IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v185y2024ics0148296324004065.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

‘It just seems that they don’t act like men’: The influence of gender role stereotypes on women’s entrepreneurial innovation activities

Author

Listed:
  • Sundermeier, Janina

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how gender role stereotypes influence women entrepreneurs in their innovation activities. To examine how women perceive and respond to stereotypes that deem them less capable of initiating innovation processes of creative destruction in Schumpeterian terms, I draw on symbolic interactionism. The ethnographic field study I conducted in an entrepreneurial ecosystem reveals that relevant actors and institutions still attribute women as exploring innovation potentials of limited scope, having higher risk awareness, and exploiting identified innovation potentials in niche rather than mainstream markets, while they are more often driven by emotions. To challenge these stereotypes and thrive in exploring and exploiting innovation potential, they need to invest considerable resources in legitimation efforts, building strategic alliances, and managing expectations. These findings contribute to the development of theory on the impact of gender on the performance of innovation activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Sundermeier, Janina, 2024. "‘It just seems that they don’t act like men’: The influence of gender role stereotypes on women’s entrepreneurial innovation activities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:185:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324004065
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114902
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296324004065
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114902?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Carter, Nancy M. & Gartner, William B. & Shaver, Kelly G. & Gatewood, Elizabeth J., 2003. "The career reasons of nascent entrepreneurs," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 13-39, January.
    2. Berger, Elisabeth S.C. & Kuckertz, Andreas, 2016. "Female entrepreneurship in startup ecosystems worldwide," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 5163-5168.
    3. Frietsch, Rainer & Haller, Inna & Funken-Vrohlings, Melanie & Grupp, Hariolf, 2009. "Gender-specific patterns in patenting and publishing," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 590-599, May.
    4. Fiona Wilson & Jill Kickul & Deborah Marlino, 2007. "Gender, Entrepreneurial Self–Efficacy, and Entrepreneurial Career Intentions: Implications for Entrepreneurship Education1," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 31(3), pages 387-406, May.
    5. Ben Spigel, 2017. "The Relational Organization of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(1), pages 49-72, January.
    6. Verheul, Ingrid & Uhlaner, Lorraine & Thurik, Roy, 2005. "Business accomplishments, gender and entrepreneurial self-image," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 483-518, July.
    7. Ahl, Helene & Nelson, Teresa, 2015. "How policy positions women entrepreneurs: A comparative analysis of state discourse in Sweden and the United States," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 273-291.
    8. Nan Langowitz & Maria Minniti, 2007. "The Entrepreneurial Propensity of Women," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 31(3), pages 341-364, May.
    9. Elizabeth Gatewood & Candida Brush & Nancy Carter & Patricia Greene & Myra Hart, 2009. "Diana: a symbol of women entrepreneurs’ hunt for knowledge, money, and the rewards of entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 129-144, February.
    10. Mary M. Crossan & Marina Apaydin, 2010. "A Multi‐Dimensional Framework of Organizational Innovation: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(6), pages 1154-1191, September.
    11. Yvonne Benschop & Patricia Lewis & Ruth Simpson & Patricia Lewis & Yvonne Benschop & Ruth Simpson, 2017. "Postfeminism, Gender and Organization," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(3), pages 213-225, May.
    12. Candida G. Brush, 1992. "Research on Women Business Owners: Past Trends, a New Perspective and Future Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 16(4), pages 5-30, July.
    13. Gerard George & Anita M. McGahan & Jaideep Prabhu, 2012. "Innovation for Inclusive Growth: Towards a Theoretical Framework and a Research Agenda," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(4), pages 661-683, June.
    14. Susan Marlow & Samantha Hicks & Lorna Treanor, 2019. "Gendering Entrepreneurial Behaviour," Springer Books, in: Maura McAdam & James A. Cunningham (ed.), Entrepreneurial Behaviour, chapter 3, pages 39-60, Springer.
    15. Mathias Wullum Nielsen & Carter Walter Bloch & Londa Schiebinger, 2018. "Making gender diversity work for scientific discovery and innovation," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 2(10), pages 726-734, October.
    16. Mortazavi, Sina & Eslami, Mohammad H. & Hajikhani, Arash & Väätänen, Juha, 2021. "Mapping inclusive innovation: A bibliometric study and literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 736-750.
    17. Amanda Bullough & Ulrike Guelich & Tatiana S. Manolova & Leon Schjoedt, 2022. "Women’s entrepreneurship and culture: gender role expectations and identities, societal culture, and the entrepreneurial environment," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 985-996, February.
    18. Susan Marlow & Maura McAdam, 2012. "Analyzing the Influence of Gender upon High–Technology Venturing within the Context of Business Incubation," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(4), pages 655-676, July.
    19. Heiko Bergmann & Rolf Sternberg, 2007. "The Changing Face of Entrepreneurship in Germany," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 205-221, March.
    20. William B. Gartner, 1988. "“Who Is an Entrepreneur?†Is the Wrong Question," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 12(4), pages 11-32, April.
    21. Østergaard, Christian R. & Timmermans, Bram & Kristinsson, Kari, 2011. "Does a different view create something new? The effect of employee diversity on innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 500-509, April.
    22. Helene Ahl, 2006. "Why Research on Women Entrepreneurs Needs New Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 30(5), pages 595-621, September.
    23. Becker-Blease, John R. & Sohl, Jeffrey E., 2007. "Do women-owned businesses have equal access to angel capital?," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 22(4), pages 503-521, July.
