Emerald | International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship

Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship—a Nordic Spectrum

Katarina Pettersson — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This paper analyses national state support programmes for women’s entrepreneurship, in the Nordic countries, in a gender perspective.Design/methodology/approach - From an analytical gender perspective based on a combination of Mayoux’s (2001) framework of paradigms in support of women’s entrepreneurship, Rees’ (2005) approach to gender equality and Bacchi’s (1999) analysis of what the problem is represented to be, I perform a systematic comparative analysis of the varying policy goals, underlying paradigms and approaches in state support programmes for women’s entrepreneurship in the Nordic countries.Findings - I conclude that all Nordic countries with the exception of Iceland have a programme or an action plan to support women’s entrepreneurship, but vary in their underlying paradigms and rationales. I can place Norway at one end of the spectrum because its policy programme is most clearly influenced by a feminist empowerment paradigm intended to transform and/or tailor the existing support system through various measures. At the other end of the spectrum is Denmark, which most clearly focuses on economic growth in line with a neo-liberal paradigm. Between these extremes, I find Sweden, Finland and Iceland. The analysis reveal that state support programmes, in the name of supporting women entrepreneurs, tend to put them in a subordinate position to men and thereby risk to sustain a male norm. Originality/value - I contribute a systematic comparative analysis of support for women’s entrepreneurship in the Nordic countries, an analysis that has until now been missing. This analysis is important to further the discussion of how policy actors can avoid putting women in a secondary position to men, and in order not to sustain a male norm in entrepreneurship support.

Gender Heterogeneity, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and International Diversification

Monica A Zimmerman, Keith D. Brouthers — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - Although diversifying internationally appears to be beneficial, relatively few small and medium sized firms actually participate. Building on recent research exploring the international diversification of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) we examine the relation among ownership and management team gender heterogeneity, entrepreneurial orientation, and firm international diversity. Design/methodology/approach - We tested our hypotheses using data gathered from members of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), a national (U.S.) public policy organization that advocates for women in business. Findings - Results from logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis of the data suggest that top management team gender composition and entrepreneurial orientation are significantly related to international diversification but that ownership gender composition is not. Our findings suggest that women-only management teams high in entrepreneurial orientation are more likely to pursue international diversification dispelling the idea that international diversification is more difficult for women. Research limitations/implications - We found that team entrepreneurial orientation may be useful when teams are more homogeneous on relations-oriented characteristics like gender because they can more easily come to a consensus. Originality/value - These results contribute to our understanding of SME international diversification and provide important implications for developing effective management teams.

Entrepreneurial Experiences of Women in Canadian High Technology

Souha R. Ezzedeen, Jelena Zikic — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - This study is one of few to inductively explore how women entrepreneurs experience entrepreneurship in the Canadian technology sector and the types of obstacles posed by the field’s male-dominated character. Design/methodology/approach - Our research purpose called for an inductive approach. Interviews with a sample of women technology entrepreneurs allowed for in-depth exploration of their subjective experiences and rich appreciation of their context.Findings - Our subjects encountered persistent gender stereotypes, a paucity of female role models, resistance from associates within and outside of their organizations, and societal pressures to maintain appropriate levels of work-family balance. Research limitations/implications - Although exploratory and preliminary in nature, the findings indicate that women entrepreneurs do not experience "glass ceilings" as much as they experience "labyrinth walls" and what we identify as "thorny floors," meaning opposition and sabotage from male subordinates.Practical implications - Women considering entrepreneurship should expect to encounter resistance to their leadership, albeit manifested in different forms than in corporate settings. Male-dominated fields such as technology involve industry-level resistance as well as opposition from within the organization. Nevertheless, women perceived the field as merit-driven whereby they gained acceptance once they had established themselves as credible competitors. Originality/value - This study elucidates the multiple levels of opposition to women’s entrepreneurship in male-dominated settings and introduces the concept of "thorny floors" to research on women’s advancement and entrepreneurship.

Factors motivating women's informal micro-entrepreneurship: Experiences from Penang, Malaysia

Anja Karlsson Franck — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to examine the factors which motivate women’s informal micro-entrepreneurship in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approach - The qualitative analysis employed in this paper is based upon empirical findings from field work conducted in the state of Penang on the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. 39 hawkers (petty traders) were interviewed using an interview guide which contained open-ended questions regarding work-life history, labor market choices and conditions of work. Two selected case stories are presented as well as the general findings across the whole sample. Findings - In contrast to the view that women’s informal micro-entrepreneurship is motivated only by ‘involuntary exclusion from the labor market’ or ‘poverty’ this paper has found that women’s micro-entrepreneurship can be motivated by a wide range of factors – including: to earn an income, interest in doing business, increased flexibility and autonomy, possibility to combine with family obligations and re-negotiating spatial practices. Conclusive with previous studies it also argues that necessity and choice may be ‘co-present’ in the motives to enter entrepreneurship. Research limitations/implications - The limited sample of this study has implications for the generalizability of results. Further studies into the women’s micro-entrepreneurial activities in Malaysia are therefore encouraged.Originality/value - There are very few studies in the Malaysian context which focus upon women's informal micro-entrepreneurship in general and hawking in particular. This study therefore presents new knowledge around women's informal micro-entrepreneurship in Malaysia.

Gender differences of business owners in technology-based firms

Kirsti Dautzenberg — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to disclose the commonalities and differences among business owners of technology-based firms in Germany. We address both single entrepreneurs as well as entrepreneurial teams regarding gender.Design/methodology/approach - We examine firm characteristics and firm success variables in light of gender. Our database contains 593 firms in very-high-tech-manufacturing, 886 firms in high-tech manufacturing, and 4.822 firms in technology-based service industries.Findings - Our results confirm the supposed gender gap in the technology industry. Whereas firm characteristics such as firm size, number of employees, and revenues are correlated to gender, firm success appears to be independent of these.Research limitations/implications - This paper focuses on the analysis of firm characteristics and gender variables. Due to the data sample, it contributes to the understanding of gender, as well as firm success and characteristics of German technology-based firms.Originality/value - The quantitative nature of this study contributes to reducing the lack of existing studies in the field of women entrepreneurship in technology-based industries in Germany. It offers insights into the gender and entrepreneurial team characteristics of these firms.

Women in the Academy of International Business (WAIB) 2011 Conference Report

Lorna Treanor — 2012-03-23 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose - conference reportDesign/methodology/approach - reportFindings - reportResearch limitations/implications - n/aPractical implications - n/aOriginality/value - n/a