Origins and development of Turkish entrepreneurship in Germany

Kazım Kılınç

Article Details

Origins and development of Turkish entrepreneurship in Germany

Authors:

Kazım Kılınç

Publisher:

Istanbul Ticaret University

Main Topics:

Ekonomik Entegrasyon

Journal:

İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.24 Issue Özel Sayı - İnovasyon ve Girişimcilik, pp.67-99

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344451

pISSN:

1303-5495

Keywords:

Abstract:

 In the early 1960s, some of the Turkish workers who migrated to Germany eventually overcame the challenges of their working conditions by establishing their own businesses, becoming entrepreneurs, and securing a permanent place in the country. Today, over 100,000 Turkish enterprises operate across various sectors in Germany, ranging from grocery stores and restaurants to textiles, tourism, food, and construction. This study analyses the role of Turkish businesses in the German economy and the synergy they have created between the two nations. This article examines the entrepreneurial journey of Turks in Germany, which began with small businesses and eventually expanded into large-scale enterprises. It explores the sources of motivation that have driven Turkish entrepreneurs, as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem they have built. Additionally, the study evaluates the historical background of Turkish entrepreneurship and its current significance. In this study, a collection of research on the activities in various sectors and economic power of Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany were scanned by means of existing literature. An assessment was performed through utilization of data from reports prepared by various public and non-governmental organizations. Turkish workers have successfully transformed their hard-earned savings into capital for their businesses. Today, Turkish entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the German economy in terms of production, investment, and employment. What started as small businesses in the 1960s has now evolved into large-scale enterprises across various industries. Notably, Turkish entrepreneurs have established a strong presence in Germany, even surpassing Turkey itself in terms of business organization and structure. Turkish entrepreneurs have demonstrated an exemplary success story by establishing businesses in a foreign country where they were unfamiliar with the language and culture. Through production, investment, employment, and exports, they have built a strong presence in Germany. This success, however, is not coincidental. Economic policies, cultural factors, and political developments between the two countries have played a crucial role in shaping this outcome. The study stands out by discussing the various factors contributing to this success rather than merely presenting the achievements of Turkish entrepreneurs.

 In the early 1960s, some of the Turkish workers who migrated to Germany eventually overcame the challenges of their working conditions by establishing their own businesses, becoming entrepreneurs, and securing a permanent place in the country. Today, over 100,000 Turkish enterprises operate across various sectors in Germany, ranging from grocery stores and restaurants to textiles, tourism, food, and construction. This study analyses the role of Turkish businesses in the German economy and the synergy they have created between the two nations. This article examines the entrepreneurial journey of Turks in Germany, which began with small businesses and eventually expanded into large-scale enterprises. It explores the sources of motivation that have driven Turkish entrepreneurs, as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem they have built. Additionally, the study evaluates the historical background of Turkish entrepreneurship and its current significance. In this study, a collection of research on the activities in various sectors and economic power of Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany were scanned by means of existing literature. An assessment was performed through utilization of data from reports prepared by various public and non-governmental organizations. Turkish workers have successfully transformed their hard-earned savings into capital for their businesses. Today, Turkish entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the German economy in terms of production, investment, and employment. What started as small businesses in the 1960s has now evolved into large-scale enterprises across various industries. Notably, Turkish entrepreneurs have established a strong presence in Germany, even surpassing Turkey itself in terms of business organization and structure. Turkish entrepreneurs have demonstrated an exemplary success story by establishing businesses in a foreign country where they were unfamiliar with the language and culture. Through production, investment, employment, and exports, they have built a strong presence in Germany. This success, however, is not coincidental. Economic policies, cultural factors, and political developments between the two countries have played a crucial role in shaping this outcome. The study stands out by discussing the various factors contributing to this success rather than merely presenting the achievements of Turkish entrepreneurs.

