U.S. Trained Entrepreneurs See Greater Opportunities in Homelands, According to Kauffman-Funded Study

Indian and Chinese immigrant professionals trained in the U.S. are increasingly returning to their home countries with aspirations of becoming entrepreneurs, according to the Grass is Indeed Greener in India and China for Returnee Entrepreneurs — a new report funded by the Kauffman Foundation. Using survey data, the researchers found three significant factors that draw both Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs home including the availability of economic opportunities (60 percent of Indian respondents; 90 percent of Chinese respondents), local markets (50 percent of Indians; 78 percent of Chinese) and family ties (76 percent of Indians; 51 percent of Chinese). In contrast, respondents indicated that an expired U.S. visa (9 percent of all respondents) did not factor significantly into their decision. The authors provide two reasons for this increasing trend:

• The Great Recession has diminished the professional opportunities for immigrants.
• China and India have a competitive advantage due to lower operation costs, lower salaries and better access to emerging markets.

Only one U.S. advantage — "salaries received"— was found to be a significant advantage compared to respondents' native countries (64 percent of Indians; 54 percent of Chinese). Many respondents believe their salary would be higher had they remained in the U.S. The authors contend that the U.S. must learn that supporting entrepreneurial experimentation is necessary to compete in today's global economy. Without this commitment, entrepreneurs might choose to move to where the "grass" is greener. Read the report...