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Entrepreneurial Motivation of Foreign Born Canadians:Opportunity or Necessity?

Radjabu Mayuto, Fatima Zahra Barrane,

Egide Karuranga, and,

Muhammad Mohiuddin (corresponding author)E-mail: Muhammad.mohiuddin.1@ulaval.ca

Laval University, Quebec, Canada.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify empirically the motivations;we focus on necessity immigrant entrepreneurs residing inCanada. Our main question is: What are the motivations ofimmigrants settled in Canada to become entrepreneurs? Toanswer this question, semi-structured interviews wereconducted with immigrant entrepreneur’s resident in Canadaand from different ethnic groups. The results confirm someof the existing literature on motivations (survival needsof the family with strong ties to the community, personalcharacteristics of the individual, general infrastructureof the host country) and reveal others. The experiencegained by small general work out and travels, the valuestransmitted from generation to generation (education:axiological determinants) and the dream of returning to thecountry to retire with independence and affluence influenceand motivate as well necessity entrepreneurship ofimmigrants in Canada. Limitations and future research arealso discussed.

I. Introduction

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Canada is a modern “multicolor” country (Masurel et al.,2002) and a developed one characterized by an agingpopulation and a low birth rate (OECD, 2007). In such acountry, immigrant entrepreneurs are a primary source ofeconomic revitalization and social renewal (Ndofor and Priem,2011, Sahin, Nijkamp et al. 2011). This topic is of greatimportance in times when socioeconomic integration, self-employment and social mobility are at the core of socialcohesion in diverse societies (Arcand, 2012).

Research on immigrant entrepreneur’s emphasis on two majorcomponents: causes and consequences (Ilhan-Nas et al 2011).Thus, studies focus on a specific ethnic group, on thecomparison of two or more races (Chand and Ghorbani, 2011) oron the behavior of these ethnic groups in a specific hostcountry (Arcand, 2011).

Several theories have been mobilized and even combined(Ilhan-Nas et al. 2011). In particular, the social networktheory, the culture approach, ethnic enclave theory, Resourcebased approach, etc. (Ilhan-Nas et al. 2011). Despite manystudies on this field, more research is needed to betterunderstand this phenomenon (Chrysostome, 2010). Inparticular, to identify immigrants’ motivations to becomeentrepreneurs (Liargovas and Scandalis, 2012). The study ofthe motivations is ever widening. Researchers insist on theneed to conduct further research in order to detect othermotivations on the immigrant entrepreneur (Liargovas andScandalis, 2012; Wood et al., 2012). Since the motivation isthe heart, otherwise the engine of the entrepreneurialactivity, studying the motivations would prepare fosterunderstanding conditions to the mastery and control, theconditions conducive to innovation and creativity (Reeve,2012), brief to the performance.

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In this study, our main question is: What are the Canadianimmigrants’ motivations to become entrepreneurs? To answerthis question, we conducted semi-structured interviews withimmigrant entrepreneurs in Canada. Results confirm some ofthe existing incentives in the literature and identify newones.

This research is structured as follows: we begin with areview of the literature, then, we present the researchproblem. After identifying the conceptual framework andresearch proposals, we exposed the methodology followed byresults, discussion and finally, we conclude bycontributions, limitations and future research.

II. Literature review

1. Immigrant entrepreneur: Definitions and concepts

Immigrant entrepreneurs (IEs) are defined as those who engagein business in the host country (Ilhan-Nas et al. 2011)creating, thus, employment and economic benefits to the hostcountry and even to the country of origin (Ilhan-Nas et al.2011). This entrepreneurial behavior is related to patternsthat differ among individuals (Shinnar et al., 2009).According to Basu (1998) the reasons for the entry intobusiness differ also among groups.

Chrysostome (2010, p. 138) distinguishes two types ofimmigrant entrepreneurs (IEs): IEs by necessity or necessityimmigrant entrepreneurs (NIEs) and IEs by opportunity oropportunity immigrant entrepreneurs (OIEs). NIEs are the traditionaltype of immigrants commonly studied in the literature. Thisgroup chooses business because it has no other choice to

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survive in the host country. While the second is a newemerging category. These are immigrants who freely decide tostart a business in order to take advantage of businessopportunities in host country (Chrysostome, 2010). Thenecessity as an intrinsic reason and opportunity as anextrinsic one act as entrepreneurial motivations (Bosma etal., 2008). "The motivation is important in itself, but it isof more essential by its ability to foreshadow the outcomesof a life which we care about deeply, including the qualityof our performance and well-being" (Reeve, 2012, p.).

Immigrant entrepreneurs operate in a variety of sectors thatoverlap two dominant poles: the enclave market and thedominant market (Ndofor and Priem, 2011). Indeed, the firststrategy means that the immigrant entrepreneur focuses on thevalue chain embedded in his ethnic community while thedominant strategy exploits the consumer market of the hostcountry (Ndofor and Priem, 2011). Thus, IENs are reputed totarget the enclave strategy (Chrysostome, 2010). While IEOsare not necessarily related to the ethnic market, they aim todominant market strategy.

