Research project Opportunities and Obstacles:

Since 1999, more than 1 million immigrants have arrived in Sweden. Economic integration is one of the most important pathways for immigrant integration and inclusion into society. This project addresses some of the most significant challenges to maintaining social and economic sustainability in Sweden; sub-optimal integration of migrants into Swedish economic life. The project uses a newly released survey dataset on immigrants in Sweden, economic life course histories as well as expert interviews. Using a gendered critical entrepreneurship perspective, the aim of this project is to increase our understanding of the obstacles to women migrant entrepreneurship in Sweden, and to translate immigrant resources and skills into productive action, so that economic integration among migrant women will be improved. By focusing on the hidden resources, talents and capabilities of migrant women, we will identify an untapped resource in many Swedish regions. By understanding these issues in a complex, nuanced way and linking this understanding to policies, we contribute to more effective regional development and increased social cohesion. Our project has special relevance to rural and urban areas that struggle to promote economic development and at the same time experience substantial in-migration from non-Swedish backgrounds.