Abstract
Focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and situated within the Born Global Irish animation industry context, this qualitative study employs an inclusive perspective on capital (Bourdieu, 1986) to develop a holistic understanding of the capital mobilization of repatriated Irish SIEs. This study explores the impact of the repatriates’ mobilization of their economic, cultural, and social capital within a purposely selected case study of a collective of Born Global Irish animation firms. In doing this, our study unpacks the individual repatriated SIE’s career journey within a “context of industry structures and particularly social networks” (Morris, McKinlay and Farrell., 2023, p.343). In assessing the impact of repatriated SIEs’ capital within a Born Global industry, the study addresses the lacuna within the SIE literature on the actual repatriation of SIEs (Ellis, Thorn and Yao, 2020) and their mobilization of various forms of capital as they reestablish themselves within their home country creating new business opportunities. Focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and situated within the Born Global Irish animation industry context, this qualitative study employs an inclusive perspective on capital (Bourdieu, 1986) to develop a holistic understanding of the capital mobilization of repatriated Irish SIEs. This study explores the impact of the repatriates’ mobilization of their economic, cultural, and social capital within a purposely selected case study of a collective of Born Global Irish animation firms. In doing this, our study unpacks the individual repatriated SIE’s career journey within a “context of industry structures and particularly social networks” (Morris, McKinlay and Farrell., 2023, p.343). In assessing the impact of repatriated SIEs’ capital within a Born Global industry, the study addresses the lacuna within the SIE literature on the actual repatriation of SIEs (Ellis, Thorn and Yao, 2020) and their mobilization of various forms of capital as they reestablish themselves within their home country creating new business opportunities.