Motivating Prosocial Venturing in Response to a Humanitarian Crisis: Building Theory From the Refugee Crisis in Germany. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mittermaier, Alexandra; Patzelt, Holger; Shepherd, Dean A.
• Other Names: Batjargal Bat guest-editor.; Jack Sarah guest-editor.; Mickiewicz Tomasz guest-editor.; Stam Erik guest-editor.; Stam Wouter guest-editor.; Wennberg Karl guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Entrepreneurship theory and practice. Volume 47:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 924
• Page End: 963
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: crisis -- prosocial venturing -- compassion -- venture purpose -- motivation -- suffering alleviation; Small business -- Periodicals; New business enterprises -- Periodicals; Entrepreneurship -- Periodicals; 658.421
• DOI: 10.1177/10422587211025233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-2587

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.