The Influence of Roles and Identities on Female Entrepreneurial Agency

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 5, pp. 358-372, 2008

1 Pages Posted: 30 Jan 2008

See all articles by Mona Toft Madsen

Mona Toft Madsen

Aarhus University - School of Business and Social Sciences

Helle Neergaard

Independent

John P. Ulhøi

University of Aarhus - Aarhus School of Business

Abstract

Research suggests that barriers and constraints encountered by women are gender-specific, and that women are subject to discriminatory practices. However, by focusing on what women are prevented from doing, much research portrays women as victims of circumstance rather than as individuals with different identity constructions and value systems. This paper challenges the widespread assumption that female entrepreneurial agency is confronted by gender-specific barriers, and proposes an alternative perspective based on the integration of role and identity concepts. This portrays women as agents in their own lives rather than merely victims of structural gender-specific barriers. In consequence, the paper proposes that female entrepreneurs construct and reconstruct their identity under the influence of institutionalised practices, which can only be changed from within.

Keywords: female entrepreneurship, structural barriers, institutional barriers

JEL Classification: J16, J23, J24, M13

Suggested Citation

Madsen, Mona Toft and Neergaard, Helle and Ulhøi, John P., The Influence of Roles and Identities on Female Entrepreneurial Agency. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Vol. 5, pp. 358-372, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1085485

Mona Toft Madsen (Contact Author)

Aarhus University - School of Business and Social Sciences ( email )

Nordre Ringgade 1
Aarhus C, DK-8000
Denmark

Helle Neergaard

Independent ( email )

John P. Ulhøi

University of Aarhus - Aarhus School of Business ( email )

Haslegaardsvej 10
DK-8210 Aarhus, 8210
Denmark
+45 8948 6688 (Phone)

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