Navigating liability of foreignness : lived experiences of struggle and failure among Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurs in Finland
Jafrin, Sadia (2026)
2026
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051010710
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2026051010710
Tiivistelmä
This thesis explores the experiences of Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurs in Finland, focusing on struggle, stagnation, and business failure. It examines how structural barriers, liability of foreignness, and different forms of capital shape entrepreneurial journeys.
The study uses a qualitative approach based on seven semi-structured interviews with Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurs from different sectors in Finland. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.
The findings show that regulation, language barriers, limited access to finance, weak market access, and trust-related challenges strongly affect business development. Un-equal access to economic, social, cultural, and symbolic capital also shaped different business outcomes, including survival under pressure, stagnation, adaptation, and partial exit. Although resilience and community support helped participants continue, they were often not enough to overcome deeper structural challenges.
The study contributes to understanding Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurship in Finland and shows that entrepreneurial outcomes are better seen as ongoing processes rather than simple success or failure.
The study uses a qualitative approach based on seven semi-structured interviews with Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurs from different sectors in Finland. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.
The findings show that regulation, language barriers, limited access to finance, weak market access, and trust-related challenges strongly affect business development. Un-equal access to economic, social, cultural, and symbolic capital also shaped different business outcomes, including survival under pressure, stagnation, adaptation, and partial exit. Although resilience and community support helped participants continue, they were often not enough to overcome deeper structural challenges.
The study contributes to understanding Bangladeshi immigrant entrepreneurship in Finland and shows that entrepreneurial outcomes are better seen as ongoing processes rather than simple success or failure.