Engaging Entrepreneurs through Social Innovation: A Participatory, Project-Based Approach to Migrant Employment Research

Introduction:

Qualitative research involving entrepreneurs who employ migrant workers presents challenges, particularly in terms of recruiting respondents. Such individuals are frequently disinclined to divulge information about sensitive topics and therefore areas in which entrepreneurs may be hesitant to engage in discussion. The objective of this study was to identify an effective method to encourage their participation in qualitative research.

Goals & Methods

We present an innovative approach that engages entrepreneurs through social events that highlight their role and importance to the community. Such initiative is the Opole Friendly Company for Migrants project, a socially innovative competition conducted between 2020 and 2024 at the regional level (Opolskie Voivodeship). The objective was to motivate the participants to engage with the research study by participating in the competition. The initiative encouraged their participation in qualitative research and increased their willingness to share valuable insights.

Results

The objective of this presentation is to introduce our participatory, project-based approach as a method of fostering trust with respondents and obtaining valuable information. Consequently, over 20 individual in-depth interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs. The respondents were informed about the nature of the survey and were made aware that their participation was entirely voluntary and not contingent on their involvement in the competition.

Conclusions

The method proposed, which involves respondents becoming part of a broader, socially significant project, facilitates the recruitment of respondents who are otherwise difficult to reach, such as entrepreneurs. Furthermore, by participating in a larger initiative, respondents are more inclined to share detailed knowledge, even on issues that are sensitive to their businesses. The method is participatory and project-based. We define our research approach as a "social project-embedded method," which emphasises the project's function as a platform that facilitates the recruitment and engagement of hard-to-survey groups, such as entrepreneurs.