Great Expectations: A Regional Study of Entrepreneurship Among Romanian Return Migrants

Abstract

This article examines the main determinants for entrepreneurial activities among return migrants in a regional context within Romania. The analytical framework is based on conceptual tools provided by the intersection of entrepreneurship theory and return migration research. The study aimed to answer a set of research questions regarding migrant individuals’ probability for entrepreneurial careers upon return, and Romania constitutes a fertile European origin country for testing them. Returnees are perceived as one of the main transformational forces within the country, and great expectations are related to their entrepreneurial orientation. We test this general assumption using survey data collected from 840 returnees and several logistic regression models which included variables about employment status before the individuals’ first migration, country of destination, length of stay abroad, return reasons, use of savings, and sociodemographics. Individuals’ characteristics as well as features of the migration experiences were found to be highly relevant for predicting the chances of migrants entering into entrepreneurship upon return.