A literature review on transnational diaspora entrepreneurship : utilizing a combined approach of traditional and topic modeling

Purpose Thousands of people emigrate from their homeland and start new businesses in other countries. Researchers are increasingly interested in this phenomenon, commonly known as transnational diaspora entrepreneurship. Our paper aims to review this topic by identifying the gaps in existing research and emphasizing the need for further investigation into this growing phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach The study applies both a traditional approach and a more innovative approach using topic modeling in conducting the literature review. While the manual literature review inductively identifies important themes, through topic modeling, the prevailing topics in the research are uncovered. Findings The analysis reveals several main findings. Firstly, diaspora entrepreneurs are categorized based on identifiable differences in their entrepreneurial activities. Secondly, most literature in the area is based on case studies, and there is a need for more quantitative research into this area. Thirdly, although there is no widely agreed-upon definition of transnational diaspora entrepreneurship, some distinct characteristics set it apart from other entrepreneurial activities. Lastly, a few different approaches to transnational diaspora entrepreneurship have been identified and summarized based on the experiences, identities and locations of diaspora entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by employing natural language processing to analyze a corpus of paper abstracts, offering a comprehensive overview of the prevailing themes in the research on diaspora entrepreneurial activity. It also highlights the need for more quantitative research to understand the broader patterns and impacts of this phenomenon. This paper sheds light on the complexities and potential rewards of diaspora entrepreneurial activity, paving the way for further research and understanding in this field.