The Role of Entrepreneurial Leadership and Community Networks in Empowering Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs in Hungary

This study examines the extent to which entrepreneurial leadership and community networking function effectively to empower Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in Hungary. As a Master's student in management and leadership (and striving to succeed as an entrepreneur in a foreign country), my final research thesis choice was inspired to do research for a small but well-educated Sri Lankan community in Hungary, with entrepreneurial ambitions. Sri Lankans are currently traveling to Hungary for educational and professional development purposes. My studies taught me that many community members are willing to become entrepreneurs if given the right opportunities. No previous research has examined how much their leadership skills and community networks contribute to entrepreneurial success. I chose this study to address this gap, and data were collected using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were collected from 98 Sri Lankan respondents through a Google Forms questionnaire. In contrast, qualitative data were collected from five Sri Lankan individuals looking to establish businesses in Hungary through semi-structured interview analysis. This study aimed to assess the extent to which entrepreneurial leadership and community support can motivate and empower these Sri Lankan potential entrepreneurs toward their business goals. The findings highlighted that strong community networks and leadership abilities can significantly influence entrepreneurial aspirations and success. This research contributed to understanding how foreign communities, especially Sri Lankans can utilize leadership and networking to establish businesses in a foreign country. I also hope to provide insights for policymakers and support organizations in Hungary