Researching the threat perceptions of Turkish entrepreneurs towards syrians: The case of Şanlıurfa

This study aims to examine the threat perceptions of Turkish entrepreneurs in Şanlıurfa toward Syrians. In addition to the main research question, "Do the threat perceptions of Turkish entrepreneurs in Şanlıurfa toward Syrians differ according to demographic variables?", the study also investigates whether the perceptions of economic, security, environmental, and cultural threats vary based on these variables. The study employed the "Perceptions of Threat Toward Syrians Scale" (SYTAÖ) developed by İbrahim Halil Sarı (2020). Data were collected using purposive sampling, and in this context, interviews were conducted with 386 Turkish entrepreneurs in Şanlıurfa in December 2024. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The findings reveal that demographic factors have significant effects on threat perceptions, indicating that gender, age, education level, entrepreneurship sector, length of residence in Şanlıurfa, negative experiences with Syrians, and perceived changes in business practices due to the presence of Syrians lead to variations in perceived threats. The study found that female participants reported higher levels of threat perception compared to males, particularly in the dimensions of security, environmental, and cultural threats. In terms of age, younger individuals (especially those aged 18–24) were found to have higher levels of threat perception than older participants. A higher level of education was associated with increased threat perceptions, especially regarding security and environmental threats. Income level, on the other hand, did not significantly affect threat perceptions. Among entrepreneurship sectors, a significant difference was observed only in environmental threat perception. Additionally, length of residence in Şanlıurfa was found to significantly affect perceptions of security and environmental threats. The study also observed that negative experiences with Syrians reinforced threat perceptions, and that changes in business practices attributed to the presence of Syrians further heightened these perceptions. The results show that women have higher threat perceptions, young individuals are more anxious about security and cultural threats, and higher education levels increase threat perceptions. Additionally, it was observed that negative experiences with Syrians reinforced threat perceptions and that the presence of Syrians, leading to changes in business practices, also increased threat perceptions. The study emphasizes the need to improve immigration policies and social integration processes. It specifically highlights the role of local entrepreneurs in supporting social cohesion and their potential to facilitate the integration of immigrants, with the statement that achieving economic and cultural integration contributes to societal peace.