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

Authors

Sabina Kubiciel-Lodzińska, Opole University of Technology, PolandFollow
Jolanta Maj, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, PolandFollow

Abstract

Qualitative research with entrepreneurs employing migrant workers poses significant challenges, particularly in recruiting respondents willing to discuss sensitive topics. This study explores an innovative method to overcome these barriers by engaging entrepreneurs through community-centered social initiatives. Specifically, we examine the "Opole Friendly Company for Migrants" project, a socially innovative competition conducted in the Opolskie Voivodeship from 2020 to 2024. The competition had two main goals. Firstly, it was aimed to foster participation in qualitative research by integrating respondents into a broader, socially meaningful context. The second goal was fostering community integration. The competition highlighted the role of entrepreneurs in supporting community integration, motivating their involvement and trust. As a result of this project, over 20 individual in-depth interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs who voluntarily participated in the research, independent of their involvement in the competition. Quantitative data has been collected, and a “Best Practices” report has been developed. This "social project-embedded method" leverages the dual functions of a participatory, project-based approach: facilitating access to hard-to-reach respondents and encouraging them to share detailed insights, even on sensitive issues. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of embedding qualitative research within socially significant projects to engage entrepreneurs and obtain valuable, nuanced data

Keywords

migrant, employers, participatory research, project-based research, action research

Author Bio(s)

Sabina Kubiciel-Lodzińska is an Associate Professor at Opole University of Technology. She focuses on the relationships between mobility and the labor market, migrants’ entrepreneurship, migrant adaptation, their role within organizations, and migration policy. She also collaborates on analyses related to the use of artificial intelligence as a tool to support decision-making concerning migrants. She is a member of the Committee for Migration Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences and collaborates with local government institutions and NGOs. ORCID: 0000-0002-5465-6967 Please direct correspondence to s.kubiciel-lodzinska@po.edu.pl

Jolanta Maj is an Assistant Professor at Wrocław University of Science and Technology, specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizational contexts. Her research explores the experiences of independent workers, migrants, and refugees, with a focus on inclusive workplace practices and stakeholder dynamics. She holds a PhD in political science with a specialization in gender equality policy in the EU. Beyond academia, she contributes as a scientific consultant and editor, and collaborates with public institutions and NGOs on projects related to labor market integration and social responsibility. ORCID: 0000-0001-5542-0713 Please direct correspondence to jolanta.maj@pwr.edu.pl

Publication Date

10-24-2025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2025.8431

Recommended APA Citation

Kubiciel–Lodzińska, S., & Maj, J. (2025). Participatory, project-based approach to migrant employment research: Engaging entrepreneurs through social innovation. The Qualitative Report, 30(10), 4456-4469. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2025.8431

ORCID ID

0000-0002-5465-6967