這篇論文研究被設想為對台灣外籍企業家群體的探索。主要目的是了解是什麼因素把他們帶到台灣、他們如何過渡轉型到創業，以及他們作為外籍企業主的經驗。對13名高技能外籍人士的深入定性訪談產生了六個主題：1）為自我提升、愛情或進一步旅行而來......而不是攀登企業階梯；2）過渡到創業；3）相對容易的業務，但在獲得資金、銀行系統和感知的雙重標準方面具有挑戰性；4）與眾不同：以局外人的身份導航文化；5）中文技能；6）長期展望。外籍企業家到台灣來的動力是想通過教育追求自我提升、追隨愛人，或作為計劃進一步世界旅行的基點。他們愛上了這個國家或它的某個居民，並在當地公司謀職，由於工資低、無聊或工作文化不兼容而離開這些公司，其後成為偶然的企業家。他們表示，註冊一家企業很容易，但是覺得進入銀行系統和其他資金來源的渠道卻很有限，迫使他們必須自籌資金或尋找台灣以外的投資。受訪者認為，他們覺得自己 "與眾不同"，在銀行和融資機構受到與當地人不同的對待。他們通過各種策略處理這種 "懸殊"和文化差異。中文能力被認為是重要的，但對他們的業務並不關鍵。大多數受訪者打算中長期留在台灣，理由是當地人很友好，有自然景觀，以及有稱職的行政部門。

關鍵詞：自發的外籍人士、高技能移民、台灣、企業家、外籍-企業家

This thesis research was conceived as an exploration of the Taiwanese expat-preneur population. The main goal was to understand what brings them to Taiwan, how they transition into entrepreneurship, and their experiences as expatriate business owners. In-depth qualitative interviews with 13 highly skilled expatriates generated six themes: 1) Coming for self-improvement, love or further travel... not climbing the corporate ladder; 2) transitioning into entrepreneurship; 3) relatively easy business but challenging access to finance, the banking system and perceived double standards; 4) being different: navigating culture as an outsider; 5) Chinese skills; 6) Long-term outlook. Expat-preneurs are driven to Taiwan to pursue self-improvement through education, following a loved one, or as a basis for planning further world travel. They love the country or a resident and pursue employment at local firms, becoming accidental entrepreneurs as they leave these firms due to low wages, boredom or incompatible work culture. They stated that registering a business was easy although they felt that access to the banking system and other funding sources was limited, forcing them to self-fund or looking for investment outside Taiwan. Respondents felt that they felt "different" and were handled differently from locals at banks and funding institutions. They deal with this "otherness" and cultural differences through various strategies. Chinese language ability is considered important but not crucial to their business. Most respondents intend to stay medium to long term in Taiwan, citing friendly locals, natural attractions, and a competent administration.

Keywords: self-initiated expatriates, highly skilled migrants, Taiwan, entrepreneur, expat-preneur

Table of Contents

Thesis validation letter - i -
Acknowledgments - ii -
Abstract (Chinese) - iii -
Abstract (English) - iv -
Introduction - 1 -
1. Literature Review - 4 -
2. Methodology - 17 -
3. Findings and discussion - 39 -
4. Conclusion - 84 -
5. Limitations and future research - 87 -
Bibliography - 89 -

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