 In the early 1960s, some of the Turkish workers who migrated to Germany eventually overcame the challenges of their working conditions by establishing their own businesses, becoming entrepreneurs, and securing a permanent place in the country. Today, over 100,000 Turkish enterprises operate across various sectors in Germany, ranging from grocery stores and restaurants to textiles, tourism, food, and construction. This study analyses the role of Turkish businesses in the German economy and the synergy they have created between the two nations. This article examines the entrepreneurial journey of Turks in Germany, which began with small businesses and eventually expanded into large-scale enterprises. It explores the sources of motivation that have driven Turkish entrepreneurs, as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem they have built. Additionally, the study evaluates the historical background of Turkish entrepreneurship and its current significance. In this study, a collection of research on the activities in various sectors and economic power of Turkish entrepreneurs in Germany were scanned by means of existing literature. An assessment was performed through utilization of data from reports prepared by various public and non-governmental organizations. Turkish workers have successfully transformed their hard-earned savings into capital for their businesses. Today, Turkish entrepreneurs make significant contributions to the German economy in terms of production, investment, and employment. What started as small businesses in the 1960s has now evolved into large-scale enterprises across various industries. Notably, Turkish entrepreneurs have established a strong presence in Germany, even surpassing Turkey itself in terms of business organization and structure. Turkish entrepreneurs have demonstrated an exemplary success story by establishing businesses in a foreign country where they were unfamiliar with the language and culture. Through production, investment, employment, and exports, they have built a strong presence in Germany. This success, however, is not coincidental. Economic policies, cultural factors, and political developments between the two countries have played a crucial role in shaping this outcome. The study stands out by discussing the various factors contributing to this success rather than merely presenting the achievements of Turkish entrepreneurs.

 1960ların başlarında Almanyaya işçi olarak giden Türklerin bir bölümü, sonraki dönemlerde şartların zorlaması ile işyeri açarak kendi işinin patronu olmuş ve bu ülkede kalıcı hale gelmiştir. Bugün Almanyada bakkallıkmarketçilikten restoranlara, tekstilden turizme, gıdadan inşaat sektörüne kadar değişik alanlarda 100 binin üzerinde Türk işletmesi faaliyet göstermektedir. Bu çalışmada Türk işletmelerinin Alman ekonomisindeki konumu ve iki ülke arasında oluşturduğu sinerji analiz edilecektir. Bu makalede, Almanyada esnaflıkla başlattıkları girişimcilik sürecini dev işletmelere dönüştürmeyi başaran Türklerin motivasyon kaynakları ve oluşturdukları girişimcilik ekosistemi ele alınacaktır. Tarihsel bir değerlendirmenin ardından, Türk iş dünyasının günümüzdeki boyutları değerlendirilecektir. Çalışmada, Türk girişimcilerin Almanyada çeşitli sektörlerdeki faaliyetleri ve ekonomik gücüyle ilgili yapılan araştırmalar, mevcut literatür yoluyla taranmıştır. Çeşitli kamu ve sivil toplum kuruluşları tarafından hazırlanan raporlardaki veriler kullanılarak değerlendirme yapılmıştır. Buna göre, Türk işçilerinin büyük zorluklarla edindikleri tasarruflarını, şirketleri için sermayeye dönüştürmeyi başardıkları görülmektedir. Türk girişimcileri bugün üretim, yatırım ve istihdam açısından Alman ekonomisine büyük bir katkı sağlamaktadır. Almanyada yaklaşık 60 yıl önce ağır işçilik olarak başlayan Türk girişimciliği, bugün hemen her sektörde dev işletmeler haline gelmiştir. Başka bir ifadeyle Türk girişimciler, girişimcilikte örnek teşkil edecek bir yapı kurmayı başarmış ve Almanyada Türkiyenin etkili bir lobi gücü olmuştur. Türkler, dilini ve kültürünü bilmedikleri bir ülkede işletmeler kurmak suretiyle üretim, yatırım, istihdam ve ihracat gerçekleştirerek Türk girişimciliğinde örnek bir başarı sergilemiştir. Başarı bununla da sınırlı değildir. İki ülke arasındaki ticaret, turizm ve siyasi ilişkilerin geliştirilmesinde de önemli bir rol oynamıştır. Bu başarı tablosunda büyük payı bulunan faktörlerin tartışılması, çalışmayı farklı kılmaktadır.

Article Details

Origins and development of Turkish entrepreneurship in Germany

Authors:

Kazım Kılınç

Publisher:

Istanbul Ticaret University

Main Topics:

Ekonomik Entegrasyon

Journal:

İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.24 Issue Özel Sayı - İnovasyon ve Girişimcilik, pp.67-99

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344451

pISSN:

1303-5495

Entrepreneurship

Germany

Turkish entrepreneurs

German economyAlmanya

Girişimcilik

Türk girişimciler

Alman ekonomisi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Kazım Kılınç

Publisher: Istanbul Ticaret University

Main Topics: Ekonomik Entegrasyon

Journal: İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.24 Issue Özel Sayı - İnovasyon ve Girişimcilik, pp.67-99

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001344451

pISSN: 1303-5495

Issues

Authors:

Kazım Kılınç

Publisher:

Istanbul Ticaret University

Main Topics:

Ekonomik Entegrasyon

Journal:

İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.24 Issue Özel Sayı - İnovasyon ve Girişimcilik, pp.67-99

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001344451

pISSN:

1303-5495