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Diaspora investment promotion via public–private partnerships: Case-study insights and IB research implications from the Succeed in Ireland initiative

Journal of International Business Policy volume 3, pages 23–37 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent research in international business and related fields suggests that a country’s overseas migrant populations can facilitate its inward flow of foreign direct investment (FDI). How do recipient-country governments interested in attracting more migrant-facilitated FDI respond? We provide the first exploratory study of recipient-country response by examining a public–private partnership (PPP) between government-run investment promotion agencies and diaspora-focused non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Evidence from a review of the Succeed in Ireland initiative, a partnership between the Investment Development Agency of Ireland and an NGO called ConnectIreland, provides novel insights into PPP strengths and weaknesses. We use these insights to develop propositions for future research and practical guidance on the optimal PPP design to attract more migrant-facilitated FDI.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Joanna Murphy and our expert informants for their cooperation and support on this project. We indebted to the editorial guidance of Paul Vaaler and two anonymous reviewers for their feedback and recommendations. This research has also benefitted from helpful comments by conference attendees at the Academy of International Business and the International Association for Business and Society. All errors are ours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, 35 Broad Street NW, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Elena Poliakova

  2. School of Business, George Washington University, Funger Hall, 2201 G Street NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    Liesl Riddle

  3. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, WCOB 425, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72703, USA

    Michael E. Cummings

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  1. Elena Poliakova
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Accepted by Paul Vaaler, Area Editor, 9 October 2019. This article has been with the authors for two revisions

Appendix: Selected ConnectIreland Jobs Announcements, 2012–2016

Appendix: Selected ConnectIreland Jobs Announcements, 2012–2016

Announcement date

Company

Sector/industry

Location

Number of jobs

2012

 1 June

Intergeo

Environmental contracting

Carlow

30

2013

 27 May

Mafic

Production of basalt fibre

Meath

70

 19 July

Magni

Automotive coating business

Cork

50

 19 July

Flagship

Consultancy and recruitment services for maritime companies

Galway

15

 19 July

Ark

Consulting services in ETRM (Energy Trading Risk Management) sector

Longford

10

 4 October

Sound and Sea

Ocean and marine engineering services

Cork

55

 

IA Innovation

European Corporate Training entity of Improv Asylum

Dublin

12

 

SMI

Technology consulting and government relations

Dublin

10

 

Bayne Law Group

Legal consultancy

Cork

6

2014

 19 November

SWG and MDS

Technology and technical support

Kells, Meath

50

 3 December

Clearplas and

Plastics reprocessing

Meath

19

 

Eyefinity

Medical records software for The optical industry

Dublin

20

 11 December

1E

IT efficiency software

Dublin

40

2015

 30 March

Deko foods

Ethnic foods manufacturer

Meath

20

 8 April

SMK

Electro-mechanical component manufacturer

Dublin

11

 5 May

Spiruline

Health food manufacturer and distributor

Dublin

13

 15 June

DataClarity

Business analytics software, consulting, and education services

Dublin

30

 16 June

UCT

Chromatography

Wexford

17

 1 July

Absorb Technology (Blatant Media)

Software platform for training courses

Dublin

12

 2 July

ProSeeder

Customizable financial technology platform for investment firms

Dublin

17

 20 August

6D Global

Digital business solutions (marketing and technology)

Dublin

60

 7 September

CipherTechs

Security solutions for businesses

Kilkenny

36

 6 October

CGM

Software development

Waterford

10

 20 November

Chameleon

Technology/ native advertising platform

Dublin

21

2016

 9 March

Cargurus

Shopping site

Dublin

100

 19 May

Castle Craig

Residential rehabilitation hospital

Ardee, County Louth

48

 22 September

Yroo

Search engine for smart shoppers

Dublin

33

 27 September

eCOMM

Banking and financial technology

Navan

30

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Poliakova, E., Riddle, L. & Cummings, M.E. Diaspora investment promotion via public–private partnerships: Case-study insights and IB research implications from the Succeed in Ireland initiative. J Int Bus Policy 3, 23–37 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-019-00044-7

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Keywords

  • migrants
  • foreign direct investment
  • investment-promotion agencies
  • principal-agent theory
  • public–private partnerships
  • case study