Diaspora’s role in their home country’s economic development: The case of Kosovo

Mimoza Dushi; Albert Berila

doi:10.3986/AGS.12806

Authors

Mimoza Dushi University of Prishtina, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1853-6829
Albert Berila University of Prishtina, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Department of Geography, Pristina, Kosovo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0754-269X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.12806

Keywords:

diaspora investments, Kosovo Albanian, remittances, economic development, policy recommendations, qualitative research, Kosovo

Abstract

This study critically examines the challenges faced by the Kosovo Albanian diaspora in investing in their home country. Despite being a significant economic asset, particularly through substantial remittances that contribute to the national GDP, the diaspora encounters various barriers to effective investment. Based on 53 biographical interviews (2014–2016) with migrants in Switzerland and Germany, as well as 23 interviews with key informants, including officials, trade union representatives, and civil society actors, the study highlights the absence of adequate incentive packages to support diaspora driven investments in Kosovo. The research addresses both individual and policy levels, offering recommendations aimed at enhancing the impact of diaspora financial initiatives.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Birks, M., Mills, J. 2015: Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Bogataj, N., Krč, J. 2023: Towards the efficient response of forest owners to large-scale forest damage: An example of forest commons. Acta geographica Slovenica 63-3. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.11084

Brinkerhoff, J. M. 2008: The potential of diaspora development. In: Diasporas and Development: Exploring the Potential. Lynne Rienner Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781626373334

Brinkerhoff, J. M. 2012: Creating an enabling environment for diasporas’ participation in homeland development. International Migration 50-1. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2435.2009.00542.x

Bush, K. 2008: Diaspora engagement in peacebuilding: Empirical and theoretical challenges. In: Whose Peace? Critical Perspectives on the Political Economy of Peacebuilding. Pelgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230228740_12

Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo 2024: Remittances Data. Online Database.

Dwyer, C. 2010: Diasporas and economies. In: Diasporas: Concepts, Intersections, Identities. Zed Books Ltd.

Erdal, M. B., Ezzati, R. 2014: ‘Where are you from’ or ‘when did you come’? Temporal dimensions in migrants' reflections about settlement and return. Ethnic and Racial Studies 7. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2014.971041

Gashi, A. 2021: How migration, human capital and the labour market interact in Kosovo. Report. European Training Foundation.

Gashi, A., Shabani, A., Rizvanolli, A. 2013: Facilitating diaspora investment in Kosovo. Assessment and mapping of innovative strategies at central and local level. Report. Diaspora Engagement for Economic Development, International Organization for Migration, UNDP.

Germin 2023: Harnessing the potential of the Kosovo diaspora’s economic contributions. Report.

Gibson, J., McKenzie, D. 2012: The economic consequences of ‘brain drain’ of the best and brightest: Microeconomic evidence from five countries. The Economic Journal 122-560. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2012.02498.x

Grabowska, I., Garapich, M. P., Jaźwińska, E., Radziwinowiczówna, A. 2017: Migrants as agents of change. Social remittances in an enlarged European Union. Migration, Diasporas and Citizenship. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59066-4

Hockenos, P. 2018: Homeland calling: Exile patriotism and the Balkan wars. Cornell University Press.

Hoxha, D. 2009: Barriers to doing business in Kosova: An institutional approach. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business 8-2. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2009.024376

Iosifides, T., Sporton, D. 2009: Editorial: Biographical methods in migration research. Migration Letters 6-2. https://doi.org/10.59670/ml.v6i2.69

Iseni, B. 2013: Albanian-speaking transnational populations in Switzerland: continuities and shifts. Southeast European and Black Sea Studies 13-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/14683857.2013.802174

Jacques, D. N. 2021: Using MAXQDA in ethnographic research: An example with coding, analyzing, and writing. In: The Practice of Qualitative Data Analysis: Research Examples using MAXQDA. MAXQDA Press.

Kilic, T., Carletto, C., Davis, B., Zezza, A. 2009: Investing back home. Return migration and business ownership in Albania. Economics in Transition 17-3. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0351.2009.00357.x

King, R., Gëdeshi, I. 2024: The Albanian scientific diaspora from Kosovo: Prospects for cooperation and return. Working paper. University of Sussex, Sussex Centre for Migration Research.

Knox, S., Burkard, A. W. 2009: Qualitative research interviews. Psychotherapy Research 19-4,5. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300802702105

Koinova, M. 2010: Diasporas and secessionist conflicts: the mobilization of the Armenian, Albanian and Chechen diasporas. Ethnic and Racial Studies 34-2. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2010.489646

Koinova, M. 2017: Diaspora mobilisation for conflict and post-conflict reconstruction: Contextual and comparative dimensions. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 44-8. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2017.1354152

Kosovo Agency of Statistics 2014: Migrimi Kosovar. Report.

