Armed conflict as an entrepreneurial influence: how sub-Saharan African refugees leverage their personal negative experiences in entrepreneurial endeavors

Purpose While much of the existing research emphasizes theories such as access to resources and the ethnic backgrounds of refugee entrepreneurs, there has been a very limited exploration of how personal negative experiences, such as civil wars and genocide, or both, significantly impact their entrepreneurial endeavors. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study included 25 in-person interviews with sub-Saharan African refugee entrepreneurs in Portland, Maine, who have endured these personal negative experiences. The purpose of this study is to explore the crucial role of personal negative experiences, such as civil wars and genocide, or both, in shaping immigrants’ entrepreneurial endeavors and influencing the development of their business ventures and instilling a mission-driven character through the powerful personal narratives they create. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this qualitative study included 25 in-person interviews with sub-Saharan African refugee entrepreneurs in Portland, Maine, who have endured these personal negative experiences. Findings The findings show that these personal negative experiences play a crucial role in shaping their entrepreneurial endeavors, influencing the development of their business ventures and instilling a mission-driven character through the powerful personal narratives they create. Research limitations/implications The author’s investigation has unveiled three notable limitations that merit further discussion. Firstly, he did not take into account participants’ gender as well as psychological and emotional factors. This omission could profoundly impact how individuals interpret and navigate their personal negative experiences, such as civil wars and genocide, or both. For instance, a female entrepreneur who has survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi may provide emotional and psychological insights and responses that may differ remarkably from those of a male or female entrepreneur from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, revealing the nuances influenced by gender. Secondly, this research categorized sub-Saharan African refugee entrepreneurs as a monolithic group, thereby diminishing the rich tapestry of cultural differences that could significantly affect their entrepreneurial endeavors. These cultural variations can shape drive, business practices and community support systems in ways that are vital to understanding their unique commitment and aspirations. Thirdly, this paper’s focus was confined to sub-Saharan refugee entrepreneurs who have endured the harrowing experiences of civil wars and genocide, or both, without juxtaposing their experiences with those of refugees who have not witnessed such personal negative experiences. A comparative analysis could illuminate key differences that hold valuable implications for policy and support initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience and success of these entrepreneurs and beyond. Furthermore, this study was conducted exclusively in the vibrant city of Portland, ME, and did not account for an array of contextual factors or alternative settings that could profoundly influence these individuals’ entrepreneurial endeavors. For instance, Portland’s distinctive cultural business landscape and specific policies geared toward refugee entrepreneurs could play a crucial role in shaping the creation, viability and growth of their business ventures. While this focus was a deliberate choice rooted in the paper’s research aims, existing literature (e.g. Brell et al., 2020; Desai et al., 2021; Heilbrunn et al., 2022; Kassab et al., 2022; Luseno and Kolade, 2023) has highlighted the significance of these contextual elements, even if they may not perfectly align with the specific context of sub-Saharan African refugee entrepreneurs. Practical implications This study presents five key implications for practice and future research. First, it offers valuable insights to facilitate research collaborations among academic entities, advocacy organizations for refugee entrepreneurs and government agencies to monitor the progress of refugee entrepreneurs from the inception of their ventures, yielding insights into the lasting effects of civil wars and genocide, or both, on their business outcomes. For example, such collaboration could lead to the establishment of national or regional databases where refugee entrepreneurs willingly share their business progress. These findings could help customize future programs to address emerging needs, such as managing posttraumatic stress, adjusting business models or building resilience-driven businesses. Second, this study contributes to the development of mentorship initiatives where successful entrepreneurs, ideally those who share similar backgrounds, offer guidance on overcoming deeply personal setbacks and transforming them into a creative force to create, navigate business challenges and scale up their business ventures. Entrepreneurial organizations could host networking events that facilitate the exchange of ideas among refugee entrepreneurs from varied conflict backgrounds, nurturing a sense of community and support. For instance, these organizations might create “Refugee Entrepreneur Sparks” that connect newcomers with mentors who comprehend the personal effects of personal negative experiences, such as civil wars and genocide, or both. Such networking platforms would allow refugee entrepreneurs to share resilience stories, enhancing emotional resilience and business collaboration. Third, this study lays the groundwork for promoting comparative studies on refugee entrepreneurship, examining how personal negative experiences, such as civil wars and genocide, or both, influence entrepreneurship across different host regions. Policymakers could encourage research that investigates how refugee entrepreneurs from war-torn backgrounds (e.g. those from sub-Saharan Africa, Ukraine or Afghanistan) tackle similar challenges. Fourthly, this study aims to enhance awareness and education about refugee entrepreneurship among both the public and policymakers, highlighting the unique potential of refugee entrepreneurs, particularly those impacted by civil wars and genocide, or both. By fostering this awareness, we can dismantle negative stereotypes and garner support for programs designed for this group of entrepreneurs. For instance, organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Bank, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local NGOs can host global events to showcase the innovative business ideas of refugee entrepreneurs, illustrating their potential economic contributions to host countries. Social implications Fourthly, this study aims to enhance awareness and education about refugee entrepreneurship among both the public and policymakers, highlighting the unique potential of refugee entrepreneurs, particularly those impacted by civil wars and genocide, or both. By fostering this awareness, we can dismantle negative stereotypes and garner support for programs designed for this group of entrepreneurs. For instance, organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Bank, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local NGOs can host global events to showcase the innovative business ideas of refugee entrepreneurs, illustrating their potential economic contributions to host countries. Originality/value A substantial portion of the empirical research on refugee entrepreneurship has mainly investigated theories related to socio-economic constraints and resources that influence the success or failure of refugee entrepreneurs. These considerations include identifying market niches, adapting to local demand, innovating, securing startup funding, leveraging social networks and maneuvering through difficult regulatory environments (Brell et al., 2020; Desai et al., 2021; Evansluong, 2016; Heilbrunn et al., 2022; Kassab et al., 2022). However, these studies, along with many others (e.g. Clevenger et al., 2014; Luseno and Kolade, 2023), often overlook the influence of personal negative experiences, such as exposure to civil wars and genocide, or both. This research addresses this gap by exploring how these personal negative experiences shape business pursuits among refugee entrepreneurs from postconflict sub-Saharan Africa. The primary questions guiding this research are: In what ways do these personal negative experiences shape entrepreneurial endeavors, such as business initiation among individuals who have directly witnessed such experiences? How do these personal negative experiences contribute to shaping personal stories and strong character development among these individuals? In-person interviews with refugee entrepreneurs from Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and the Republic of the Congo were conducted in Portland, Maine, to address this notable gap in the exis