Introduction

How do Refugee Entrepreneurs Navigate Institutional Voids? Insights from Malaysia*

“…While refugees may be considered as an integral part of the immigrant population, refugee entrepreneurs are distinct from immigrant entrepreneurs (Heilbrunn & Iannone, 2019). Immigrant 6 entrepreneurs are broader in capturing non-refugee immigrants, who tend to be future-oriented and who may opt to return to their home (country) once they become financially better off from entrepreneurial activity (Bizri, 2017;Wauters & Lambrecht, 2008).…”

“…Institutional voids occur when "institutional arrangements that support markets are absent, weak, or fail to accomplish the role expected of them' (Mair & Marti, 2009, p. 419). For refugees in Malaysia, institutional voids impede their ability to make sense of the new environments and to access appropriate support for their entrepreneurial activities (Heilbrunn & Iannone, 2019;Khoury & Prasad, 2015). Previous research on refugee entrepreneurship maps out the challenges refugees face when starting up a business, including language and communication barriers; discrimination and racism; limited local networks; lack of access to finance; lack of support resource; cross-cultural challenges; legal constraints; uncertainty and lack of security; constraints on movements; and lack of business skills (Alrawadieh et al, 2019;Kachkar, 2019;Refai et al, 2018;Shneikat & Alrawadieh, 2019;Wauters & Lambrecht, 2008).…”

Against all odds: refugees bricoleuring in the void

“…In the twenty-first century, global migration is a key factor and has become a major economic, political, social and cultural issue. While about 90 percent of the world’s migrants usually move for economic reasons on a voluntary basis, the remaining 10 percent seek refuge and asylum, having fled their countries in an escape from persecution and violence (Heilbrunn and Iannone, 2018). Although host countries are looking for strategies aimed to improve the situation of refugees, millions of displaced individuals across the globe are among the most marginalized of groups, exposed to discrimination, unacceptable living conditions and high rates of unemployment (Bloch, 2008, 2014; Lyon et al , 2007; Phillimore and Goodson, 2006).…”

“…Second, based on labor market disadvantage theory and its related blocked mobility underpinnings a number of studies have described significant barriers of refugee entrepreneurship, such as legal restrictions as well as personal and structural discrimination (Ayadurai, 2011; Bloch, 2008; Fong et al , 2007; Heilbrunn and Iannone, 2018; Lyon et al , 2007; Wauters and Lambrecht, 2008). In a number of publications, blocked mobility has been clearly identified as a motivator for refugee entrepreneurs (Price and Chacko, 2009; Roth et al , 2012; Tömöry, 2008).…”

“…In a number of publications, blocked mobility has been clearly identified as a motivator for refugee entrepreneurs (Price and Chacko, 2009; Roth et al , 2012; Tömöry, 2008). At the mezzo level, access to financial and social capital are mentioned as facilitators to entrepreneurship (Sandberg et al , 2018; Omeje and Mwangi, 2014) while at the micro level, lack of intercultural resources in terms of language skills, cultural understanding and professional knowledge have been identified as significant obstacles (Bloch, 2008; Lyon et al , 2007; Heilbrunn and Iannone, 2018). The main personal motivators for entrepreneurship mentioned by refugees concern a longing to improve their living conditions and integrating into their new environments (Fong et al , 2007; Sandberg et al , 2018; Sheridan, 2008; Tömöry, 2008; Wauters and Lambrecht, 2006) as well as the entrepreneurial drive to be independent (Fong et al , 2007; Sandberg et al , 2018).…”