In addition, a large number of theoretical and empiricalstudies (eg Ihan-Nas et al, 2011; Ram et al, 2003) analyzedthe process of immigrant entrepreneurship with severalconceptual frameworks. Thus, the human capital theory (eg,Ramos-Rodriguez, 2012; Zhou and Logan, 1989), the socialcapital theory (eg Chand and Ghorbani, 2011, Mustafa andChen, 2010; Brenner et al, 2010) and the economic capitaltheory (Bourdieu, 1986) are among the principal theoreticalframeworks that have been mobilized. These theories underlieexplanatory factors of motivation.

The human capital theory :

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According to Becker (1964), human capital is embodied in theindividual. It is developed through investments in education(especially formal education), work experience and skillsthat are valued in the market. "Building human capital takes time,effort and personal investment" (Ndofor and Priem, 2011). This canprovide to an entrepreneur a unique advantage: "capacity toapprehend and use relationships among critical factoring in such a way as toaccomplish achieves intended ends" (Reuber, Dyke & Fischer, 1990).

Immigrant entrepreneurs with higher human capital endowmentsare more likely to choose self-employment (Becker, 1993).While, as explained by Ndofor and Priem (2011), those withlower charges in capital may rather see self-employment as away to simply replace the income. In addition, these authorsargue that immigrants’ potential entrepreneurs withrelatively higher human capital are more likely to developsocial and business networks that extend even beyond theirethnic communities.

The social capital theory

Social capital is defined by Nahpiet and Ghoshal (1998, p.243) as "the sum of the actual and potential resourcesembedded within, available through, and derived from thenetwork of relationships possessed by an individual or socialunit".

Thus, the social capital relations can be mobilized togenerate resources and facilitate actions (Adler & Kwon,2002). Social capital is partly due to the goodwill of others(Adler & Kwon, 2002), representing lasting obligations ofgratitude, respect and friendship (Bourdieu, 1986). Goodwillaffects the flow of information, influence and promotesolidarity between individuals (Sandefur & Laumann, 1998).

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The social capital has a large impact on the success of newbusinesses (Shane and Stuart, 2002). The social capitaltheory (Chand and Ghorbani, 2011) or social networking (Johnet al., 2011) or the Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary theory ofkinship (Yang et al., 2011) were respectively used to examineeither ethnic ties and their impact on the performance oradaptive features of ethnic altruism or kin altruism instarting and recruiting practices among Korean immigrantentrepreneurs in USA. Social ties are an important source ofessential resources, including information, employees,customers and venture capital (Sacks, 2002). This suggeststhat immigrant entrepreneurs holding a higher social capitalin ethnic communities are more likely to exploit this capitalby pursuing strategies of the enclave (Ndofor and Priem,2011).

The economic capital theory :

For Bourdieu (1986), the economic capital includes, inaddition to the wealth (capital in the strict sense), income.These are all financial assets and physical assetsconvertible to cash. The term refers not only to whateconomists call general wealth (all material assets owned byan individual, such as a home, jewelry, stocks or bonds,etc..), But the revenues (as they allow a certain standard ofliving and the constitution, or not, of a heritage). That isvaluable for the survival of any business.

Equity financing or debt that can be obtained from externalsources also describes this type of capital (Ndofor andPriem, 2011). Entrepreneurs with high economic capitaltherefore have higher opportunity costs and are more likelyto be higher for their businesses (Chaganti et al., 2008)aspirations of income. As the enclave economies are oftenlimited in size (Sequeira & Rasheed, 2004), companies with

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the greatest potential for income are more likely to be foundoutside the enclaves in the mainstream market. [This suggeststhat immigrant entrepreneurs born locally and with higheconomic capital are more likely to promote dominant marketstrategies (Ndofor and Priem, 2011). This could lead tologically assume that immigrant entrepreneurs born abroad,with low economic capital are more likely to promote theenclave market strategies.

2. The immigrant entrepreneur motivations:

The literature on the motivations of immigrantentrepreneurships is divided into four main categories(Liargovas and Scandalis, 2012):

• Family survival needs: In this case, entrepreneurship allows theimmigrant to get an employment, to increase income, to keephis original profession, to take advantage of resources andskills and also to create jobs for relatives and compatriots.Liargovas and Scandalis (2012) identified four variablesassociated with this category. These are: the financial needsof the family, the creation of employment for the family, thelevel of unemployment, improving the social status of theperson and the family.

• The close ties with the immigrant community: On the one hand, theselinks allow the entrepreneur to have resources that helpadvance his project (labor, low wages, loyal customers )(Liargovas and Scandalis 2012). On the other hand, theimmigrant knows the customs, preferences and needs of itscommunity. So the quality of service will be better.Liargovas and Scandalis (2012) identified four variables inthis category. These are the knowledge needs of the

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immigrant, the existence of several compatriots in the field,the close ties between the compatriots of the community, andthe nic product. Moreover, Ndofor and Priem (2013) show thatsocial identity (degree of close ties with the ethniccommunity) has a positive impact on the adoption of theenclave strategy. According to the same authors, frequentcontact with professionals in the ethnic community leads tothe pursuit of an enclave strategy while contact with thegeneral public leads to a dominant market strategy.

