Immigrant entrepreneurship is a vital dynamic that fosters economic growth, enhances cultural diversity, and strengthens social integration. Within this framework, the primary objective of this study is to examine the business strategies, opportunities, and challenges faced by Turkish immigrant entrepreneurs in post-Soviet independent Kyrgyzstan. Furthermore, it aims to explore the dynamics of immigrant entrepreneurship in this specific context and contribute to the "Mixed Embeddedness" theory. This theory posits that the success of immigrant entrepreneurs depends not only on their individual efforts but also on the relationships they establish with the social networks and economic structures they inhabit. Especially in economies with unstable institutional frameworks, such as post-independence Kyrgyzstan, immigrants develop their business strategies by leveraging social networks and diaspora ties.
In this challenging environment, Turkish entrepreneurs navigate both economic opportunities and structural obstacles. To analyze this process, the study investigates how Turkish immigrant entrepreneurs utilize ethnic and cultural capital—such as social capital and cultural proximity—and how they develop strategies to overcome barriers created by institutional voids.
Project Coordinator: Asst. Prof. Dr. Murat AVCI
Project No: KTMU-BAP2025.SB.10
Project Duration: March 2025 – September 2026