Understanding the Role of Refugees` Entrepreneurship Motives and Challenges in Integration: Evidence From the Food Industry

Authors : Ibrahim CİFCİ, Ozan ATSIZ

Pages : 1-19

Doi:10.26650/JECS2021-863909

View : 28 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2021-12-29

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores the role of refugees` entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration into the host country. Based on the food industry, a qualitative research approach was adopted in this study. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugees in two major European cities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e., London and Istanbul);. The theme coding analysis was performed on the qualitative data, and the analysis processes revealed three main dimensions: entrepreneur integration motives, entrepreneur integration domains, and entrepreneur integration challenges. As a result of the analysis, beyond the previous studies` findings, three interconnected fundamental relations emerged from the main dimensions` sub-categories, which contribute to a better understanding of the role of refugees` entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration into the host society: insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1); the relation between the market accessing challenge, citizenship desire, and social equality, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2); the relation of cultural proximity and the attitude of host people in building social bridges and, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3); the relation between refugees` mental health problems and resilience in entrepreneurship achievements. To the best of the authors` knowledge, this study is among the first attempts to reveal the effects of refugees` entrepreneurship motives and challenges in their integration in the context of the food industry.
Keywords : Refugees, refugees, refugees, food industry