• Personal characteristics of the immigrant entrepreneur: some individualshave values and characters that push towards entrepreneurship(Liargovas and Scandalis, 2012). Liargovas and Scandalis(2012) identified four variables in this category: the desireto be independent, the desire to succeed, the capacity toidentify opportunities and the level of risk acceptance.Moreover, Ndofor and priem (2013) tested the impact of threevariables in the adoption of the enclave strategy. These are:education, managerial experience and entrepreneurialexperience. Their results show that managerial experience isrelated to the adoption of the dominant market whileentrepreneurial experience has a positive impact on theenclave strategy.

• The general infrastructure of the host country: the level of economicand technological development of the country, its policies,its culture and regulations affect the immigrantentrepreneurship. Liargovas and Scandalis (2012) identifiedin this category the level of technological, economic andinstitutional development, the government policies andprograms on immigration. In addition, there are fourcircumstances in which small businesses can switch todominant market strategy (Liargovas and Scandalis, 2012).

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These are: non-served or abandoned markets, marketscharacterized by low economic level, the markets where demandis unstable or uncertain and markets for exotic products(Liargovas and Scandalis, 2012).

In addition, Chrysostome (2010) argues that the IENs stillarouse the interest of researchers. It is a relatively newsubject in the field of business administration (Chrysostome,2010).

Moreover, Liargovas and Scandalis (2012) in their study ofGreek immigrants in Europe, argue that it is necessary toaddress further research to identify other reasons for theimmigrant entrepreneur. The authors also stress theimportance of studying this subject in other countries knownfor immigration in recent years to better understand thisphenomenon.

Moreover, in a psychological perspective, the study of themotivation relates to the process giving the behavior itsenergy (strength) and its direction (goal). The processesthat energize and direct the behavior emanate from the forcesfrom the individual and the environment: the motives and theexternal events. The motives are internal experiences (needs,cognitions and emotions) that stimulate the trends ofapproach and avoidance. External events are environmentalincentives that attract or repel the individual to engage ornot in a sequence of actions (Reeve, 2012, p. 19). It is inthis way that we can understand the distinction for theentrepreneurial motivations between "pull" and "push"factors. ‘Pull’ factors refer to the element of choice and the potentiallypositive outcomes of self-employment, whereas ‘push’ factors are seen asoffering an explanation for those who become self-employed because there are noother perceived options (Shinnar & Young, 2008). Thus, if thenecessity can be seen as a push factor, the opportunity ispart of a logical pull factor (Bosma et al., 2008).

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III Conceptual framework and research proposals

Based on the precedent literature review, the conceptualframework and research proposals are: Proposition 1: Thefamily survival needs motivate the entrepreneurship ofimmigrants by necessity in Canada Proposition 2: The close links with the community motivateentrepreneurship of immigrants by necessity in Canada

Proposition 3: The personal characteristics of the individualmotivate entrepreneurship of immigrants by necessity inCanada

Proposition 4: The general infrastructure of the host countrymotivates the need for immigrant entrepreneurship bynecessity in Canada.

Figure 1: Conceptual framework demonstrating the motivationsof necessity immigrant entrepreneur in Canada

INDIVIDUAL

P4

P3

P2

P1

Family survival needs:

Financial needs of the family

Employment Creation for the family

Level of Unemployment , Improving the social

status of the person and the family.

Personality features or traits of the immigrant entrepreneur 

The desire to be independent,

The desire to succeed, Ability to identify

opportunities The level of risk

Necessity immigrantentrepreneurship

in Canada

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IV Method

The objective of this research is to understand the Canadianimmigrant motivations to become entrepreneurs. We use aqualitative methodology (Patton, 2002) because we based thisresearch on their experiences and lives. Thus, our researchquestions are best tackled in a naturalistic setting and inusing exploratory approaches.

Since in depth or semi-structured interviews are recognizedas a useful way to get information on the processes takingplace in naturalistic settings (Patton, 2002), we opted forthis type of crop to investigate. Thus, an interview guide

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was developed to provide a general guideline of theconversation to focus on important issues.

Data collection combines semi-structured interviews and theobservations recorded in the logbook and documents. Forcomments, follow the mechanics in their work trips, accompanymonitors, managers driving school in their professionalpractice (when they provide the practical course on theroad), supporting agricultural contractors in their contactswith farmers are an example of things to look atparticipating IE.

Twelve participants agreed to participate in research. Theyare all residents of Montreal city known for its cosmopolitancharacter. They are entrepreneurs from different ethnicgroups in Canada for at least 10 years ago.

In addition to the interview and observation, primary and /or secondary data are collected at both respondents as amongprofessional associations, municipalities (relevant archiveson the socio-economic integration of immigrants) and otherspecialized services such as the Registrar of companies inQuebec, the SAAQ, the Joint Committee (auto repair business),Statistics Canada and Statistics Québec, Ministry ofImmigration and Cultural Communities of Quebec, etc..

The interviews are recorded and transcribed to generateverbatims. Using the QDA Miner software, we performed thecoding based on the conceptual framework and the existingliterature, the combination of similarities, the comparisonsubjects and the establishment of categories to make sense tothe information collected. Results are verified by theresearch assistant, two supervisors and are then compared tothe existing literature.

