SOMALI DIASPORA - Entrepreneurial Landscape in Denmark

Somalisk diaspora - Iværksættermiljø i Danmark

Elmi, Nawal Abubakar Sheik Jalil

4. Semester

Economics and Business Administration (International Business), Master

2024

2024-06-03

68

This thesis examines the entrepreneurial landscape of the Somali diaspora in Denmark and addresses the research question of how cultural, social, and institutional factors shape the success of Somali entrepreneurs, and what dynamics differentiate their experiences from other immigrant groups. Drawing on qualitative interviews with key figures (Nuuradiin S. Hussein, Mahad Yusuf, and Abdirahman Mohamud Iidle) and guided by social capital, cultural and economic theories—alongside the Business Model Canvas—the study identifies major barriers, including systemic racism, financial constraints, and educational challenges. Findings underscore the need for improved access to capital, community-based support networks, and tailored educational programs. In contrast to the Turkish diaspora, which benefits from established social networks and stronger cultural integration, the analysis highlights the importance of more inclusive policies and support mechanisms to reduce disparities in entrepreneurial outcomes. The thesis contributes to the understanding of diaspora entrepreneurship and provides practical recommendations for policymakers, as well as directions for future research that broadens the scope and evaluates the long-term impacts of tailored support.

Dette speciale undersøger det entreprenørskabslandskab blandt den somaliske diaspora i Danmark og adresserer forskningsspørgsmålet: hvordan kulturelle, sociale og institutionelle faktorer former somaliske iværksætteres succes, og hvilke dynamikker adskiller deres erfaringer fra andre indvandrergrupper. Med udgangspunkt i kvalitative interviews med nøglepersoner (Nuuradiin S. Hussein, Mahad Yusuf og Abdirahman Mohamud Iidle) og med teoretiske rammer som social kapital, kulturelle og økonomiske teorier – samt anvendelse af Business Model Canvas – identificerer studiet centrale barrierer, herunder systemisk racisme, økonomiske begrænsninger og uddannelsesmæssige udfordringer. Fundene fremhæver betydningen af bedre adgang til kapital, stærke fællesskabsbaserede støttenetværk og målrettede uddannelsesprogrammer. I en kontrast til den tyrkiske diaspora, der drager fordel af etablerede sociale netværk og stærkere kulturel integration, peger analysen på behovet for mere inkluderende politikker og støtteordninger, der kan udligne forskellene i iværksættersucces. Specialet bidrager til forståelsen af diaspora-iværksætteri og giver praktiske anbefalinger til beslutningstagere samt forslag til videre forskning, der udvider fokus til flere indvandrergrupper og vurderer langsigtede effekter af skræddersyet støtte.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]

Somali Diaspora ; Entrepreneurial success ; Cultural factors ; Social integration ; Institutional suppor ; Immigrant entrepreneurship ; Systemic barriers ; Community networks. ; Denmark

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