隱形的西方移民創業家在台灣：跨文化與跨國網絡資本及法規限制

Hidden Western Migrant Entrepreneurs in Taiwan: Transcultural Capital, Transnational Network Capital and Legal Constraints

移民研究通常以開發中國家的人移往先進國家為研究對象，也就是研究有色人種的跨國遷移。隨著全球化的浪潮及亞洲的經濟蓬勃發展，尤其是中國的崛起，歐美先進國家的白人中產階級也積極參與跨國移動，並到亞洲國家追尋自我與經濟發展機會。本研究即是探討白人移民到台灣創業的先驅研究，透過自行蒐集資料，並進行深度訪談，本研究發現，西方移民在台創業的行業很廣，除了以台灣市場為主之外，也有善用其文化資本所發展出來的跨文化與跨國網絡資本，致力於連結台灣廠商與國際市場的事業。但是由於法規的限制，使得西方移民創業不被看見，不是隱身台灣配偶或友人公司的背後，就是披上外國人投資或多國籍公司的外衣。

International migration research tends to focus on people of color—that is, the movement of migrants from developing to developed countries. Due to globalization factors and vibrant economies in Asian countries (especially China), significant numbers of white middle class westerners are moving from their home nations to Asia to pursue career and personal growth opportunities. The author gathered quantitative data and conducted in-depth interviews for this study of Western migrant entrepreneurs in Taiwan. Results reveal a significant number of Western migrants establishing businesses in a wide range of sectors, with some focusing on the Taiwan market and others using transcultural and transnational network capital to help Taiwanese businesses connect with global markets. However, due to government regulations, Western migrant entrepreneurs must disguise their businesses as being owned by Taiwanese spouses or friends, or present their firms as foreign investments or multinational corporations, regardless of size. For these reasons, Western migrant entrepreneurs and their businesses remain mostly invisible to the Taiwanese public.