ADVANCING MULTI-METHOD QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: A STUDY OF BRAZILIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PORTUGAL

Abstract

The growing presence of Brazilian migrants in Portugal has stimulated new research on migrant entrepreneurship, yet important gaps remain regarding how entrepreneurial trajectories are constructed and interpreted within specific migration contexts. Existing studies often rely predominantly on either quantitative surveys or qualitative case analyses, which may limit the capacity to capture both structural patterns and lived experiences. This study’s primary contribution lies in demonstrating a transferable multi-method qualitative design that integrates survey-based profiling with Gioia-based inductive analysis. The study aims to analyse the pathways of Brazilian entrepreneurs in Portugal, focusing on motivational drivers, sociodemographic characteristics, economic integration strategies, and the challenges encountered in the process of establishing businesses. Data were collected between July 2024 and March 2025 through a combination of surveys with 667 Brazilian immigrants and 55 in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs, complemented by field observations and documentary sources from social networks, consulates, and migrant associations. Quantitative data were examined through descriptive statistical analysis to outline the sociodemographic profile of migrants and identify patterns of entrepreneurial activity. Qualitative data were analysed using the Gioia method, supported by MAxQDA software, enabling the identification of first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregate dimensions that reveal recurring patterns in entrepreneurial experiences. The triangulation of multiple sources and analytical strategies strengthened the robustness and interpretive depth of the findings. The analysis identified two predominant entrepreneurial trajectories: opportunity-driven entrepreneurs who planned both migration and business creation, and necessity-driven entrepreneurs who developed businesses as adaptive strategies for economic integration. Methodologically, the study demonstrates how the articulation between survey data and inductive qualitative coding can enhance the interpretation of migrant entrepreneurial processes, offering a replicable approach for qualitative and mixed-method research in migration and entrepreneurship studies.