Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Business Creation, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Business Creation, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
Department of International Business and Strategy, Faculty of Economics and Business, university of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this qualitative inquiry is to discern and compile the determinants factors influencing the construction of identity among women entrepreneurs, drawing from previous literature. Given the prevalent narrative of entrepreneurship predominantly associated with male discourse, the formation of women's entrepreneurial identity often conflicting with this discourse. Women encounter multifarious challenges in delineating and solidifying their entrepreneurial identities, shaped by a plethora of factors. In the past decade, research on EI has grown particularly rapidly, yet in seemingly disparate directions, this study endeavors to provide a coherent and comprehensive perspective on this subject matter through a systematic review of extant literature.
Methodology: Employing an applied, descriptive methodology, a systematic search encompassing the years 2000 to 2023 was conducted within the Scopus and Web of Science databases, culminating in the selection of 32 pertinent documents from a pool of 849 Based on the relevance or research question and the field of women entrepreneur studies and in terms of the validity of the journals. After screening; 32 articles selected for synthetic and coding process.
Findings: Based on the findings of the meta-synthesis, 33 components were identified within five main dimensions as factors influencing. They include (1) structural (2) gender-related (3) normative (4) individualistic (5) business-oriented, and (6) identity-related facets influencing the process of identity formation. Furthermore, the consequential factors of constructing an entrepreneurial identity, including posh factor and pull factor, were also identified during the research. As it found Building an entrepreneurial identity will remove stigmatized identities and attract new social and economic opportunities for women.
The obtained dimensions were placed in the form of a multi-level model, which consists of three levels of macro, mezzo and micro levels. Each of these dimensions affect the success of the business and its creation on the construction of identity at different levels. At the micro level, we are faced with individual motivations, individual motivations, personal and biographical characteristics. The next level of normative factors and expectations, gender stereotypes, and business-related factors, and at the macro level, political, economic, social, and support structures are presented.
Conclusion/ Implications: The results highlight the importance of entrepreneurial identity in facilitating and shaping business venture processes and the influencing factor on identity construction. The results indicate that entrepreneurial identity influence by several factor in micro mezzo and macro level. By identifying and clarifying the key factors that play a role in shaping entrepreneurial identity in women, this research provides insights and practical guidance for policymakers, women entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders involved in these processes. This research showed that the discussion of identity and its effective factors includes all three levels: individual and micro, organizational, business, interpersonal and macro level. In research literature, macro structures, including political, cultural, and gender factors, are more important, and the focus of research is more towards macro or micro factors, and it seems that we are facing the missing link between macro and micro levels. there is a need to focus on identity at the business level and identity at team level.
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