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V. Results

1. Profile of participants

The table below (Table 1) summarizes the demographiccharacteristics of the participants:

Profile Genre

Industry Birthplace

Employees(number)

Age(Yearsof)

MaritalStatus

Education

arrivedinCanadasince( Year)

Inbusiness for

Respondent

IE 1 M Convenience store

Algeria

2 50 married

University

1985 10years

IE 2 M Garage Lebanon

2 à 4 60 married

University

1984 20years

IE 3 F RetailSalePerfumery

Palestine

1(associate)

35 married

Collégial

1986 10years

IE 4 F Multi-service

Ghana 4 40 married

University

1991 20years

IE 5 M Convenience store

Haiti 3 60 married

University

1972 25years

IE 6 M Grocerystore

Ghana 7 53 married

HighSchool

1986 18years

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IE 7* M DrivingSchool

Tunisia

7 38 married

College 2002 13years

IE 8* M DrivingSchool

Tunisia

6 38 married

College 2002 13years

IE 9 M FarmContractor

India 20minimum

58 married

HighSchool

1990 15years

IE 10 M FarmContractor

India 25minimum

35 married

HighSchool

1995 12years

IE 11 M FarmContractor

India 15minimum

45 married

HighSchool

1990 12years

IE 12 M Clothingandfootwear

Lebanon

2 50 married

College 1995 16years

IE 13 M Footwear Italy 3 68 married

College 1976 48years

* IE 7 et IE 8 : this is one immigrant entrepreneur who created twosuccessive driving schools, one in the enclave market, the otherin the mainstream market.

M: male, F: female

Table 1: demographic characteristics of the participants

Note that participants are from different ethnic backgrounds.They all have immigrated from developing countries to Canadaas developed country. They are between 11-41 years ofbusiness in Canada. They are all married. Ten of the twelveparticipants are men. They work in different industries.

2. Verification of research proposals

Proposition 1: The family survival needs motivate the entrepreneurship ofcanadian immigrants by necessity.

All stakeholders agree that the family survival needs is amajor motivation to undertake its own trading business.

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Indeed, sub-categories determined by Liargovas and Scandalis(2012) were also present for the immigrant entrepreneur inthe Canadian context. Including:

• The financial needs of the individual and / or family: Inthe absence of a well-paid and stable employment, immigrantis forced to work odd jobs with long working hours and aminimum wage. It is not sufficient to ensure the financialneeds of the person, let alone a family. Participant IE2:"We worked in a restaurant, general work all the time with minimum wages. It isvery tiring with a family of four children to pay the rent and electricity. It was veryvery tiring." As the participant IE1:" I had to survive while studying too...". Hence, the immigrant is motivated to make effort in ajob that allows him to earn enough and improve the socialstatus of the person and his family. The Participant IE10:"What matters is winning enough."

• Creation of employment for the family of immigrantentrepreneurship. This allows deriving maximum benefit andthus reducing the level of unemployment. Participant IE2: "Allthe garage has become to me. I hired my brothers with me. "As for IE5Participant:" I take a salary in, my wife and son. All three work for themarket." Hence, Proposition 1 is accepted.

Proposition 2: The close links with the community motivate entrepreneurship ofcanadian immigrant by necessity.

All stakeholders support that relationships with thecommunity motivate immigrant entrepreneurship. These linksare a source of knowledge, support and mutual assistancebetween members. Thus, sub-categories and Liargovas Scandalis(2012) have been verified:

• Knowledge of the needs of immigrant: In this part of study,knowledge of the needs of the immigrant comes down especially

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in the supply of certain commodities in cultural or religiousvalue. As stated by the participant IE6: "I looked at what I coulddo for the African community. Get the products they consume close to home. "

• The existence of several compatriots in the field: to havecompatriots in the field encourages the immigrantentrepreneur to pursue the same path. This allows them tolearn about the area, recommendations and enjoy theexperience of those that preceded it. The participant IE10argued: "Without knowledge, this is complicated ... Already just to have staffmust go first people who know you and they can provide you with some peoplefrom their networks ... Sure with people of the same culture that goes betterbecause of the language and mentalities that are identical. "As theparticipant IE8:" So, the people in my community are open to me, I listenedto their advice, their experiences, their stories of success and failure. This is theiron of my spear." However, IE11 participant stressed in thesewords on the importance of filtering the information obtainedto be more successful: "I go people who do the same type of work as me.However, it should have filters to see all that sort says. "

• The close links with the immigrant community is amotivation for the immigrant entrepreneur. These links allowthe immigrant entrepreneur to find the moral and financialsupport to start a business. These links relate compatriotsfrom the same country. In this sense, the IE2 participantstated: "There was no money. How do I buy a garage 20,000-30,000 [$], Italked to a friend. He said ok! We will just buy a garage me and you. "As theparticipant IE12:" This is an individual who gave me the necessaryadditional breath ... We are quite supportive, I must confess that I'm lucky. Thisfellow then trust me. .. It is very rare for the level of investment and given the levelof knowledge of departure we had both." Maintaining close ties withcompatriots for IE6 is a key factor in the success of hisbusiness. Participant IE6: "For me, there is no success if I did notinterview a good relationship with the community. It is she who supports me ascustomers, ideas, tips, etc.. The turnover and profit thanks to the community if I

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never know ahead." As for Participant IE9: "For me, there is nosuccess if I do not have a good relationship with the community. This is whatguarantees my earnings, my workhorse. "

Furthermore, participation in special events in the communitycan promote their business and gain the trust of fellow. Theparticipant IE4: "we support all social activities (weddings, births, deaths),we start the activities of the community and we share with them. .. ".Participant IE10: "I participated in several festivities, religious or folk,including various family events. These are places where they tell a lot of things andcan go where good ideas. Even critics are carriers of change in what we do."However, participant IE10 calls for vigilance in theserelationships forever trustworthy fellow. Participant IE10:"But we must also remain vigilant as to a mistake, you can lose everything in onenight. The people here are able to detach in block." On the other hand, in addition to links with compatriotsmentioned by Liargovas and Scandalis (2012), our results showthat these relationships also involve community members fromsimilar social systems. On the one hand, these links arebuilt from the fact that we all have the same immigrationstatus and causes of departure from the host country arerelatively similar. Offering for example, cheaper and qualityservices, a sense of mutual support between communities isgenerated. Participant IE2 "Haitians, it's poor people like us looking fora cheap garage. I gave a good price, good work and respect" ParticipantIE6: " I target all African communities, I target West Africa, Central Africa,Africa East and even North Africa." Participant IE8: " We made directfunding to the person who sells ... the person sells for $ 220,000 was given $80,000 cash and the rest is an agreement between us. This is an Algerianimmigrant, I know the person is not even signed the papers, it's words. We trust»

On the other hand, links with other communities is a supportand safety in case of conflict with compatriots. ParticipantIE10: "People back home are able to detach block. The next day you find

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yourself without staff. So prudence people from other origins were adopted. Andthen the mixture is advantageous, we removed all positive things. "

• Nic product. In this study, the nic product is especiallyfor specific food products in the country of origin. Asreported by the participant IE5: "I have tropical products, ie d. exoticproducts. For people of black origin, African, the Caribbean but I have productsfor Canadian too. “Hence, the proposal number 2 is accepted.

Proposition 3: the personal characteristics of the individual motivateentrepreneurship of canadian immigrants by necessity.

Compared to personal characteristics and confirmed byLiargovas Scandalis (2012), the participant IE5 showed he hadinitially desire to be independent. Participant IE5: "I admitthat I was aiming already working on my own for a long time.". Also, thelevel of risk acceptance proves valid for participant IE8:"When I say I want this, I have to do and when I do, it's over, no matter whathappens or what you going to do afterwards, it's over! ". Also, theability to identify opportunities has been demonstrated inthe participant IE2, "the neighbor here also wants to buy ... everyone ...Too late. I purchased."

In addition, through discourse analysis, we identified someother personal characteristics that motivate immigrants tobegin his own business.

• The sense of resourcefulness. Participant IE6: "Yesresourcefulness and perseverance." As the participant IE7: "But inAfrica to survive, it is sewing, food, hunting, fishing we do, we do it all at the sametime to survive. For me it's quite normal to get by."

• The sacrifice. This is renunciation, deprivation theimmigrant entrepreneur is required voluntarily or is forcedto undergo either a good or a higher interest or love for

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self and family. The following excerpts introduce thisconcept in these terms. Participant IE4: "Many sacrifices, workinglonger hours to make your business succeed." Participant IE8: "You haveto sacrifice. It is very important. "

• Be getter: This is showing a willingness to work hard withmany hours of work to go forward resolutely. Participant IE8:"but every day, 12 hours and 24 hours on working Saturdays. It's not everyonewho can do this.".

• Have the ease of contact with people. As recognized by theparticipant IE10: "I am a person who easily speaks with the world, so Iweave good human relations."

• Patience: is to endure with constancy and resignationentrepreneurial vicissitudes, under stated as follows by theIE2 participant: "Be patient, wait 3 months, 4 months, 5 months beforecustomers rely on."

• Age: The commenter states that IE8 age of immigrants is animportant factor in its entrepreneurship "The more we advance inage, the more we feel the need to earn a living. Participant IE8: "I actuallyfound age, it's important."

• Marital status: Being married with children increases thelevel of responsibility. IE2 participant: "I am responsible for afamily, I'm not back there as a youth, I finished my second example, I'm 18 and Ihave to do no matter how [...] If the immigrant is engaged with the family, [...].There was no choice; we must work hard to feed them and everything. "

• The level of education: we noted that four participantshave studied in the university, and the other eight havestudied on secondary and college. The level of education

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could be an obstacle to finding employment. Even being at theuniversity, the problem arises in the recognition andequivalence of diplomas, forcing immigrants to go back toschool, studying the language. This creates additional effortand costs that may discourage immigrant midterm. Hence, theproposal 3 is accepted.

Proposition 4: the general infrastructure of the host country motivates theentrepreneurship of canadian immigrant by necessity.

