Maletzky de García, M.; Ortlieb, R. & Knappert, L. (2026). Employing refugees. Between paternalism and empowerment. In: Wilmot, N.V. & Gaibrois, C. (Eds). The Routledge companion to cross-cultural management. 2nd ed. New York & London: Routledge: 292-302. DOI: 10.4324/9781003477723-31
Abstract
The employment of refugees is an important topic for politics and management practice due to the increasing number of international refugees worldwide. This chapter explores the challenges and contextual influences on refugee employment throughout the phases of arrival, job search and workplace inclusion. It illustrates how refugee employment operates within the tension between paternalism and empowerment. Many practices designed to foster refugee employment exhibit an inherent paternalism linked to asymmetrical power relations. In the worst cases, this can lead to reduced self-confidence and diminished self-determination among refugees. Consequently, refugees often cannot realise their full potential, which is problematic not only for the refugees themselves, but also for economies and individual employers. Adopting a constructive approach to cross-cultural management, we argue that a stronger focus on empowerment can create a win-win situation for refugees and employers alike.