1st Edition
Gendering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Levelling the Field
The increased interest in entrepreneurial ecosystems often builds on the underlying assumption that entrepreneurs have equal access to resources, participation, and support. However, women are underrepresented in successful entrepreneurial ecosystems and a persistent gender bias continues to exist. This bias is reflected in assumptions about the typical entrepreneur. It is white American men that spring to mind, portrayed as entrepreneurial superheroes, associated with risk- taking and big money. That they are men is often taken for granted; with successful female entrepreneurs seldom elevated in the same way. This illustrates how entrepreneurship is gendered, with implications for resource access and chances of success. The entrepreneurial ecosystem is not a level playing field.
This bbook gives insights on how to remedy gendered challenges that pose problems not only for individuals but also for the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By analysing ways of making entrepreneurial ecosystems more gender- inclusive, the chapters collectively highlight the impact of gender dynamics on entrepreneurial ecosystems and introduce innovative methods for fostering inclusivity. With examples from around the globe, they emphasise the actors and factors that matter for gender- inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The book is interdisciplinary and will appeal to scholars, upper- level students and policymakers interested in entrepreneurship and gender inclusivity.
1. Levelling the Field: Towards More Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Gry Agnete Alsos, Dag Balkmar, Marit Breivik-Meyer, Anne-Charlott Callerstig, and Marta Lindvert
Part 1: Entering into entrepreneurship
2. Ireland’s Gen Y Female entrepreneurs and the mismatch of the enterprise ecosystem
Angela Hamouda, Bronwyn P Wood, Kate Johnston, and Rebecca Nevins
3. Gender differences in entrepreneurial Intentions within the university of Auckland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
Darsel Keane and Rod B. McNaughton
4. Mixed embeddedness of women student entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: a Systematic literature review
Stéphanie Eynaud, Alexis Catanzaro and Stéphane Foliard
5. Public childcare: A neglected element of entrepreneurial ecosystems?
Rosemarie Kay, Teita Bijedić-Krumm, Siegrun Brink, and Sebastian Nielen
Part 2: Support and resources
6. Fostering inclusivity in startup accelerators: A literature review and research agenda
Heatherjean MacNeil and Maura McAdam
7. Building inclusive ecosystems – Why the gender composition of accelerators matters for startup funding
Aaron Pohlmann and Theresa Veer
8. Variations in investors’ gendered understandings of investment cases – The role of lived experiences
Marta Lindvert, Marit Breivik-Meyer, and Gry Agnete Alsos
9. How strong network ties in service clubs can create business opportunities for women entrepreneurs
Saskia Stoker, Jeanne Martens, and Ingrid Wakkee
Part 3: Working for change
10. Revising or affirming the gendered narrative? A grassroots approach to inclusivity in entrepreneurial ecosystems
Iulia Stroila, Julia Heitsch, and Sue Rossano-Rivero
11. Blame narratives: Contesting gender neutrality in the entrepreneurial ecosystem
Ana Cruz García and Sarah Davis
12. Developing norm-reflexivity in technical innovation
Anne-Charlott Callerstig, Dag Balkmar, and Susanne Andersson
13. The Yes Way: A catalyst for inclusive change in the Swedish entrepreneurial ecosystem?
Malin Lindberg and Anna Croon
Biography
Marit Breivik-Meyer is Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship at Nord University Business School, Norway. Her main research interests include venture start up processes, entrepreneurial ecosystems, sustainability, and gender perspectives to entrepreneurship and innovation innovation.
Marta Lindvert is Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship at Nord University Business School, Norway. Her main research interests include entrepreneurial financing and resource mobilization, particularly from a gender perspective. She is also interested in the role of different contexts for entrepreneurship and has conducted field studies in a variety of countries.
Anne-Charlott Callerstig is a Senior Researcher in Gender Studies at Örebro University, Sweden. Her research interest includes equality policy and organisation; policy implementation and evaluation; gender, entrepreneurship and innovation, and interactive research methodologies.
Dag Balkmar is Associate Professor (Docent) and Senior Lecturer in Gender Studies at Örebro University, Sweden. His research focuses on men and masculinities; gender and entrepreneurship; gender equality and inclusion in organizations; and gendered mobilities. His research encompasses several interactive research projects on gender and innovation, exploring masculinity in relation to technology, entrepreneurship, and organizations.
Gry Agnete Alsos is Profess Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Nord University Business School, Norway. Her research interests include venture start up processes, entrepreneurial ecosystems, entrepreneurship and innovation policy, and gender perspectives to entrepreneurship and innovation.
“This necessary volume gets to the heart of how entrepreneurship and gender intersect in cities and regions. By addressing issues such as gender difference, child care, and networks, the chapters in this book invite a more critical perspective of if and how entrepreneurship can power just and equitable economic development.” Professor Ben Spigel, Babson College, USA
“Dive into the dynamic world of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems with this invaluable and insightful book on gendering entrepreneurial ecosystems. This mustread offers a comprehensive understanding of how addressing gender challenges is crucial for fostering equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs and building inclusive, innovative environments.” Professor Christina Theodoraki, Aix-Marseille University - IAE, France
“Current literature, practice and policy assumes that ecosystems are neutral and that all entrepreneurs have equal access to resources, opportunities and support to start and grow ventures. The present volume addresses this assumption by analyzing how ecosystems are gendered. Authors explore key themes – founding, incubating and accelerating, financing and changing – providing insights for how we can make ecosystems more inclusive and how entrepreneurial ecosystems can be a space for resistance and activism in social transformation. Don’t miss this book!” Professor Candida Brush, Babson College, USA
“Gendering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Levelling the Field” is an empowering and forward- thinking exploration of gender dynamics in entrepreneurship. While it critically addresses the barriers and biases women face, the book also highlights the immense potential for fostering inclusivity and innovation. By rethinking the structures of entrepreneurial ecosystems, it opens up exciting opportunities, emphasizing how diversity can fuel creativity and better opportunity recognition. A must- read for anyone interested in shaping a more inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial world, this book provides a call to action for unlocking opportunities.” Professor Jeaneth Johansson, Luleå University of Technology and Halmstad University, Sweden
