Chapter 5 Analysing routes to starting and growing science, engineering and technology ventures: Perceptions of female entrepreneurs

Abstract

Purpose – To explore routes taken to start and grow businesses in science, engineering and technology (SET) sectors by 15 female entrepreneurs.

Methodology/approach – Entrepreneurial routes are explored using the ‘possible selves’ perspective to explore why they felt able to continue in SET when many do not and how they envisaged themselves in relation to SET and enterprise.

Findings – All participants felt that SET was ‘normal’, so there had been ‘no problem’ in starting or running a SET business as a woman but gendered practice was embedded in how they operated, how they made decisions and how they envisaged the future. The heuristics used by participants were acceptance, adaptation and allowances to adapt to a male environment in SET and within entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications – This was a qualitative study, therefore, as is normally the case, offers insights but cannot be generalised to populations.

Practical implications – The comments by participants on their experience of university and to some extent secondary school curriculum showed when they were ‘turned off’ SET mainstream activities. Changes in curriculum content and format and awareness building for staff might address this.

Social implications – Gendered practice remains in organisations due to the norms and expectations of a wider society, this chapter shows how this works in SET environments.

Originality/value of chapter – This is a new study given the lack of work so far exploring entrepreneurial routes of women in SET especially using the possible selves perspective.

Citation

Martin, L. (2010), "Chapter 5 Analysing routes to starting and growing science, engineering and technology ventures: Perceptions of female entrepreneurs", Wynarczyk, P. and Marlow, S. (Ed.) Innovating Women: Contributions to Technological Advancement (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, Vol. 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 77-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-7246(2010)0000001010