Türkiye’deki Suriyeli Göçmelerin Girişimcilik Deneyimleri:Gaziantep Örneği

Abstract

In this study, entrepreneurship experiences of Syrian immigrants, who migrated to Turkey after the civil war in Syria, were examined and in this respect, the gap in the literature was aimed to be filled. For this purpose, entrepreneurship experiences of Syrian immigrants were analysed with the help of migration theories and approaches to entrepreneurship by encompassing some specific topics such as the pre-migration life experiences in Syria, migration processes and entrepreneurial experiences in Turkey. In this contex, entrepreneurship experiences of 30 male Syrian immigrant entrepreneurs working in the food industry in Gaziantep have been focused. Furthermore, the political, social, economic, cultural and historical factors, which forced the Syrians to migrate, have been discussed and their migration experiences, as well as their experiences in social and economic life in Turkey were included in this research. The reasons that led the Syrian immigrants to become entrepreneurs, their choice of industry, their resource of capital which was used to set up a business and their partnership relations were examined in the context of this research. Also, some points regarding the employee and customer profiles, employment preferences of the business entities, market structures and issues affecting the success of business were emphasized. In addition to this, some original findings related to current problems encountered in the business entities and the ideas of Syrian immigrants about going back to their country or staying in Turkey as a legal citizen were obtained. In the end, this study revealed that the civil war which took place in 2011, caused serious fractures in the lives of individuals and was the most determining factor of migration. It was also found that life experiences of Syrian immigrants and experiences of participation in economic life changed to some extent after migration. In addition, the Syrian immigrants’ entrepreneurial attempts had a positive effect on enhancing their social welfare. It also helped new bonds and networks to be created and the ties with the host country were strengthened. Finally, entrepreneurship experiences of Syrian immigrants have given them a chance to make a new start in Turkey and affected their choices about returning or staying. Despite the shortcomings in the legal and administrative areas and the different problems experienced in the economic sphere, it is seen that Syrian immigrants have built a unique ethnic market.