Concerning the infrastructure of host country, ParticipantIE2 believes that organization system in Canada help to startthe business. IE2: "Taxes are not a problem. If you control well, you have agood accountant, he controls well, you will not have problems in your business."

However, some participants (IE9, IE10, and IE11) see programssuch as credit and regulatory obstacles to start smallbusinesses. For participant IE10: "avoid possible credits, otherwise itis difficult to pay all the interest at the rate rise." As the participant IE11:"credit is dangerous for business. The banking system here illuminates the path ofbankruptcy. ". The participant IE9: "the government killingshopkeepers, we breathe less"

Furthermore, observing the sectors of participants, we notethat these are markets with uncertain demand (Driving school,seasonal agricultural contractor, selling) or exotic goods(Grocery). The participant IE2 is involved in the mechanicswhere the market is poorly served in Canada. Hence, theproposal 4 is accepted partially.

Apart from these reasons, we have identified otherdeterminants:

Experience• The experience of small general work out: Looking at the

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industry of each immigrant entrepreneurs (Table 1), we notethat the work in these areas requires long hours and frequentcontact with customers. Therefore, working in small jobs, youget used to working long hours and in some cases, contactingpeople quite frequently. Participant IE2: "I finished school at 4:00,I return to work in a restaurant, I work until the evening, the next morning I wakeup at 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 at the school. All my brothers and sisters tell me that youdo not sleep, you work all the time, it's tiring.". As for Participant IE6:"No time! I should work hard! 2 jobs. Day and night to raise money. "

It results that for the same quality of work, the immigrantperceives that he can work on his own account instead ofdoing for someone else with a minimum wage. Small work outcan also learn about the needs of the market, how doattitudes, regulations, etc.. IE3 for participating: "I workedin several places, several studies (Diamond, restaurant, perfumes) ... It isimportant to work in society to understand what people here agree."

• Rubbing relatives doing business: Note that some playersgot together with close family in the trade by observing orassisting. Participant IE1: "My father had stores ... I was hisaccountant in Algeria. .. I trade in the blood." As the participant IE8:"As the school was my sister, I was working evenings and weekends." Whileparticipant IE11 said: "I have been trading in India, and then with myfather in his business trips to Pakistan, Indonesia and Africa. The little that I gotthe trade, I owe it to my father."

• The experiences in the past (supervision, travel, etc.). Inaddition to the importance of supervisory experience, havethe opportunity to travel and work in many countriesgenerates, in our view, ease of contact with people, a senseof resourcefulness and sacrifice that are important to startin entrepreneurship. Participant IE9 says: "I have supervised myvarious travels and experiences gathered over there made me a persevering and

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tenacious man." As the participant IE11: "I accompanied my father onhis business trips".

Education

The values passed down from generation to generation alsoinfluence we believe the choice of immigrantentrepreneurship. The participant IE9 evidenced here: "I alsothink the education received from my parents and my culture are to a largeextent."These values include:

• The emphasis on the family in the education of the person:Participants IE2, E3, IE5, IE7, IE8 mention the importance ofthe family and its support in the lives of IE. This is animportant cultural variable, especially in countries with acollectivist system. The family is a major element in thelife of the person for his moral and financial support. Theparticipant IE3: "When you fail, you support the family. If you're sick, oryou need money, the family supports you. I think the family is a basic support.".For IE5 Participant: "The family is the first place for me." ParticipantIE9: "My wife helps me and my children. I am very grateful for theirparticipation. Their contributions and media encourage me to move forward.".Participant IE2: "I borrowed money from my sister ....". WhileParticipant IE8: "My sister told me that she wants to sell his driving school.It is to me that she proposed." Moreover, not only on account oftheir support, but also to help you think and well-being.Participant IE2: "In addition, I have four sisters in my country, they havekids to college ... They need help. So I push my children, I encourage them to dothe same thing that I do to my family.". He continues: "When the village issaid that IE2 is well with his family, he was very helpful, he gave jobs ... especiallywhen talking with my parents. My parents are happy."

• Be responsible for their children even into adulthood.

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In some cultures, the financial needs of the family are notlimited to the needs of the minor children. Parents areresponsible for their children even into adulthood, untilthey ensure their stability and complete financialindependence. This responsibility usually rests on the backof the father. Moreover, we have 10 of the 12 players who aremen. Participant IE2 announcement: "My children in their studies, theyare happy at school. They have never worked my children, until now. My son is 24years old, it has never worked, my daughter too. It is the pharmacy. That is theprestige I want me."

The business value in a culture:

In some cultures, To do business have a high value. For themit is a sign of wealth and development of the person.Participant IE10: "Understand that the business has all its fullness in mycountry. We fight for trade to earn money to raise its standard of living and that ofthe family if possible ... Already tiny, I thought I should do this activity to live welland help my family." As the participant IE1:" I trade in the blood. "

The dream of returning to their home country to retire withindependence and affluence.Some participants IE8, IE10, IE11 are concerned to return tocountry of origin one day especially at the age ofretirement. To do this, they want to earn enough money toensure independence and affluence in the future. ParticipantIE4: "We know that one day [...] we do not really want to grow old here [...] weplan to return one day to our country." As the participant IE8:" Toachieve a goal and return to my country of origin, must make sacrifices and reachthe goal. "While participant IE11: "I came to Canada to make a livingand go home for the rest of my life [...] with sufficient resources to help the familytoo."

