Conceptualising the value of refugee and migrant entrepreneurs in neoliberal Britain: the role of support organisations
Conceptualising the value of refugee and migrant entrepreneurs in neoliberal Britain: the role of support organisations
In a situation of declining state support for ethnic minority and migrant entrepreneurs (following the dismantling of initiatives such as Business Links under New Labour) and post-austerity service cuts, new actors outside mainstream providers are stepping in to offer support (Jones and Ram, 2012; Villares-Varela and Sheringham, 2020). This paper looks at the role of a wide range of support organisations (refugee third sector, faith-based organisations) in the provision of employment and business support for migrants and refugees. Drawing on qualitative interviews with workers in migrant and refugee support organisations and in faith-based organisations we investigate how these actors understand the significance of work and entrepreneurship for migrants and refugees, the valuation of their skills, and their broader economic and social contribution. Analysis of the narratives these actors construct around the barriers to labour market entry and importance of work for the integration of migrants/refugees, reveals tensions between a focus on inclusive and humanistic values and a neoliberal conceptualisation of the contribution of migrants and refugees to British society. This paper seeks to situate these understandings in the context of the unequal, marginalised, and frequently unwelcome, position that refugees and migrants occupy in contemporary British society. We contribute to debates on migrant entrepreneurship and business support (Ram et al. 2017) and the broader value of diversity and migrants’ work (Nathan 2015; Jones et al. 2018).
Low, Carolynn
468587a5-cd4a-4545-b60b-b79715bcad67
Villares-Varela, Maria
5e63e77d-525f-4196-8be8-e8c7db56eae1
3 April 2024
Low, Carolynn
468587a5-cd4a-4545-b60b-b79715bcad67
Villares-Varela, Maria
5e63e77d-525f-4196-8be8-e8c7db56eae1
Low, Carolynn and Villares-Varela, Maria
(2024)
Conceptualising the value of refugee and migrant entrepreneurs in neoliberal Britain: the role of support organisations.
BSA Virtual Annual Conference 2024: Crisis, Continuity and Change, , Virtual.
03 - 05 Apr 2024.
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Conference or Workshop Item
(Other)
Abstract
In a situation of declining state support for ethnic minority and migrant entrepreneurs (following the dismantling of initiatives such as Business Links under New Labour) and post-austerity service cuts, new actors outside mainstream providers are stepping in to offer support (Jones and Ram, 2012; Villares-Varela and Sheringham, 2020). This paper looks at the role of a wide range of support organisations (refugee third sector, faith-based organisations) in the provision of employment and business support for migrants and refugees. Drawing on qualitative interviews with workers in migrant and refugee support organisations and in faith-based organisations we investigate how these actors understand the significance of work and entrepreneurship for migrants and refugees, the valuation of their skills, and their broader economic and social contribution. Analysis of the narratives these actors construct around the barriers to labour market entry and importance of work for the integration of migrants/refugees, reveals tensions between a focus on inclusive and humanistic values and a neoliberal conceptualisation of the contribution of migrants and refugees to British society. This paper seeks to situate these understandings in the context of the unequal, marginalised, and frequently unwelcome, position that refugees and migrants occupy in contemporary British society. We contribute to debates on migrant entrepreneurship and business support (Ram et al. 2017) and the broader value of diversity and migrants’ work (Nathan 2015; Jones et al. 2018).
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Published date: 3 April 2024
Venue - Dates:
BSA Virtual Annual Conference 2024: Crisis, Continuity and Change, , Virtual, 2024-04-03 - 2024-04-05
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Local EPrints ID: 508489
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508489
PURE UUID: 346be2d3-8634-4e97-a01b-d52f37ab10f4
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Date deposited: 23 Jan 2026 17:39
Last modified: 24 Jan 2026 03:06
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Author:
Carolynn Low
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