 Does migrant entrepreneurship impact economic development in host and home countries? A systematic literature reviewLukman Raimi and Mahmoud Ahmad Mahmoud Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, 2025, vol. 19, issue 5, 1391-1421 Abstract: PurposeViews on migrant entrepreneurship are mixed and require further research. This study aims to examine the impact of migrant entrepreneurship on economic development in both the host and home countries. Specifically, the study examines the significant contributions of entrepreneurs with a migrant background to job creation, innovation and economic dynamism, which are measurable outcomes of economic development.Design/methodology/approachGuided by the qualitative research method, a systematic literature review was carried out according to the PRISMA protocol. The study analysed and synthesised findings from 41 high-quality, Scopus-indexed articles published between 2000 and 2024, offering a robust basis for the study’s conclusions.FindingsFour key findings emerged. Firstly, migrant entrepreneurs significantly contribute to job creation, innovation and economic growth in host countries, making them key drivers of economic dynamism. Secondly, public and private sector initiatives, including financial support and favourable policies, are crucial for fostering migrant entrepreneurship. Thirdly, migrant entrepreneurs often engage in sustainable and social entrepreneurship, contributing to green and inclusive growth. Lastly, nationalities such as Indian, Chinese and Turkish migrants are particularly active in entrepreneurial activities across diverse regions, including the USA, UK, Australia and the Gulf States. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of tailored immigration programmes, incentives and inclusive environments to promote migrant entrepreneurship and advance economic development.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on synthesising existing research and does not provide empirical testing or regional specificity. While the findings are relevant globally, they are derived from a limited number of quality studies, which may constrain generalisability.Practical implicationsThe findings demonstrate actionable insights for policymakers, researchers and practitioners. Recommendations include introducing targeted migration programmes, providing financial incentives and promoting inclusive environments to increase the contributions of migrant entrepreneurs. This study also provides theoretical guidance for future research, bridging the fields of entrepreneurship, immigration and development studies.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, this research provides nuanced insights into how the phenomenon of migrant entrepreneurship impacts economic development, offering a fresh perspective on its policy implications and highlighting the role of targeted interventions for fostering inclusive growth. Leveraging hybrid integrated theories from nine theories, this study synthesises insights from high-quality articles to explain the nexus of migrant entrepreneurship and economic development. Keywords: Migrant entrepreneurship; Host and home countries; Economic development; Systematic literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers) Downloads: (external link) Related works: Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:jecpps:jec-11-2024-0245 Access Statistics for this article Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy is currently edited by Prof Leo Dana and Andrea Caputo More articles in Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy from Emerald Group Publishing Limited |
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