How women entrepreneurs build embeddedness: a case study approach
International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship
ISSN: 1756-6266
Article publication date: 11 September 2017
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine how women entrepreneurs are building embeddedness into male-gendered fields and how they are creating embedding in such fields in practice.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative methodology and three indicative case stories within gastronomic industry are illustrated and analysed.
Findings
The contribution of this study lies in the examination of the multifaceted embedding building process from dis-embedded, marginalised and suppressed position by women entrepreneurs. This was achieved with the help of building embedding through two strategies: sameness, that is, becoming one of the boys and then becoming a challenger, thereby enhancing their professional position.
Research limitations/implications
The study is subject to limitations; a small sample is not suited for the generalizability of results. The most important implication of this study is the identification of the process of building embeddedness as the most critical resource for women’s entrepreneurship that should be supported by the scholarly and business community.
Originality/value
The theoretical framework developed for this study laid the foundation for developing literature on the embeddedness of women’s entrepreneurship and how the process of creating embedding becomes instrumental in business ownership.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This project was funded by Gastronomic Academy in Sweden (Gastronomiska Akademiens Stiftelse), to which I express my deep gratitude.
Citation
Aggestam, M. and Wigren-Kristoferson, C. (2017), "How women entrepreneurs build embeddedness: a case study approach", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 252-268. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-07-2017-0037
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited