Refugee Entrepreneurship: A Research Companion

This comprehensive volume explores the phenomenon of refugee entrepreneurship and advances the discussions and debates in the domain.

The growing number of refugees across the world creates a compelling need to study the social and economic activities of refugees in different contexts, and to share experiences and debate how to better support refugee populations. This book covers academic, practical, and policy issues in refugee entrepreneurship, seeking to present the current status of research in this evolving field. The topics include how to identify and differentiate refugee entrepreneurship; refugees’ business practices; the personal, economic, and social values and impacts of refugee entrepreneurship; and the institutional support and role of ecosystems in facilitating refugee entrepreneurship. Future research directions are also outlined.

This book provides scholars with the theoretical foundations and evidence base to advance refugee entrepreneurship research. Support agencies will learn from the experiences of others about the delivery of tailored support and policymakers will recognise the need for empathy and consistency in developing host country strategies for refugees.

Nadeera Ranabahu is Senior Lecturer in the UC Business School at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Nadeera’s main research interest is inclusive entrepreneurship. She has published papers on entrepreneurship among refugees, immigrants, low-income people, and women.

Huibert P. de Vries is Associate Professor in the UC Business School at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has published papers on ethnic minority immigrant entrepreneurship, refugee entrepreneurship, and indigenous entrepreneurship among Māori and Pacific Peoples in New Zealand.

Robert T. Hamilton is Emeritus Professor in the UC Business School at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, and Consulting Editor for International Small Business Journal. His recent publications have been on portfolio entrepreneurs and the nature and spread of high-growth firms in New Zealand.