Immigrant Entrepreneurship and Dynamics of Being (Dis)Advantaged: An Exploratory Multi-Case Study of Eastern European Origin Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Nordic Context

This chapter focuses on the interlink between immigrant entrepreneurs, the gig economy, and the dynamics of being (dis)advantaged in a developed European economy’s (Denmark) context. Based on in-depth qualitative case studies of eight (8) gig economy entrepreneurs originally from Eastern European countries Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, and Slovakia, we found that being (dis)advantaged immigrant entrepreneurs is not that black and white phenomenon. We further found that most entrepreneurial ventures were started due to the inability of the immigrant to find a job in the area of his study or interest, mostly due to barriers to entry into the labor market. Significant differences in the dynamics of being disadvantaged based on sector of gig economy operations, where in highly skilled sectors, this phenomenon was less visible. We also found that ease of doing business in Denmark and available help for entrepreneurship played a key role in the start and later growth of gig economy entrepreneurial ventures of these immigrant entrepreneurs. Finally, the case respondents highlighted that despite certain prejudices that may lead to a disadvantaged position, language skills, as well as a supportive institutional framework, play an important role in diluting those influences.