Intersectionality and mixed methods for social context in entrepreneurship
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 19 October 2018
Issue publication date: 7 November 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper has two central aims: to critically analyse the potential of intersectionality theory as a means by which to understand aspects of context in entrepreneurship studies, and advocate for the value of a realist perspective and mixed methods approaches to produce better intersectional research on entrepreneurship. This paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Highlighting context as an emerging topic within entrepreneurship literature, the paper examines how drawing upon notions of intersectionality and positionality can help to explain the social context for entrepreneurial activity and outcomes, particularly in terms of agency and resources.
Findings
The paper complements and extends existing intersectional approaches to entrepreneurship studies by introducing Archer’s critical realist philosophical perspective on agency and Anthias’ positional perspective on resource access, considering the usefulness of realism and mixed methods approaches for such work, and outlining a methodologically informed potential research agenda for the area.
Originality/value
The paper offers a theoretical foundation for researchers to begin systematically exploring social entrepreneurial context by accounting for the effects of overarching intersecting structures such as gender, race, and socio-economic class (amongst others), presents empirical methods through which these social-structural influences, and the degree of their impact, can be identified and analysed, and suggests a philosophically robust means of conceptualising how, in combination with agency, they influence essential aspects of entrepreneurial activity.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Intersectionality and entrepreneurship”, guest edited by Amal Abbas, Janice Byrne, Laura Galloway and Laura Jackman.
Citation
Dy, A. and Agwunobi, A.J. (2019), "Intersectionality and mixed methods for social context in entrepreneurship", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 25 No. 8, pp. 1727-1747. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-12-2017-0498
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited