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Unfolding the Dynamics of Refugees’ Entrepreneurial Journey in the Aftermath of Forced Displacement

Abebe, Solomon Akele LU and El-Awad, Ziad LU orcid (2023) p.465-499
Abstract
Despite their detrimental circumstances, the number of refugee-owned businesses is on the rise—a situation referred to as “the paradox of refugee entrepreneurship.” However, a key question is how refugees, having undergone extreme life disruption due to war, conflict, and forced displacement, fare as entrepreneurs in their host country. Extant studies do not address this question, as they primarily focus on factors determining refugees’ entrepreneurial entry. We extend current research, which predominantly focuses on the antecedents of refugee entrepreneurship, with a processual approach that captures refugees’ entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on inductive theory-building analysis and extensive data gathered from 40 in-depth interviews... (More)
Despite their detrimental circumstances, the number of refugee-owned businesses is on the rise—a situation referred to as “the paradox of refugee entrepreneurship.” However, a key question is how refugees, having undergone extreme life disruption due to war, conflict, and forced displacement, fare as entrepreneurs in their host country. Extant studies do not address this question, as they primarily focus on factors determining refugees’ entrepreneurial entry. We extend current research, which predominantly focuses on the antecedents of refugee entrepreneurship, with a processual approach that captures refugees’ entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on inductive theory-building analysis and extensive data gathered from 40 in-depth interviews with 21 recently arrived Syrians in Sweden, our dynamic model provides a thorough examination of the tactics and procedures that refugees employ to create and grow their businesses. This research contributes to the advancement of existing theory by introducing a comprehensive model that delves into the intricacies of refugee entrepreneurship, outlining the distinct phases, detailing the underlying mechanisms for each phase, and identifying the critical factors that drive progress from one stage to the next. Our findings offer valuable insights for initiatives seeking to provide support and encouragement to refugee entrepreneurs, thereby fostering their success and empowering them to reach their full potential. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Refugee entrepreneurship, Refugee entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial journey, Refugee crisis, Refugee policy
host publication
The Palgrave Handbook of Global Migration in International Business
editor
Mockaitis, Audra I.
edition
1
pages
465 - 499
publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN
978-3-031-38885-9
978-3-031-38888-0
978-3-031-38886-6
DOI
10.1007/978-3-031-38886-6
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
32a0bea1-8e83-4512-9241-49e352fb1d49
date added to LUP
2023-11-06 19:21:19
date last changed
2023-11-13 09:08:21
@inbook{32a0bea1-8e83-4512-9241-49e352fb1d49,
  abstract     = {{Despite their detrimental circumstances, the number of refugee-owned businesses is on the rise—a situation referred to as “the paradox of refugee entrepreneurship.” However, a key question is how refugees, having undergone extreme life disruption due to war, conflict, and forced displacement, fare as entrepreneurs in their host country. Extant studies do not address this question, as they primarily focus on factors determining refugees’ entrepreneurial entry. We extend current research, which predominantly focuses on the antecedents of refugee entrepreneurship, with a processual approach that captures refugees’ entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on inductive theory-building analysis and extensive data gathered from 40 in-depth interviews with 21 recently arrived Syrians in Sweden, our dynamic model provides a thorough examination of the tactics and procedures that refugees employ to create and grow their businesses. This research contributes to the advancement of existing theory by introducing a comprehensive model that delves into the intricacies of refugee entrepreneurship, outlining the distinct phases, detailing the underlying mechanisms for each phase, and identifying the critical factors that drive progress from one stage to the next. Our findings offer valuable insights for initiatives seeking to provide support and encouragement to refugee entrepreneurs, thereby fostering their success and empowering them to reach their full potential.}},
  author       = {{Abebe, Solomon Akele and El-Awad, Ziad}},
  booktitle    = {{The Palgrave Handbook of Global Migration in International Business}},
  editor       = {{Mockaitis, Audra I.}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-031-38885-9}},
  keywords     = {{Refugee entrepreneurship; Refugee entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurial journey; Refugee crisis; Refugee policy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  pages        = {{465--499}},
  publisher    = {{Palgrave Macmillan}},
  title        = {{Unfolding the Dynamics of Refugees’ Entrepreneurial Journey in the Aftermath of Forced Displacement}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38886-6}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/978-3-031-38886-6}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}