Theorising MSMEs in Contexts of Urban Violence

What are the relationships between and among small businesses, conflict, peaceful development in contexts of urban violence? Here, complex formal informal divisions economic, political social power, authority, legitimacy – many grey areas legality illegality, necessity opportunism create challenging conditions for business operations peacebuilding. A grounded understanding is required if peace- development-positive interventions to be successful. Yet both peacebuilding potential micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), specific dynamics conflict spaces, underdeveloped literature assessing promoting catalyse positive change. We therefore extract from a broad range typology representing weight extant frameworks MSMEs violence. then use primary research construct inductively framework that captures how those living with violence themselves perceive their violence, impacts on in/security under/development. Drawing out key synthesis tension, we propose directions future study practice related businesses violent cities, emphasising need eschew simple understandings actors, agency, objectives favour more nuanced humane inquiry into pain inherent local context.