From intentions to actions: Exploring the entrepreneurial journey of Syrian refugees in Istanbul.

• Main Authors: Kassab, Ammar, Omar, Rosmini, Ghura, Hasan
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/107970/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08954-1_9
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

The issue of entrepreneurial activity among refugees has not been discussed in detail in previous studies, although the entrepreneurial potential of refugees is generally acknowledged. This article aims to explore the entrepreneurial journey and entrepreneurial experience of Syrian refugees in Istanbul. The study employs an exploratory phenomenological approach, contextualized in the entrepreneurial behavior literature. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 Syrian entrepreneurs living in Istanbul. This paper uncovers the importance of entrepreneurial behavior in indicating asylum experience and how experience accumulated by individual immigrants affects perceived behavioral control and entrepreneurial viability. Furthermore, the article provides some practical and social contributions by highlighting how the entrepreneurial behavior of Syrian refugees is driven by their immigration or business experience.