Responding to financing uncertainty in complex settings: the case of immigrant entrepreneurs from the Arab world in Sweden

Abstract

This paper investigates the financing decisions of immigrant entrepreneurs (IEs) in complex settings in host countries, where uncertainties surrounding access to finance persist. While previous studies have acknowledged the presence of financing barriers, they have not sufficiently explained how IEs manage to sustain their entrepreneurial activities. To address this gap, this study presents a dynamic analysis of the financing decision-making process of IEs based on qualitative data gathered from 30 interviews with IEs from the Arab world residing and operating in Sweden. Findings reveal a three-phase decision-making process influenced by situational and dispositional factors. Additionally, the study captures distinct patterns of financing choices made by IEs when confronting uncertainty in complex settings. Specifically, it captures a behavioural aspect of being financially ‘ambidextrous’ or ‘non-ambidextrous’ across multiple contexts.