    24. Vishal K. Gupta & Daniel B. Turban & S. Arzu Wasti & Arijit Sikdar, 2009. "The Role of Gender Stereotypes in Perceptions of Entrepreneurs and Intentions to Become an Entrepreneur," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(2), pages 397-417, March.
    25. Sexton, Donald L. & Bowman-Upton, Nancy, 1990. "Female and male entrepreneurs: Psychological characteristics and their role in gender-related discrimination," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 29-36, January.
    26. Nandkeolyar, Amit K. & Bagger, Jessica & Ekkirala, Srinivas, 2022. "Damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t: The interactive effects of gender and agreeableness on performance evaluation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 62-71.
    27. Gartzia, Leire & Baniandrés, Josune, 2019. "How Feminine is the Female Advantage? Incremental validity of gender traits over leader sex on employees' responses," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 125-139.
    28. Ingersoll, Alicia R. & Cook, Alison & Glass, Christy, 2023. "A free solo in heels: Corporate risk taking among women executives and directors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    29. Fagenson, Ellen A., 1993. "Personal value systems of men and women entrepreneurs versus managers," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 8(5), pages 409-430, September.
    30. Fischer, Eileen M. & Reuber, A. Rebecca & Dyke, Lorraine S., 1993. "A theoretical overview and extension of research on sex, gender, and entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 151-168, March.
    31. Janina Sundermeier & Martin Gersch & Jörg Freiling, 2020. "Hubristic Start‐up Founders – The Neglected Bright and Inevitable Dark Manifestations of Hubristic Leadership in New Venture Creation Processes," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(5), pages 1037-1067, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daniela Giménez & Andrea Calabrò, 2018. "The salient role of institutions in Women’s entrepreneurship: a critical review and agenda for future research," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 857-882, December.
    2. Gina Santos & Carla Susana Marques & João J. Ferreira, 2018. "A look back over the past 40 years of female entrepreneurship: mapping knowledge networks," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(2), pages 953-987, May.
    3. Justo, Rachida & DeTienne, Dawn R. & Sieger, Philipp, 2015. "Failure or voluntary exit? Reassessing the female underperformance hypothesis," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 775-792.
    4. Luca Pistilli & Alessia Paccagnini & Stefano Breschi & Franco Malerba, 2023. "Gender Bias in Entrepreneurship: What is the Role of the Founders’ Entrepreneurial Background?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(2), pages 325-346, October.
    5. Silke Tegtmeier & Agnieszka Kurczewska & Jantje Halberstadt, 2016. "Are women graduates jacquelines-of-all-trades? Challenging Lazear’s view on entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(1), pages 77-94, June.
    6. Sara Poggesi & Michela Mari & Luisa Vita, 2016. "What’s new in female entrepreneurship research? Answers from the literature," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 735-764, September.
    7. Mohd Yasir Arafat & Javed Ali & Amit Kumar Dwivedi & Imran Saleem, 2020. "Social and Cognitive Aspects of Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from India," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 45(4), pages 223-239, December.
    8. Avnimelech, Gil & Rechter, Eyal, 2023. "How and why accelerators enhance female entrepreneurship," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    9. Lene Foss & Colette Henry & Helene Ahl & Geir H. Mikalsen, 2019. "Women’s entrepreneurship policy research: a 30-year review of the evidence," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 409-429, August.
    10. Mansura Akter & Mahfuzur Rahman & Dragana Radicic, 2019. "Women Entrepreneurship in International Trade: Bridging the Gap by Bringing Feminist Theories into Entrepreneurship and Internationalization Theories," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-28, November.
    11. Ladge, Jamie & Eddleston, Kimberly A. & Sugiyama, Keimei, 2019. "Am I an entrepreneur? How imposter fears hinder women entrepreneurs’ business growth," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(5), pages 615-624.
    12. Klyver, Kim & Nielsen, Suna Løwe & Evald, Majbritt Rostgaard, 2013. "Women's self-employment: An act of institutional (dis)integration? A multilevel, cross-country study," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 474-488.
    13. Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid, 2020. "The motivational factors of business venturing: Opportunity versus necessity? A gendered perspective on European countries," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 279-289.
    14. Tha�s Garc�a-Pereiro & Ivano Dileo, 2017. "Gender Differences In Entrepreneurial Activities In Italy," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 71(3), pages 31-40, July-Sept.
    15. Verheul, Ingrid & Thurik, Roy & Grilo, Isabel & van der Zwan, Peter, 2012. "Explaining preferences and actual involvement in self-employment: Gender and the entrepreneurial personality," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 325-341.
    16. Blount, Ian & Triana, Maria del Carmen & Richard, Orlando & Li, Mingxiang, 2023. "How women CEOs’ financial knowledge and firm homophily affect venture performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    17. Henry, Colette & Lewis, Kate V., 2023. "The art of dramatic construction: Enhancing the context dimension in women’s entrepreneurship research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    18. Newbery, Robert & Lean, Jonathan & Moizer, Jonathan & Haddoud, Mohamed, 2018. "Entrepreneurial identity formation during the initial entrepreneurial experience: The influence of simulation feedback and existing identity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 51-59.
    19. Rachel S. Shinnar & Olivier Giacomin & Frank Janssen, 2012. "Entrepreneurial Perceptions and Intentions: The Role of Gender and Culture," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 36(3), pages 465-493, May.
    20. Ana Laguía & Cristina García-Ael & Dominika Wach & Juan A. Moriano, 2019. "“Think entrepreneur - think male”: a task and relationship scale to measure gender stereotypes in entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 749-772, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:185:y:2024:i:c:s0148296324004065. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.