The Role of Different Forms of Capital in Entrepreneurial Activities of Syrian Migrants in Turkey

Abstract

The phenomenon of immigrant entrepreneurship as a result of the migration process can be defined as the self-employment of migrants within various relationships and contexts in the host country. Approximately four million Syrians who came to Turkey after the civil war that began in Syria in 2011 have been living in various cities in Turkey. While Syrian immigrants were waiting to return to their homeland, the civil war has been going on for more than ten years. This situation makes the desire of Syrian immigrants to stay in Turkey permanently, increased. In parallel with this trend, a significant increase is observed in migrant entrepreneurship activities in Turkey. In this context, this study aimed to explain how different forms of capital play a role in the processes of Syrian immigrant entrepreneurs’ transformation into business owners. The study aims to reach Syrian migrants who arrived in Turkey after the civil war in Syria that began in 2011 and who owned a business in the Esenyurt district. In this study, by using qualitative research methods and techniques, the experiences of Syrian migrant entrepreneurs are tried to be understood and interpreted. As a result of the study, it has been seen that different forms of capital play a role in different levels of the entrepreneurial activities of immigrants.