Towards conceptualising refugee entrepreneur/ship

Refugee entrepreneurship emerged as a distinct area of inquiry, delving into the complex relationship between experiences of conflict, forced displacement, and entrepreneurial behaviour. However, an inconsistent and fragmented literature that lacks a unified understanding hinders this emerging stream. To tackle this issue, this chapter engages in a scholarly endeavour to conceptualise refugee entrepreneurship and define its research scope. Drawing on refugee theories and a wealth of related literature, we present an approach that encapsulates the unique aspects of refugee entrepreneurship. This approach takes into account the diversity of refugee entrepreneurs and the phenomenon’s contextual heterogeneity and temporality linked to refugees’ legal status and life circumstances. Our proposed conceptualisation lays the groundwork for an ontological foundation in refugee entrepreneurship research and delineates the boundary conditions for empirical studies, furthering scholarly efforts to establish a viable research stream. Additionally, this understanding informs policies and programmes aimed at supporting refugee entrepreneurs.