An intersectional analysis of entrepreneurial motivations of refugees in the Netherlands
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2022-08-25
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en
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With a growing recognition of intersectional influences, which inform refugee entrepreneurship and the predominance of men in refugee entrepreneurship, it is important to reflect on personal underpinnings of different groups. There is specifically little research conducted on these personal underpinnings and the differences in ethnicity, gender, age, and disabilities. Therefore, this study aims to portray entrepreneurial motivations by applying an intersectional approach on refugee entrepreneurship in the Netherlands by studying ethnicity, gender, age, and disabilities. This study will enhance existing literature by including the experiences of disabled refugee entrepreneurs, therefore, filling the gap on intersectionality in refugee entrepreneurship. Twelve life stories were conducted and analysed to gain deeper understanding of these refugees and how their intersectional identities shape and inform their entrepreneurial motivations in the Netherlands. The results substantiate the individual and contextual influences on entrepreneurial motivations, they indicate that all four social identities impacted the entrepreneurial motivations to a greater or lesser degree. Findings showed that the most determining internal pull motivation for refugee entrepreneurship appear self-determination and inclusion mainly shaped by middle-aged female Afghan refugee entrepreneurs, informed by their ethnicity, gender and age. Narratives of the female community support and social network support showed how ethnic and gendered positions shape and inform entrepreneurial motivations. Lastly, disabled refugee entrepreneurs’ motivations are shaped by all four social identities. There is a significant difference between motivations informed by their physical or mental disabilities. The study provides suggestions for policymakers, municipalities, and organizations about how to bridge the gap of cultural differences.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen