International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship

The Diva storyline: an alternative social construction of female entrepreneurship : Table of Contents

Robert Smith — Sun Jun 14 14:15:06 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Many “Divas” despite possessing destructive character traits ironically become successful entrepreneurs thus illustrating an alternative “storied” social construction of entrepreneurship. This influences how female entrepreneurs are perceived in the popular press and can be manipulated as an alternative entrepreneurial reality. The purpose of this paper is to build upon research into entrepreneurial identity introducing the “Diva” concept. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative methodological approach involves an analysis of biographies of famous Diva's to identify common themes; and an internet trawl to identify supplementary micro-biographies and newspaper articles on “Divas”. This tripartite approach allows rich data to be collected permitting a comparative analysis. Findings – This empirical paper presents the socially constructed nature of entrepreneurial narrative and the “Diva storyline” demonstrating the influence of journalistic licence upon how successful women are portrayed. The paper adds incremental credence to power of male-dominated journalistic practices to vilify enterprising behaviour to sell newspapers. Research limitations/implications – An obvious limitation to the work is that the sample of articles and biographies selected were chosen via search parameters which mention the word “Diva”. Nevertheless, there is scope for further “more detailed” research into the phenomenon to flesh out the model built in this preliminary paper. Practical implications – An important implication for scholars and journalists is the need to reconsider how we tell and decode entrepreneur stories. As researchers, we need to recognise that there are other avenues for women to become entrepreneurs than to become businesswomen and that it is alright for women to reject the “entrepreneur” label. Originality/value – This paper informs our understanding of the socially constructed nature of how we tell, understand and appreciate entrepreneur stories. It thus makes a unique contribution by illustrating that the storylines which constitute the “Diva cycle” are constructed from the same storylines that we associate with entrepreneur stories but narrated in a different order. It provides another heuristic device for understanding the social construction of gendered entrepreneurial identities making it of interest to feminist scholars of entrepreneurship and to social constructionists alike.

Is a lack of self-confidence hindering women entrepreneurs? : Table of Contents

Jodyanne Kirkwood — Sun Jun 14 14:15:06 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Studies have concluded that men tend to have higher self-confidence than women and that this affects their entrepreneurial intentions. However, little is known about how self-confidence affects entrepreneurs in their start-up decision, and even less is understood about how it affects entrepreneurs' decisions and actions in their ongoing business. The purpose of this paper is to meet these two objectives by using a gender comparative approach. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 50 entrepreneurs (25 women and 25 men) in New Zealand were interviewed in a semi-structured format. Findings – Women exhibit a lack of self-confidence in their own abilities as entrepreneurs compared to men. This finding parallels results of prior research. Once in an established business, women relate to entrepreneurship less than men and do not feel comfortable calling themselves entrepreneurs. For some women, entrepreneurial self-confidence grew over their time in business. For other women, it appears to continue to act as a constraint – affecting their ability to access finance and curtailing their growth aspirations. Research limitations/implications – In total, 50 entrepreneurs were studied, and further research could be done to understand the impact of self-confidence for larger samples of entrepreneurs. Originality/value – The qualitative nature of the study contributes to the limited understanding of how entrepreneurial self-confidence affects both the start-up decision and sustained entrepreneurship, but more research required. A key outcome of this paper is that it provides directions for further research to more fully understand this phenomenon. It also presents a number of policy suggestions.

Developing entrepreneurship programmes for female members of the Irish traveller community : Table of Contents

Thomas M. Cooney — Sun Jun 14 14:15:06 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the distinctive challenges faced by female travellers (Roma, Sinti and Gypsy) in starting their own business. Design/methodology/approach – The paper details a pilot “start your own business” programme that was delivered in Ireland to 12 women from the traveller community. Findings – Four distinct categories of entrepreneurship barriers faced by female travellers were recognised: self-esteem, traveller identity, welfare trap and family responsibilities. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on just one programme and so no general conclusions can be drawn. Practical implications – The paper identifies the successes and failures of the programme, plus it highlights the future steps that need to be taken to bring appropriate entrepreneurship support to traveller women who experience triple discrimination – discrimination as women, as travellers and as traveller women. Originality/value – Very little is known about female travellers in terms of entrepreneurship activity and so this is a significant addition to a very small body of knowledge.

Gender in family business ownership and management: a six-country analysis : Table of Contents

Matthew C. Sonfield, Robert N. Lussier — Sun Jun 14 14:15:06 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – While family firms constitute a highly important component of most countries' economies, and in many countries a sizable portion of these family businesses are owned and managed by women, there has been minimal study of gender issues in family business ownership and management. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap. Design/methodology/approach – The research design was self-reported survey research, which is the most commonly used methodology in family business research and for small business and entrepreneurship quantitative research. Findings – In contrast to early (pre-1980) gender comparisons in management and entrepreneurship, and in support of the majority of more recent studies, this investigation found no significant relationships between the gender of family business owner-managers and ten management characteristic variables in a sample of 593 family businesses in six countries. Originality/value – These findings add to the limited and currently inconclusive body of knowledge regarding gender issues specifically in family business, and more generally in entrepreneurship and management.