Imran SARIHASAN
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Political Sciences, International Trade and Business Department, Samsun, Türkiye
Abstract: This study explores how the challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs during times of economic stability were intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to demonstrate how the pandemic acted as an activator of pre-existing entrepreneurial barriers, making them more visible and impactful. A qualitative research approach was employed, based on in-depth online interviews with 16 immigrant entrepreneurs who had established businesses in Hungary between 2010 and 2019. This time frame was selected to focus on nascent immigrant enterprises that remained active during the COVID-19 crisis. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed to identify recurring barriers experienced both before and during the pandemic.The findings reveal that immigrant entrepreneurs in Hungary encounter multifaceted and persistent challenges, including limited access to financial capital, ethnonational discrimination, and difficulties in labor force recruitment. These barriers were present during periods of economic stability but were significantly exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic not only highlighted existing obstacles but also intensified their impact on the entrepreneurial activities of immigrants.The study suggests that such challenges may be common across different national contexts and that addressing these issues requires systemic changes. Specifically, efforts should focus on simplifying bureaucratic procedures and legal requirements for immigrant entrepreneurs, irrespective of their ethnic background. This research contributes to the limited but growing body of literature on immigrant entrepreneurship in crisis contexts. It expands our understanding of how crises can amplify structural inequalities and highlights the need for targeted policy interventions to support immigrant business owners, particularly in environments like Hungary’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Keywords: immigrant entrepreneurship, financial capital, pandemic, discrimination, qualitative research, Hungary
JEL classification: J6, J7, J10