The role of knowledge in the immigrant entrepreneurial process

Abstract

This work analyses entrepreneurship process in the immigration context from a new perspective: the knowledge-based view. The central axis addresses the construction and explanation of a model that includes immigrants’ knowledge sources and geographical origin as well as their relationship with the generation of sustainable competitive advantages. As possible geographical contexts for immigrants’ knowledge, this study focuses on the country of origin, the host country, and the migration process, including transit countries. Regarding knowledge sources, various ways are explored: formal education and other codified sources, experience, networks, and institutions. This article provides a valuable and unique discussion of a new model in order to understand immigrant entrepreneurship process using a new perspective.