Iranian Refugee Entrepreneurship and Inclusion in the Netherlands

Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of entrepreneurship for migrants’ integration. Nonetheless, the impact of entrepreneurship on refugees’ inclusion and sense of belonging has been largely overlooked. This article explores how entrepreneurship contributes to the inclusion of Iranian refugee entrepreneurs, considering the different aspects of a refugee’s identity components such as ethnicity, age, class, gender, and religion. The life stories of 14 Iranian refugee entrepreneurs, who immigrated to the Netherlands in the 1980s and 1990s are analysed. We illustrate how different dimensions of their identity shape entrepreneurial motivations, resources, and entrepreneurial strategies. The results show that intersecting identity components impact Iranian refugee entrepreneurs’ sense of belonging. Notwithstanding the diverse ways in which individuals experience belonging, our study identifies three particular modes of belonging: hybrid, cosmopolitan, and transnational belonging. Drawing on interviews with individual refugee entrepreneurs, we conclude that entrepreneurship is a vehicle for greater acceptance and inclusion within the host society. Our study points to an urgent need to go beyond the integration paradigm by applying the concept of inclusion. The notion of inclusion enables us to gain a deeper understanding of refugees’ position in the labour market and the receiving society more broadly.

The coexistence of halal food products in non-Muslim communities: visiting Kupang cases, Indonesia

“…This has dynamically occurred before religious institutions and state structures became part of the social system. The local community has formed social bonds, which many practices in non-Muslim regions in various pluralistic countries tend not to accept the term “halal product” (Chitwood, 2022; Khademi et al , 2023). Consistent with previous literature studies, halal products are a narrative arising from business and religious interests (See, e.g.…”

Refugee entrepreneurship from an intersectional approach

“…Studies indicate that refugee entrepreneurs can change societal perceptions of refugees in the host society. These entrepreneurs receive more respect from both host society (Chreim et al, 2018, Khademi et al, 2022 and their own ethnic community through their entrepreneurship (Lidola, 2014;Villares-Varela and Essers, 2019). Accordingly, they experience greater social inclusion (Embiricos, 2020, Khademi et al, 2022, whilst their entrepreneurship contributes to the economy of the host society (Harb et al, 2019;Kadkoy, 2020).…”

“…These entrepreneurs receive more respect from both host society (Chreim et al. , 2018, Khademi et al. , 2022) and their own ethnic community through their entrepreneurship (Lidola, 2014; Villares-Varela and Essers, 2019).…”

“…, 2018; González-González et al. , 2011; Khademi et al. , 2022; Lidola, 2014; Villares-Varela and Essers, 2019).…”

“…Intersectional positions may play a role in the economic contribution that refugee entrepreneurs make to the host society as well as to their community. These multiple positions provide more opportunities for networking among both the co-ethnic and host communities by which immigrant entrepreneurs increasingly integrate into the new society (Chreim et al, 2018;Gonz alez-Gonz alez et al, 2011;Khademi et al, 2022;Lidola, 2014;Villares-Varela and Essers, 2019).…”