VI. Discussion:

24

It goes without saying that the proposals discussed in thisstudy can be categorized in three areas mentioned at thebeginning of capital: social capital, human capital andeconomic capital.

Indeed, social capital includes the family survival needs,the close relationship with the community (Proposeddeparture). Our results show that these close ties go beyondthe direct community. They also relate to the communitiesfrom similar social systems. Moreover, Legros et al. (2013)show that social capital is the most important determinant inthe performance of immigrant entrepreneurship. Indeed, itallows the immigrant to access a labor ethnic work thatsupports the beginning of his business in case of lack offinancial resources, access to information, capital, ethnicsuppliers to associations ... etc. (Legros et al 2013. Adler& Kwon, 2002).

 Then the second component of human capital. This includesall the skills, work experience, knowledge, age, gender,education and managerial experience (Legros et al. 2013).Personal characteristics are divided into two categoriesrelated to the individual and culture (Legros et al. 2013).Indeed, in addition to personal characteristics identified byLiargovas and Scandalis (2012), we added other featuresrelated to the individual which are: strong ability ofresourcefulness, hard work, patience, ability to communicatewith people.

Our results also show that experience plays a crucial role inthe immigrant entrepreneurship. Indeed, Ndofor and Priem(2011) discussed the importance of this variable for theimmigrant entrepreneurship. The authors distinguish betweenentrepreneurial experience and managerial experience in the

25

choice of the enclave strategy or that of the dominantmarket. Also, Xiaohong Quan (2012) shows that the nature ofthe experience acquired in the work of an individual reflecthis level of knowledge and contributes to entrepreneurship.As an example: position management, professional technical,administrative, etc.. Thus, our results show that moresupervisory experience, the experiences of the general work,for travel, or even as an observer relative who has beentrading as a source of motivation for the immigrantentrepreneur. In addition, age, gender and marital status aremotivators for the immigrant entrepreneur.

The level of education also influences the choice ofentrepreneurship for immigrants. A low level of education orequivalence that require redo some courses encourageimmigrants to begin his own business.

In relation to cultural, education of immigrant roots certainvalues that push immigrant out of his comfort zone and takerisks to achieve his goal. In particular, the emphasis on thefamily to provide support and at the same time receive it.Also, the degree of responsibility to see that our childreneven beyond adulthood to ensure all financial needs and tohelp build their futures. This is supported by the work ofBagwell (2008), which focuses on the family as importantsocial capital for immigrant entrepreneur.

Finally, the perceived trade business in some countries as asign of wealth and development of the individual value. Canbe classified in this category axiological determinantsidentified by Legros et al. (2013).

26

Moreover, Legros et al. (2013) show that age, gender,ethnicity, education and experience are a sign of performanceof immigrant entrepreneurship

Compared to the economic capital, we include the generalinfrastructure of the host country. Indeed, the majority ofparticipants argue that Canada's credit systems aredisadvantageous for the immigrant entrepreneur and thegovernment does not help the small traders. A finding thatcould be verified in the future with further research. Also,the capital of departure that the majority of participantshave accumulated out of the family, friends and personalsavings. Certainly, more capital, the lower the immigrantentrepreneur tends to move towards a strategy enclave or staythere (Ndofor and Priem, 2011).

Finally, the dream of returning to their home country at theage of retirement, with independence and affluence, is anadditional motivation for the immigrant to undertake his ownbusiness. This is one of the predefined objectives byimmigrant character more emotional and social identity andattachment to origins.Hence the new framework would be :

27

Figure 2: New Framework of immigrant entrepreneur motivationsin Canada

The relativity of motivation in the process ofentrepreneurial immigrants leads to other considerations.Apart from the correspondence in various forms of capital,motivations demonstrated in this study can also be alignedaccording to the types of patterns. Because the requirementsare conditions within the individual, essential and necessaryto sustain life and nourish the growth and well-being (Reeve,2012), we placed the survival needs of the family in thiscategory motivation which includes biological, psychological

28

and social needs. Cognitions refer to mental events, such asbeliefs, expectations and self-concept (Reeve, 2012;Mohiuddin et al., 2013; Mohiuddin et al., 2014), which is whywe casons personal characteristics and education. Emotionsare a physiological phenomenon subjective short, functionaland who orchestrates the appropriate way we react toimportant events in our lives (Reeve, 2012), we believe thatcertain personal characteristics (such as the level ofacceptance of risk, sacrifice, patience, the ability tocommunicate with people) and return home to retire into thiscategory of motivation. For external events, Reeve (2012)describes them as incentives to the environment that have theability to stimulate and direct behavior (includingentrepreneurial), so the general infrastructure of the hostas well as the close ties of the country immigrant communitywith its suit this group of motivations (specificenvironmental stimuli). In addition, at a broader level,external events include sociological forces such as culture(Reeve, 2012). We summarize these points in the table below(Table 2)

