A research on modern entrepreneurship in Turkey through Orhan Kemal's novel The Ragman and His Sons

Although literature and economics are generally regarded as distinct disciplines, literary works are seen to reflect the economic, social, and political structures of the periods in which they were written. Novels convey not only individual stories but also elements such as modes of production, class relations, understandings of entrepreneurship, and economic mentality within their narrative structures. In this sense, literary works constitute an important source for understanding economic structures and social transformations. In this study, the concept of entrepreneurship is examined in detail within the framework of findings related to the period, inspired by Orhan Kemal's novel "The Ragman and His Sons". Within the scope of the research, factors such as mechanization in agriculture, the process of industrialization, labor–capital relations, the structure of small tradesmen, and family entrepreneurship are analyzed. The family factor influencing the entrepreneurial process within the novel's plot, intergenerational conflicts, lack of capital, poor planning, lack of experience, and productivity problems are also examined. As a result of the research, it is determined that entrepreneurship in the novel is not merely an individual effort; rather, it is directly related to family structure, cultural values, the economic conditions of the period, capital shortages, and intergenerational differences. It is concluded that family entrepreneurship plays a decisive role in entrepreneurship, and that an authoritarian family structure limits individuals' decision-making processes and innovative initiatives. In addition, factors such as unplanned actions, lack of market research, and insufficient experience are found to negatively affect the entrepreneurial process. Moreover, "The Ragman and His Sons" can be considered an important literary work that reflects the entrepreneurial understanding and economic mentality of the period in which it was written. Within this framework, by drawing attention to the power of literary works to reflect economic and social processes, a new perspective on entrepreneurship is introduced within the context of the relationship between literature and economics. This study was structured within the framework of qualitative research methodology, and text analysis and descriptive analysis methods were used in the analysis of the data.