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This paper aims to contribute to the rapidly growing transnational immigrant entrepreneurship (TIE) literature by empirically exploring eco-factors and components from entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives. Through content analysis of the TIE concepts and definitions of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the study defines the concept of the immigrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and suggests it as an instrument for studying the relationship between immigrant firms and their business environment. Case studies and qualitative analysis examines and evaluates the dual (host- and home-country) entrepreneurial ecosystem (DEE) and its eco-factors and components. Case studies show cultural norms, in particular, home-country national values and family values, are key players in transnational entrepreneurs who engage in transnational entrepreneurship. The research results support that the DEE framework is a key instrument for the study of the determination of transnational immigrant entrepreneurs’ motivation, strategy, and outcomes. This research theoretically contributes to TIE literature by finding new influential eco-factors and components, thus, enhancing the DEE framework. It also provides suggestions to policymakers and practitioners and further research directions.

The small business sector has been identified as an essential component of the global economy, especially in developing economies, where it plays a significant role in addressing job creation and poverty. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant lockdown restrictions have brought untold devastation to the sector forcing many out of operation, crippling business operations and financial viability. We seek to identify the role and impact of government relief measures in helping immigrant-owned businesses in South Africa to deal with the impact of the pandemic on their businesses. Primary data was collected using an electronic questionnaire administered to 260 foreign business owners in South Africa. The data was cleaned and statistically analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. We interpreted and discussed the results using the realistic conflict theory. Though a vast majority of the businesses (89%) reported that the pandemic had a very severe impact on their financial sustainability and liquidity, none of them reported that they benefitted from any of the South African government business support packages during the pandemic.