20076: Toward a Theory of Identity Reconstruction: Refugee Entrepreneurship as Pathway to Social Inclusion (session 25906)

We theorize how forcibly displaced individuals navigate identity reconstruction through entrepreneurship, emphasizing its transformative potential beyond mere economic survival. Drawing on an in-depth qualitative analysis of Tibetan refugee entrepreneurs, the research identifies a three-stage entrepreneurial identity reconstruction process: (1) Preservation: Focusing on sustaining disrupted identities. (2) Exploration: Experimenting with new identities to seek inclusion in host societies. (3) Consolidation: Integrating preservation and exploration. The findings explain the movement between these stages by delineating the impact of identity goals, validation needs, and entrepreneurial ventures on identity reconstruction. We propose a theory of identity reconstruction that conceptualizes it as a non-linear, fluid, and dynamic process marked by periods of equilibrium, stagnation, and breakdowns, which provides insights into the complexities of how individuals may progress, pause, or retreat during the reconstruction process. Additionally, the study contributes to a broader theoretical understanding of identity tensions in constrained contexts, positioning entrepreneurship as a powerful mechanism for navigating identity reconstruction.  Overall, we advance research by illuminating the interplay between identity, entrepreneurship, and its manifestations within marginalized populations.

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