Entrepreneurship in Crisis: The Determinants of Syrian Refugees’ Entrepreneurial Intentions in Turkey

Abstract

This study aims to identify the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among Syrian refugees in Turkey. The research, based on planned behaviour theory, focused on the impact of the refugee context on those intentions and thus on the attitudes and behaviour of entrepreneurs. The study is based on the positivist paradigm, and a quantitative methodology was used to collect data. We preferred the method of convenience sampling and chose 122 entrepreneurial projects at the beginning of 2020. The results show that psychological characteristics have no significant impact. Motivation, conviction, and independence are not sufficient conditions for the choice of an entrepreneurial profession. Self-standards do not affect the entrepreneurial intentions of refugees, as support from family and friends may not be sufficient reason to engage in an entrepreneurial project. However, entrepreneurship emerged among the refugees distinguished by perseverance, efficiency, a spirit of innovation, prior experience, adequate perceptions of barriers, and having the resources needed to implement projects. The refugee context has a negative emotional impact on entrepreneurship for reasons related to conditions of instability, language difficulties, the need for capital to invest, and a lack of entrepreneurial knowledge. The research findings can be used to support the role of humanitarian organisations, UN agencies, and host governments in developing a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial intentions in the refugee context.