Motivating Prosocial Venturing in Response to a Humanitarian Crisis: Building Theory From the Refugee Crisis in Germany

Alexandra Mittermaier,Dean A Shepherd,Holger Patzelt

doi:10.1177/10422587211025233

Alexandra Mittermaier, Dean A Shepherd + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1177/10422587211025233

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Abstract

In the context of the humanitarian refugee crisis in Germany, we conducted an 8-month qualitative study of prosocial ventures that emerged during this crisis to build a theory of motivation in prosocial venturing. We identified two venturing paths driven by founders’ distinct motivations. Founders motivated by others’ suffering focused on rescuing refugees, following an execution-oriented approach, and scaling their activities to meet victims’ short-run needs. Founders motivated by entrepreneurial aspirations focused on building an organization, following a foundation-oriented approach, and customizing activities to meet victims’ long-run needs. This study contributes to prosocial venturing and crisis research.

Highlights

In the context of the humanitarian refugee crisis in Germany, we conducted an 8-m onth qualitative study of prosocial ventures that emerged during this crisis to build a theory of motivation in prosocial venturing
These studies have suggested that prosocial motivations can trigger founders’ intentions to engage in prosocial venturing, a theoretical debate has emerged as to whether extant work on individuals’ motivations for starting prosocial ventures has sufficiently considered the role of founders’ self-interest
Compassion serves as a motivational driver for prosocial venturing, scholars argue that founders may be motivated by prosocial and pro-s elf interests (Austin et al, 2006; Miller et al, 2012; Peredo & McLean, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

In the context of the humanitarian refugee crisis in Germany, we conducted an 8-m onth qualitative study of prosocial ventures that emerged during this crisis to build a theory of motivation in prosocial venturing. Humanitarian crises threaten the lives of many and cause severe suffering for millions of people worldwide (Bundy et al, 2017; Drabek & McEntire, 2003; Quarantelli, 1993; Williams et al, 2017) In these contexts, new prosocial ventures often emerge to alleviate the suffering of those affected (Farny et al, 2019; Majchrzak et al, 2007; Shepherd & Williams, 2014; Williams & Shepherd, 2016a, 2016b). Our inductive theorizing from the data resulted in a theoretical framework explaining how founders’ distinct motivations shape different approaches to prosocial venturing to alleviate suffering

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