Meet IE-Scholar: Sui Sui
Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
Question: What are your key areas of research?
Sui Sui: My research examines how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs engage with global markets, with a special focus on immigrant, female, and Indigenous entrepreneurship. I explore how cultural capital, lived experience, and institutional environments shape entrepreneurs’ internationalization strategies and resilience. Some of my current work seeks to understand how non-market factors—such as identity, trust, and social legitimacy—intersect with market strategy to influence global business outcomes.
Question: What are you currently working on?
Sui Sui: I’m currently studying how immigrant entrepreneurs adapt to global disruptions and institutional uncertainty. This project explores the decision-making processes that allow them to remain innovative and internationally active despite barriers such as travel restrictions and rising protectionism. At the same time, I’m investigating how Indigenous SMEs use relationship-based and diplomatic strategies—like alliance-building, advocacy, and Indigenous-to-Indigenous trade—to participate in and shape global markets. Both streams of work emphasize the agency of under-represented entrepreneurs as global actors who contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic development.
Question: What are a few of your personal hobbies?
Sui Sui: I enjoy walking, swimming, listening to podcasts, and spending quiet time for myself, as well as fun activities with my family. Travel has always been an important source of inspiration for me, both personally and professionally.
Question: Where will we see you next?
Sui Sui: You’ll see me at the International Conference on Entrepreneurship for Sustainability & Impact (ESI), where I am co-track chair for Strategies and International Business in the Era of Disruptive Technologies. I will also be attending the EIBA Annual Conference in Athens, Greece, to continue engaging with colleagues on advancing inclusive and sustainability-oriented perspectives in international entrepreneurship.