11/09/2021
By Jason Carter

The Global Studies program invites you to the dissertation defense of Masachs Boungou.
Date: Nov. 22, 2021
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Dugan Hall Room 204
Title: Exploring the Influence of Conflict Experiences in Understanding the Nexus of Entrepreneurialism, Personality Traits and Personal Stories among Sub-Saharan African Immigrants

Committee Chair: Professor Deina Abdelkader

Committee Members:

  • Assoc. Prof. Urmitapa Dutta
  • Assoc. Prof. Elizabeth Bifuh-Ambe 


Abstract:
This qualitative research study grounds phenomenology as a methodology to understand the experiences of sub-Saharan African immigrants from post-conflict countries who are successful entrepreneurs in Portland, Maine (ME). These countries include Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. Specifically, this exploratory study examines how these immigrants connect their previous adversities of civil war and/or genocide to their business creation, what stories they tell themselves related to those adverse experiences, what meanings they assign to them, and whether these experiences serve as a strategic tool for them to anticipate overcoming/managing future business challenges.

The findings of this research study result from the narrative analysis of 24 in-depth interviews with these above-identified immigrants. The results demonstrate that experienced adversities of civil war and/or genocide are de facto factors in creating businesses, in building self-identity through personal story, and in being used as a reference to anticipate handling future business challenges. These findings have multiple implications for various audiences. First, this qualitative research study can be beneficial for new individual and budding entrepreneurs to understand how adversities such as civil war and/or genocide can play a critical role in shaping personal frames of reference and can be a competitive advantage in entrepreneurial experience. Second, this qualitative research study can inform business consultants, non-profit organizations, and profit-organizations seeking to expand their market investment to immigrants from post-conflict countries by understanding how these immigrants’ strengths can be transferred to business success. Third, this qualitative research study offers opportunities for the research community to understand and explore how past experiences of civil war and/or genocide can provide insights for further research studies.