The impact of the international crisis on the entrepreneurial intentions of refugees

Abstract

Purpose

We investigate the entrepreneurial intentions of a population under crisis — namely, recent Syrian refugees in Jordan — and Jordanian citizens to start small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a structured two-part survey, data were collected through online self-reported questionnaires in which respondents subjectively reported self-perceptions. The first part dealt with respondents’ characteristics and the second with their entrepreneurial intentions. The survey took place in Jordan, sampling Jordanian citizens and Syrian refugees. A nonprobability sampling technique was used to collect the data.

Findings

The results show that net desirability for self-employment, tolerance for risk and self-efficacy are related to entrepreneurial intentions. We find significant differences between the Syrian refugees and the Jordanian citizens in terms of risk-taking and self-efficacy as determinants of engagement in entrepreneurial activities.

Originality/value

This study offers guidance to institutions working with refugees during times of crisis. Implications are discussed.

Citation

Welsh, D.H.B., Othman, D., Alserhan, B., Zeqiri, J., Al-Madadha, A. and Ramadani, V. (2022), "The impact of the international crisis on the entrepreneurial intentions of refugees", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 28 No. 3, pp. 720-740. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-02-2021-0150