Entrepreneurism among the refugee community in Middle Tennessee in 2013

by

Abstract

This study aims to determine strategies and techniques that can promote entrepreneurship in the refugee community of Tennessee. There is an increase in the number of immigrants in the region. A number of refugees are those who have left their country of origin because of the political and economic instabilities. The entrepreneurs from the refugee communities lack political and legal knowledge and do not have sufficient networks; therefore, they rely on their friends and family members for the development and success of their business. The refugee entrepreneurs face different challenges when starting a business. Hence, one of the techniques that can be used to encourage entrepreneurship is the removal of barriers. In order to promote entrepreneurship, essential training and skills can also be provided.

Table of Contents

ABSTRACTII

LITERATURE REVIEW1

Entrepreneurship1

Entrepreneurship in the Refugee Community, Middle Tennessee2

Challenges Faced by Immigrant Entrepreneurs10

Difference in the Approaches of Entrepreneurship13

Strategies to Promote Entrepreneurship in Tennessee Refugee Community14

REFERENCES16

LITERATURE REVIEW

Entrepreneurship

According to Hindle et al, (2005), Entrepreneurship is an advanced of field of study in the management sciences. However, the occurrence of entrepreneurship is not new. In fact, entrepreneurship is considered to be one of the oldest activities performed by the mankind. Entrepreneurship involves the identification of advanced business possibilities that always result in gains (Greblikaite, 2012). The word entrepreneur has its origin in a French word that was enterprendre. The meaning of this word is to undertake. Therefore, entrepreneur can be defined as a person who undertakes a business. Entrepreneur is one who creates and innovates an organisation (Gartner, 1990; Gartner et al., 2004).

Entrepreneurship is not only an economic phenomenon but also a cultural one. Entrepreneurial action is also a social action. It involves different the use of different symbols and values (Acs, 2008). According to the symbolic meanings of enterprise, it is pragmatic, shrewd, open-minded, and adventurous. The important features of entrepreneurship include accomplishment, initiative-taking, and risk-management (Dacin, Dacin & Matear, 2010).

The definition of entrepreneur has also been given from the point of view of economics. Entrepreneur is described as a person who brings something new to the economy. When defining entrepreneur, some researchers have also used different economic indicators including profit and growth. According to these definitions, entrepreneurship is a tool that helps in the reduction of poverty. Entrepreneurs are people who look for different economic opportunities that are profitable (Erikson, 2001).

Entrepreneurship is an activity; however, there are some studies where the definition of entrepreneurship has focused on its functional as well as operational characteristics (Dobele & Dobele, 2011; Geck, 2005;Mani, 2011). Entrepreneurship is the quest for opportunities according to the available resources. Some researchers have also described entrepreneurship as a human behaviour (Martin & Osberg, 2007). Entrepreneurship is a visionary behaviour that involves the utilisation of different resources in an organised manner. Entrepreneurial behaviour is associated with the utilisation of resources (Miller & Collier, 2010).

Entrepreneurship in the Refugee Community, Middle Tennessee

The increase in the number of businesses owned by immigrants has directed the attention of researchers towards this ...