Aspiring Migrant Entrepreneurs in Germany—Potentials and Pitfalls in the Start-Up Process

Research question/goal: 

Previous studies have shown that migrant entrepreneurs are a valuable contribution to the economy of their host countries. Furthermore, self-employment is a means for migrants to achieve upward social mobility. However, a number of formal and informal hurdles must be overcome to become self-employed, which often prevent migrants from fully developing their potential as entrepreneurs. In this study, we apply a mixed-methods approach (qualitative interviews with institutional and financial experts as well as migrant entrepreneurs and a quantitative analysis of survey data) to examine the potential of migrant entrepreneurs in Germany and the specific problems they are facing in the start-up process.

Current stage: 

In 2022, work in the project focussed on two areas: First, we prepared the technical details for a field experiment that examines the factors influencing whether entrepreneurs and banks start a business relationship. Second, we started conducting a systematic review and analysis of existing literature on the potential differential treatment of various groups of individuals and entrepreneurs in lending processes from banks and other financial institutions. Both activities are preparatory to a funding proposal, which we plan to submit to the DFG or Fritz-Thyssen-Stiftung in 2023.

Fact sheet

Funding: 
MZES
Duration: 
2019 to 2023
Status: 
in preparation
Data Sources: 
Field experiments, interviews
Geographic Space: 
Germany, with possible extension to other European countries later

Publications

Conference Presentations

Sajons, Christoph, Mariel Leonard and Omar Flayyih (2020): Attitudes and political positions of migrants from the Middle East and the “Conservatism paradox”. [International Workshop on Immigration, Integration and Attitudes, Mannheim, September 22nd to September 23rd, 2020] more
Sajons, Christoph (2020): Auswirkungen der Corona-Pandemie auf Gründungen. Selbstständige und Unternehmen mit Migrationshintergrund. [MEGA - Migrant Entrepreneurship Growth Agenda National Meeting Germany, (virtual), November 10th, 2020] more