TRSM Research Seminar by Yu Wei Ye

Title: Between Two Shores: Export Strategies and Financial Performance of Canada’s 1.5-Generation Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Description: Among most of the research on immigrant entrepreneurship, there is little attention on a specific cohort, 1.5-generation immigrants, those who spent at least some of their formative socialization in their country of origin (COO) and then landed in their country of residence (COR) before 18 years old. Do they still want to export to their COO? How does exporting to the COO influence their firms’ financial performance? What factors may moderate their decision and financial performance to export to the COO?

Using microdata, my study will contribute new evidence and nuanced insights to the literature on the immigration-export link. Besides, the research will also have implications for immigrant entrepreneurs and policymakers. By understanding the critical factors affecting COO export decisions, 1.5-generation immigrant entrepreneurs could better position themselves to benefit from their hybrid identities; Policymakers could design targeted export promotion programs to maximize the benefits immigrants bring.

Bio: Yu Wei Ye is a PhD Candidate in the area of Interdisciplinary  Specialization: Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. Yu Wei has a solid academic background in Economics. She completed her Master of Arts in Economics at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2021. She also holds a Bachelor of Economics (2001) and a Master of Economics (2006) from China. Her research interests embrace but are not limited to the area of the innovation strategy of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the global background. She also shows great interest in immigrant entrepreneurship and women entrepreneurship. Before pursuing her Ph.D., Yu Wei accumulated substantial industry and management experience in the financial industry, with a deep global mindset and a strong ability to handle stakeholder-related issues.