Premium
Diasporas and Domestic Entrepreneurs: Evidence from the Indian Software Industry
Author(s) -
Nanda Ramana,
Khanna Tarun
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of economics and management strategy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1530-9134
pISSN - 1058-6407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-9134.2010.00275.x
Subject(s) - expatriate , diaspora , interpersonal ties , business , imperfect , developing country , entrepreneurship , economic geography , economic growth , political science , economics , finance , sociology , social science , linguistics , philosophy , law
This study explores the importance of cross‐border social networks for entrepreneurs in developing countries by examining ties between the Indian expatriate community and local entrepreneurs in India's software industry. We find that local entrepreneurs who have previously lived outside India rely significantly more on diaspora networks for business leads and financing. This is especially true for entrepreneurs who are based outside software hubs—where getting leads to new businesses and accessing finance is more difficult. Our results provide micro‐evidence consistent with a view that cross‐border social networks play an important role in helping entrepreneurs to circumvent the barriers arising from imperfect domestic institutions in developing countries.