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Academic Abstract:
This exploratory case study on small-business owners in Florida, analyzes a Brazilian entrepreneurial community settled in Pompano Beach, the second largest Brazilian community in the U.S., and apparently typical ethnic enclave. The paper's relevance relates to the current debate on immigration and to the collective understanding of the entrepreneurial aspects of these immigrants. Moreover, it contributes to entrepreneurship education with its insights about entrepreneur behavior and strategic choices among that specific group. This phenomenon has opened many study possibilities related to Brazilian nationals venturing overseas, such as its impact on the local communities regarding labor relations, economic mobility and transnationalism.
Keywords: immigrant entrepreneurship; ethnic enclave; transnational entrepreneurship; Brazilian immigrants; Florida
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
Executive Summary:
Synopsis: The paper presents an exploratory single case study on Brazilian small-business owners in Florida, analyzing and describing the profile of 40 entrepreneurs settled in Pompano Beach - a typical ethnic enclave. The relevance of the paper relates to the current debate on immigration and growing importance of Brazilian immigrants to the U.S.
Methodology: the researchers used the 'snow ball' technique to reach typical Brazilian entrepreneurs. The 40 in-depth interviews were triangulated with quantitative data collected in order to collect evidences about certain characteristics of that community. In addition, other sources of secondary information, e.g. newspaper articles and community web sites were consulted.
Findings: Pompano appears to be a typical Brazilian ethnic enclave. Nevertheless, the authors point out that alternative financial mechanisms and the bounded trust are not present in that community. The interviews revealed entrepreneurs' growing skills level over the years, a reduction of business opening time, and a divergence between their current and previous activities in Brazil. However, all entrepreneurs demonstrated lack of knowledge on laws and local taxes before opening their businesses.
Implications for theory & So What: the research on different entrepreneurial ethnicities should help to develop a general immigrant entrepreneurship model. Bibliometric review revealed that in the US, studies are concentrated on Hispanics and Asian communities.
Implications for practice: the paper contributes to entrepreneurship education with its insights about entrepreneur behaviors and strategic choices. In practical terms, the description of this important Brazilian enclave in Florida could enlighten the impact on local communities regarding labor relations, economic mobility and...
