Refugees' experiences of loss shape their business ambitions

Refugees' experiences of loss shape their business ambitions Swati Mestri Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Chief Editor The severity of the losses refugees experience can shape the kinds of businesses they build in a new country, according to a qualitative study by Tilburg University researcher Kurian George and colleagues. Among the refugee entrepreneurs they interviewed, accounts of more severe losses accompanied a focus on businesses within familiar communities, while accounts of less severe losses often accompanied ambitions to grow beyond those communities. For the study, Kurian George and his colleagues interviewed 62 refugee entrepreneurs from 17 countries who had resettled in the northeastern United States. They also visited 46 businesses. The researchers wanted to understand how experiences during forced migration shape the business opportunities refugees recognize and the businesses they build. The findings are published in the Journal of Business Venturing. Refugees often lose much more than their homes or jobs during forced migration. Family ties, professional networks, and familiarity with social and cultural norms may also be lost. The researchers call this profound disruption" wholesale disruption." Before refugees can recognize business opportunities, they often first need to make sense of their new environment. "We call this 'community remapping'," says George. "It means discovering where you belong, which networks and resources are available, and what opportunities you can pursue." Different experiences, different businesses The researchers identified two broad pathways, linked to the severity of losses experienced during forced migration. Refugees who reported less severe losses were more likely to see the wider host-country community as accessible. They built relationships across different groups, viewed obstacles as manageable, and recognized a broader range of business opportunities. Their businesses were more likely to serve customers beyond their own ethnic community and pursue growth. Those who reported more severe and prolonged losses, including violence, detention, family separation, or extended periods in refugee camps, were more likely to find trust and support within their own ethnic or refugee communities. Their businesses often served these familiar communities, prioritizing stability over growth. The two pathways should not be read as a divide between success and failure. Businesses rooted in familiar communities can meet overlooked needs, preserve cultural connections, and provide stability. "Our findings suggest that refugees' experiences shape not only the challenges they face, but also the business opportunities they recognize and pursue," George explains. More than business training The findings have implications for organizations and policymakers supporting refugee entrepreneurship, George says. "Supporting refugee entrepreneurs is about more than business training or financial assistance. Helping them build trusted relationships and connect with local networks can be just as important." The research also challenges the idea that refugee entrepreneurs act only out of necessity. Participants actively explored opportunities and built new relationships. What mattered was not simply whether resources existed, but whether entrepreneurs saw them as accessible and relevant to their businesses. More information Todd W. Moss et al., Who are my people and what can I do? Community remapping for entrepreneurial venturing after forced migration, Journal of Business Venturing (2027). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2026.106654 Provided by Tilburg University