In this paper we argue that entrepreneurship is a socio-spatial embedded activity and that the
social construction of gender, time, space, economy and culture is manifest in the masculinities
that are ascribed a normative role in entrepreneurship development policies. Drawing on
feminist approaches to articulate and perform resistance to the hegemonic ‘masculinist’
discourses on entrepreneurship, we argue that women’s entrepreneurship is contextually
embedded in institutional and social structures that both limit and provide opportunities for its
enactment. Regional economic development policy has focused, inter alia, on stimulating and
supporting women’s entrepreneurship through the establishment of women-only
entrepreneurial networks to provide support, role models and access to resources. Grounded in
feminist geography and based on a detailed qualitative study of network managers and
members of formally established women-only networks, we provide evidence of the disconnect
between the emancipatory intent and the actual impact of these initiatives. While these
networks aim to empower and encourage women into entrepreneurship, in practice they
perpetuate women’s marginalisation and ghettoization in gendered niches.
Metadata
Item Type:
Article (Published)
Refereed:
Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:
women’s entrepreneurship; niche theory; gendered niches; women only networks; regional entrepreneurship policy; feminist geography