Motives Matching capital

Operatingmode

internalexternal

Human

Social

Economic

Push

Pull

Need

Emotion

Cognition

1. Familysurvival needs x x x

2. Close ties withcommunity x x x x

3. Personalcharacteristics x x x x

4. Host countryinfrastructure x x x

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5.Experience

x x x x

6.Education

x x x

7. Return home toretire x x x

Table 2 : Multi-perspective classification of immigrantentrepreneur motivations in Canada

Overall, the orchestration of these four aspects of patternsin a consistent pattern that organizes the strength and thepurpose of entrepreneurial behavior, mobile reported by IEand analyzed correspond to a particular form of capital(human, social, economic). At the same time, they play a roleeither withdrawing or pusher of immigrant entrepreneurship.The third panel of Table 2 decrypts the type of each.Interviewees seem IE experiment more with "push" factors intheir decision to start a business. This corroboratesprevious opinions in the literature on the "push" perspectiveoften considered very relevant for immigrants (Chrysostome,2010; Shinnar & Young, 2008). Some mobile operatingsimultaneously in both push and pull modes (close links withcommunity and Homecoming retired). Entrepreneurial motivationin the immigrant entrepreneur is multidimensional and multi-perspective.

VII Contributions, limitations and research perspectives

Liargovas and Scandalis (2012) argue that it is necessary toaddress further research to identify other reasons for theimmigrant entrepreneur. The authors also stress theimportance of studying this subject in other countries knownfor immigration in recent years to better understand thisphenomenon. This study is a response to this call for

30

research. Indeed, for immigrant entrepreneurs in Canada,which we confirmed the motivations addressed by theseauthors. In addition, we identified other causes in theCanadian context. However, this study questions the tendencyof writings affiliating/ combining the immigrantentrepreneurs only to/with the family of "push" factors (ex.Constant, A. and Y. Shachmurove, 2006). As the motivationsare of two types of factors, they suggest by this fact thatthe entrepreneurship of the immigrant is led (eitherimplicitly or explicitly) by all of these factors. (ex.Shinnar, R. S. and C. A. Young, 2008).. Initially,successively or concomitantly, together these motives justifythe intention or the action to create a business.

The limitations of this research are summarized in the numberof participants that is relatively small (12 participants).Also, industries are limited. This is an exploratory studythat we cannot generalize.

For future research, it would be appropriate to recruit otherparticipants with a representative number of each ethnicgroup to better distinguish the behaviors and motivationsrelated to the characteristics of each ethnic group. Inaddition, all participants in this study belong to developingcountries. It would be useful to compare them with those fromdeveloped countries or individualist versus collectivistsystems. It is also appropriate to initiate further researchto better understand the importance of the generalinfrastructure of the country of immigrant entrepreneurship.In addition, with respect to sectors, would also be relevantto compare the motivations regarding the industry chosen byimmigrants to their necessity entrepreneurship.

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Conclusion

In Canada, the immigrant entrepreneur is a source of economicrevitalization and social renewal. It creates economicbenefits in the host country and also in his native country.Despite the many studies on this area, research is underwayto better understand the motivations of these immigrants toundertake their own business (Liargovas Scandalis, 2012;Chrysostome, 2010)

In this research, our main objective is to identify somereasons for the immigrant entrepreneur based in Canada. Theresults showed that the survival needs of the family, closeties with the community and those of similar social systems,personal characteristics, the general infrastructure of thecountry, experience, education and attention to return hometo retirement, are incentives for entrepreneurship ofimmigrants in Canada.

We have analyzed and discussed the motivations as reported ina triple prism (psychological, capitalist, procedural orstrategic). Moreover, this study challenges the unilateralassignment of immigrant entrepreneurs for solely "push"motivation and instead suggests a bilateral pull-pushassignment with the predominant "push" impact.

These perspectives help to deepen the understanding of thephenomenon through more piercing lenses. Practitioners andpoliticians can refer to in order to develop practicalstrategies. Since entrepreneurial motivation in the immigrantentrepreneur is multidimensional and multi-perspective,scientists can bind new relevant studies on entrepreneurshipimmigrant entrepreneur.

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INDIVIDUAL

Family survival needs:

Financial needs of the family

Employment Creation for the family

Level of Unemployment , Improving the social

status of the person and

Necessity immigrantentrepreneurship

in Canada

Immigrants’ close ties withthe community (immigrant community ties)

Knowledge of the needs ofimmigrant

The existence of several compatriots in the field,

Close links with fellow community

Close links with

ENVIRONMENT

Individual characteristics of the immigrant entrepreneur 

The desire to be independent, The desire to succeed, Ability to identify

opportunities The level of risk acceptance Managerial versus

entrepreneurial experience Age and marital status Sacrifice, patience, hard

Market infrastructure and Host country general conditions

Economic development Culture

Presence of certain underserved markets

Education

The family spirit The level of

responsibility granted to the family

The perceived value of

Experience

Experience of small general work in the hostcountry

Past experience about travel and supervision

Rubbing shoulders with The return to the homecountry at the age of

retirement withindependence and financial

ease.

Legend: