Transnational migrant entrepreneurs: understanding their dependencies, fragilities, and alternatives

Figures & data

Figure 1. Analytical framework.

Table 1. Characteristics of research participants.

	Colombia n = 30	Spain n = 22	Switzerland n = 34	Total n = 86
Gender
Female	25	8	23	56
Male	5	14	11	30
Age
20–29	2	6	7	15
30–39	10	5	10	25
40–49	13	6	12	31
>50	5	5	5	15
Childcare responsibilities
Children	29	8	17	54
No children	1	14	17	32
Highest educational level
Primary school	20	2		22
High school / college / vocational training	10	8	5	23
Bachelor’s degree		2	8	10
Master’s degree		10	18	28
PhD			3	3
Region of birth
Europe		7	14	21
Middle East & Asia		3	9	12
Americas	30	7	8	45
Africa		4	3	7
Oceania		1		1
Reason for migration
Work	1	11	8	20
Study		4	2	6
Family		4	16	20
Safety	29*	1	7	37
Lifestyle		2	1	3
Years in current country of residence
0–5	30	7	8	45
6–10		2	16	18
11–20		7	5	12
>20		6	5	11
Main business sector
Handicrafts/ Textiles/ Design	8	6	17	31
Community building/Education	4	2	5	11
Consulting		3	3	6
Technology		5	4	9
Food / Gastronomy	10	4	3	17
Others	8	2	2	12
Years of entrepreneurial activity
0–2		6	17	23
3–5	30	7	9	46
>5		9	8	17

* For most participants in the Colombian case study, the need for work is closely interlinked with the need for protection. In general, many interviewees migrated for multiple reasons. Here we state only the most relevant ones.