Refugee Constrained Entrepreneurship – The Emergence of a Liquid Cage

This conceptual paper explores the adaptability of Max Weber’s works on rationality and the Iron Cage of rationality (ICR) in the context of refugee entrepreneurship. We consider restricted entrepreneurship under superimposed conditions. We connect to literature from the fields of entrepreneurship and organisational studies to understand refugees’ engagement in entrepreneurship. The paper offers a conceptualisation of a more liquid cage whereby refugees focus on their skills and expertise, whilst also considering contextual opportunities in order to engage in entrepreneurship outside the restrictive institutions. The paper’s contribution is highlighted through developing better understanding of restricted entrepreneurship in refugees’ under-investigated context, whilst focusing on how Weber’s ICR can be adapted to understand refugee entrepreneurship as a more contextualised phenomenon.