ABSTRACT
The tendency of immigrants to start their own businesses is discussed in different contexts. The fact that immigrants start a business is sometimes an indicator of cohesion or social networks, while sometimes it can be an indicator of their inability to sufficiently participate in the dominant economic system. It is argued that the starting a business by immigrants is closely related to their economic, cultural, symbolic and social capital. Factors such as the extent to which the socio-economic and political discourse includes newcomers and the size of the immigrant group can be added to these factors. Taking all these into account, Bourdieu's relational perspective will be used in the study to analyze the Syrians' experience of starting a business in Gaziantep.
Purpose: It is known that both the rate of Syrians in Gaziantep to start their own businesses and the share of men in these rates is high. In this study, the motivation of Syrians to start a business is discussed by considering the gender factor.
Findings: The difference in women's capital accumulation and their traditional roles in housework and child care determine their motivation to start a business. The desire of men to continue their work in Syria, the obligation to provide for their families, and the discrimination they face in the workplace affect their experience of starting their own businesses. Flexibility in working hours is an important part of the business opening experience for both women and men.
Method: This study is based on the data of the Syrians in Gaziantep Success Stories study which was carried out within the scope of the 2018 Financial Support Program for the Development of Urban Culture and Urban Awareness. based on semi-structured interview questions, the article focuses on interviews with 16 Syrians (5 women and 11 men) who own businesses in Gaziantep.
Originality: Discussing the gender-based factors that are ignored in the discussion of immigrants to open a workplace makes this study different.