University of Twente Student Theses
Towards a more inclusive university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem
Wittich, M. (2020) Towards a more inclusive university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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| Abstract: | The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the main obstacles that potential and aspiring female entrepreneurs face within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and which conditions of the university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems can either stimulate or hinder female entrepreneurial activity. In order to analyse the entrepreneurial ecosystem this study deploys a multidimensional framework focusing on three main entrepreneurial processes within the entrepreneurial ecosystem (1) access to resources (2) opportunity recognition and (3) legitimacy. In order to capture the specific circumstances of female entrepreneurs, this thesis recognizes gender as an underlying social structure which responds to current calls to embed feminist analyses within the entrepreneurial field. Since entrepreneurial ecosystems can produce underlying gendered practices on institutional, organizational and individual levels this thesis investigates if gender might influence the choice of female students to become an entrepreneur. Due to the exploratory nature, this study makes use of semi-structured interviews to get a deeper understanding of potential female entrepreneurs’ experiences and needs within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Results suggest that employment experiences, family and friends, their cultural background and their motivation play a vital role in deciding whether to become an entrepreneur or not. Besides that this study showed that gender does have an influence on the legitimation process necessary for start-up activity. Keywords: entrepreneurial ecosystem, female entrepreneurship, gender |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/83155 |
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