A Resource-Based Perspective on Refugee Start-up Consulting in Germany

From the perspective of the resource-based view (Barney, 1991; Peteraf, 1993), this study presents a multi-level analysis of support structures from the start-up consulting landscape for refugees in Germany. Based on qualitative content analysis of 31 grant proposals submitted during a funding contest for refugee start-up consulting projects and interviews with participants, the study reveals existing and envisaged support structures for refugees when pursuing self-employment. Incorporating extant literature on start-up consulting for refugees and migrants as well as on classical evaluation criteria of pitch contests and incubators, common patterns are delineated. Resources, opportunities and hurdles of migrant self-employment and refugees are identified, which share commonalities but also stark differences. Consequent policy recommendations and an integrated model for successful refugee startup consulting will be developed.