Self-regulation, micro-foundations and migrant entrepreneurs’ capacities for resilience

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, using regulatory focus theory (RFT), we adopt a micro-foundational approach to illuminate how migrant entrepreneurs develop forms of resilience within a small firm context. Conceptually we showcase how the fusing of individual and organizational interactions enables the enactment of generative resilience capacities. Our empirical study involves a qualitative, interpretative approach encompassing sixty-one interviews with migrant entrepreneurs across three urban centres in the UK. The enactment of resilience capacities is activated through legitimacy building, network building and resource and capability development. Theoretically we underscore the role of accumulated agency, which aids migrant entrepreneurs to overcome existing structural challenges and in doing so, build resilience capacities. Our findings also reveal the temporal nature of resilience capacity building, involving real-time, retrospective and prospective actions. We offer theoretical contributions, practical implications and signpost directions for future research.