An approach to the Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurship in London and Barcelona

This paper is based on the research “Transnational economic practices of Latin American migrants in Barcelona and London”, conducted by the Group of Immigration Studies and Ethnic Minorities (GEDIME – at the Autonomous University of Barcelona). The paper analyzes the conditions and processes that explain the organization, structure and operation of transnational economic enterprises and transnational economic practices carry out by Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurs living in Barcelona and London. Based on the case of Brazil, our proposed typology of Brazilian immigrant enterprises confirms the absolutely necessity of keeping transnational relations both for Brazil and its migrant-citizens.

This presentation analyzes the transnational economic practices that link Brazilian settlements in Barcelona/London with Brazil. At the same time that it considers the relationship between economic transnationalism and immigrant settlement. Four processes are examined, including: (1) the theoretical and methodological framework; (2) styles and patterns of entrepreneurship; (3) the typology of the transnational enterprises; (4) the impact and importance of the Brazilian immigrant enterprises and their role in (re) constructing the social visibility of the Brazilian collective both in Barcelona and in London.