepreneurship overseas. The results suggest factors that may be relevant to the expansion of their business, such as social networking, cultural embeddedness and adaptation of the products/services to a wider range of target customers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This paper was funded by the Post-doctorate “Brazilian Immigrant Entrepreneurship in Toronto”, held at York U. supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (Process 2018/11276-0); and Call MCTIC/CNPq No. 28/2018 - “Comparative Study of the Immigrant Entrepreneurship of the Brazilian Communities in Portugal and Canada”.
Citation
Falcão, R.P.d.Q., Machado, M.M., Cruz, E.P. and Hossein, C.S. (2021), "Mixed embeddedness of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Toronto", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 27 No. 7, pp. 1724-1750. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2020-0527
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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