Faculty / School

School of Business Studies (SBS)

Department

Department of Marketing

Was this content written or created while at IBA?

Yes

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

6-22-2025

Book or Conference Proceedings Title

The Role of Social Capital and Networks in Facilitating War-Affected Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Conference Name

European Academy of Management (EURAM) 2025

Conference Location

University of Florence, School of Economics and Management, Via delle Pandette, 9, IT-50127 Firenze (FI).

Conference Dates

22-25 June 2025

Abstract / Description

This study examines how social capital and social networks facilitate entrepreneurial resilience, resource mobilization and scalability for war-affected migrant entrepreneurs in Finland. Drawing on social capital theory, we qualitatively examine the evolving role of bonding, bridging and linking social capital during the entrepreneurial journey. The study utilizes interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to gain nuanced insights into the lived experiences of participants. Our findings highlight the multiple contributions of social networks that provide emotional, operational, and institutional support that enable immigrant entrepreneurs to overcome resource scarcity, transcend cultural and achieve long-term entrepreneurial sustainability. By integrating these insights, the study extends social capital theory by emphasizing the dynamic and context-specific role of social capital and networks in entrepreneurial ecosystems. We provide recommendations for policy makers, financial institutions and community organizations to create inclusive, resource-efficient entrepreneurial ecosystems. This research contributes to the broader discourse on immigrant entrepreneurship and emphasizes the importance of tailored support mechanisms for war-affected entrepreneurs.

Note

The file attached is the current version of the conference paper, which is under review in a journal for publication. 

Download

Share

COinS