Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Social Inclusion: Do integration factors really work? Perspectives from Italy,

Abstract This study seeks to explore the phenomenon of immigrant entrepreneurship in Italy, with the main objective to explain the factors that influence the decision of immigrants to become entrepreneurs in the host country. A Structure Literature Review (SLR) in the Italian context is presented followed by a quantitative empirical research, aimed to deepen the understanding of both, the factors and the process. A system of integration indicators was constructed, analyzed and compared to immigrant entrepreneurship phenomenon through a multivariate logarithmic regression model (log-log) estimated by the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique, referred to the secondary data collected on ISTAT official website and Italian Chambers of Commerce. Findings pointed out a weak relationship between the set of immigrant enterprises and institutions, due to the limited resources devoted to integration and social inclusion of immigrants. Therefore, we argue that a well-structured, clear and specific regulatory framework on the integration of immigrants and, in particular, on immigrant entrepreneurship, can positively contributes to create a solid socio-economic environment, both for immigrants and for native-run businesses. Drawing from the state of the art of the immigrant entrepreneurship phenomenon, was pointed out the limited contribution of management and accounting studies in deepening this topic. Considering the development of this phenomenon in the new era of globalization and the growing of recent flows of immigration in all continents, particularly in Europe, we claim for the need to fulfil this gap through further studies. In this regard, this empirical research provide useful insights in pointing out some research path to cultivate in the future.