The Reasons for Syrian Refugees in Turkey Becoming Entrepreneurs Based on Push and Pull Factors

Year 2018, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 33 - 66, 01.12.2018

Duygu Deniz Metin Reyhanoğlu

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the reasons why refugees who immigrated to Turkey due to the domestic turbulence in Syria become entrepreneurs in the framework of the push-pull model. Methodology: Face-to-face interviews are conducted with a total of 30 Syrian ‘urban entrepreneurs’ in Hatay, Gaziantep, Mersin, and Istanbul in 2016. The snowball method is used in order to contact with the refugee entrepreneurs who are registered to trade associations. The responses given through an interpreter to the semi-structured questions were coded and categorized. Findings: Syrian refugees’ socio-economic problems such as language problems, discrimination, legal problems, obstacles to access resources, and low wages push them to entrepreneurship. The willingness to turn these problems into an opportunity is the most important factor that attracts experienced entrepreneurs to entrepreneurship. Results and Implications: The push and pull factors in refugee entrepreneurship coexist in the same person. Although in this study it is low, the impact of social network and capital on refugee entrepreneurship should be examined in following new studies. Originality: Although the reasons why Syrian refugees turn towards entrepreneurship are important in terms of socio-economy, these reasons have not been examined in the literature. This study is important in terms of the evaluation of the factors that determine the causes of refugee entrepreneurship and preparing the individual and integrating them into the country.

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Refugee Entrepreneurship, Syrian, Push-Pull Theory of Entrepreneurship, Opportunity Entrepreneurship, Necessity Entrepreneurship

İten ve Çeken Faktörler Temelinde Türkiye’deki Suriyeli Mültecilerin Girişimci Olma Nedenleri

Abstract

Amaç: Çalışmanın amacı, Suriye’de yaşanan iç karışıklık sonucu Türkiye’ye gelen mültecilerin girişimciliğe yönelme nedenlerinin, itme-çekme modeli kapsamında incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Hatay, Gaziantep, Mersin ve İstanbul’da toplam 30 Suriyeli ‘kentsel girişimci’ ile 2016 yılında yüz yüze derinlemesine görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Odalara kayıtlı mülteci girişimcilere kartopu yöntemiyle ulaşılmış, tercüman eşliğinde yarı yapılandırılmış sorulara verilen yanıtlar kodlanarak, kategorileştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Yaşadıkları dil problemleri, ayırımcılık, hukuki problemler, kaynaklara erişim engelleri, düşük ücret gibi sosyo-ekonomik sorunlar Suriyeli mültecileri girişimciliğe itmektedir. Girişimcilik tecrübesi olan mültecilerde bu sorunları fırsata dönüştürme istekliliği, onları girişimciliğe çeken en önemli faktördür. Sonuç ve Öneriler: Mülteci girişimciliğinde iten ve çeken faktörler aynı kişide bir arada yer almaktadır. Bu çalışmada düşük olmasına rağmen mülteci girişimciliğinde sosyal ağ ve sermaye etkisi yeni araştırmalarda irdelenmelidir. Özgün Değer: Suriyeli mültecilerin girişimciliğe yönelme nedenleri, sosyo-ekonomik anlamda önemli olmasına rağmen literatürde incelenmemiştir. Mülteci girişimciliğin nedenlerini belirleyen faktörlerin değerlendirilmesi bireyin hazırlanması ve ülkeye kazandırılması açısından çalışma önemlilik arz etmektedir

Keywords

Mülteci Girişimciliği, Suriye, Girişimciliğin İtme-Çekme Teorisi, Zorunlu Girişimcilik, Fırsatçı Girişimcilik.

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