Immigrant-owned small businesses' participation in diaspora philanthropy: a case study during the COVID-19 outbreak

Purpose The concept of diaspora philanthropy contains the following two components: diasporas, who are individuals live outside their homelands but maintain a sense identity with home countries, and charitable giving provided by these diasporas to causes related hometowns. Often happens through intermediary organizations such as hometown associations, internet-based philanthropic platforms faith-based groups. Little research explores immigrant-owned small businesses for philanthropy. In literature social entrepreneurship, theory opportunity recognition provides insights on how do identify opportunities fulfilling missions. However, it is uncertain whether this major can be applied specific context businesses. research, I aim understand businesses' participation in entrepreneurship philanthropy, especially responding natural disasters. Specifically, three questions were proposed: What role play? mechanisms they use partake philanthropy? Moreover, what motivates them participate? Design/methodology/approach This uses an in-depth case study that focuses behavior disaster diaspora's hometown. subject work business owned immigrant New York City, US. To collect data case, author utilized mixed-methods design, which involves types qualitative data: document analysis interview. Giving purpose study, used thematic coding both newspaper article interview deductive approach. Findings result shows have inherent advantage building close interpersonal relationships customers serve connector between larger organizations. Because limitations resources, collaborate nonprofit complicated improved capacity. When due disasters homelands, experience some level guilt since not there people homeland solidarity facing difficulties. guilt, cultural influences, one motivations make give homelands. findings also show fits well into explaining altruistic behaviors immigrants. Originality/value A lot remains unknown about businesses, including entrepreneurship. expands current knowledge identifying roles during validates context.