Krasniqi, L. 2022: Diaspora engagement mapping Kosovo. In: Diaspora Engagement. Western Balkans & Europe. Factsheet dosier. European Union, International Centre for Migration Policy Development.

Lee, S. H., Yamakawa, Y., Peng, M. W., Barney, J. B. 2011: How do bankruptcy laws affect entrepreneurship development around the world? Journal of Business Venturing 26-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2010.05.001

Mack, N., Woodsong, C., Macqueen, K. M., Guest, G., Namey, E. 2005: Qualitative research methods: A data collector’s field guide. Family Health International.

Meyer, W., Möllers, J., Buchenrieder, G. 2012: Who remits more? Who remits less? Evidence from Kosovar migrants in Germany and their households of origin. Oxford Development Studies 40-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600818.2012.729816

Ministry of Internal Affairs 2019: Profili i lehtë i migrimit 2018, Kosovë. Report.

Ministry of Internal Affairs 2021: Profili i lehtë i migrimit 2020, Kosovë. Report.

Mustafa, M., Kotorri, M., Gashi, P., Gashi, A., Demukalj, V. 2007: Diaspora and migration policies. Report. Foundation for Open Society, Balkan Trust for Democracy, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, RiInvest institute.

Nicholson, B. 2001: From migrant to micro-entrepreneur: Do-it-yourself development in Albania. SEER: Journal for Labour and Social Affairs in Eastern Europe 4-3.

Page, B., Mercer, C. 2012: Why do people do stuff? Reconceptualizing remittance behavior in diaspora-development research and policy. Progress in Development Studies 12-1. https://doi.org/10.1177/146499341101200101

Ragaru, N., Dymi, A. 2004: The Albanian-American community in the United States. Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism 31-1,2.

Remiddi, A., Alibašić, M., Kapetanović, S., Davidović, E., Zejnilović, E. 2019: The ambivalent role of diaspora engagement for the homeland in the Balkans. Global Campus Human Rights Journal 3-1. https://doi.org/10.25330/1419

Riddle, L., Hrivnakand, G. A., Nielsen, T. M. 2010: Transnational diaspora entrepreneurship in emerging markets: Bridging institutional divides. Journal of International Management 16–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2010.09.009

Schwander-Sievers, S. 2005: Albanian migration and diasporas. In: Workshop on the National strategy for Migration. International Organization on Migration (IOM).

Sinatti, G., Horst, C. 2015: Migrants as agents of development: Diaspora engagement discourse and practice in Europe. Ethnicities 15-1. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468796814530120

Terrazas, A. 2010: Diaspora investment in the developing and emerging country capital. Report. United States Agency International Development, Migration Policy Institute.

Topxhiu, R. M., Krasniqi, F. X. 2017: The relevance of remittances in fostering economic growth in the Western Balkan Countries. Ekonomika 96-2. https://doi.org/10.15388/Ekon.2017.2.10989

United Nations Development Programme 2012a: Kosovo human development report 2012. Private sector and employment. Report.

United Nations Development Programme 2012b: Kosovo mosaic 2012. Report.

United Nations Development Programme 2014: Kosovo human development report 2014. Migration as a force for development. Report.

Uršič, M., Tamano, K. 2019: The importance of green amenities for small creative actors in Tokyo: Comparing natural and sociocultural spatial attraction characteristics. Acta geographica Slovenica 59-1. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.4710

Vaaler, P. M. 2011: Immigrant remittances and the venture investment environment of developing countries. Journal of International Business Studies 42. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2011.36

Wei, Y., Balasubramanyam, V. N. 2006: Diaspora and development. The World Economy 29-11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9701.2006.00856.x

Williams, N. 2018: Mobilising diaspora to promote homeland investment: The progress of policy in post-conflict economies. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space 36-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654417752684

World Bank 2011: Migration and economic development in Kosovo. Report.

World Bank 2023: Migrants, Refugees and Societies. Report.

Xavier, S. R., Kelley, D., Kew, J., Herrington, M., Vorderwuelbecke, A. 2013: Global entrepreneurship monitor. 2012 Global Report. Report. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association (GERA).

Zhu, Y., Wittmann, X., Peng, M. W. 2012: Institution-based barriers to innovation in SMEs in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Management 29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-011-9263-7