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Networking towards (in)equality: Women entrepreneurs in technology

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  • Banu Ozkazanc†Pan
  • Susan Clark Muntean

Abstract

Deploying a multidimensional framework focusing on individual, organizational and societal factors, we investigate gendering practices through which women entrepreneurs become disadvantaged in the technology sector. Through qualitative fieldwork, we focus on women entrepreneurs' experiences networking to access valuable entrepreneurial resources and examine the role of technology incubators and accelerators in facilitating this access. These organizations have the potential to mitigate gender inequities by adopting gender†aware practices such as increasing access to networks and resources that might otherwise be unreachable for women technology entrepreneurs. Focusing simultaneously on the complex intersections of networking, organizational practices at incubators and accelerators, and institutionalized gender norms in society, we outline how different gendering practices work separately and in tandem to marginalize women technology entrepreneurs. We observe that these organizations engage in ‘gender neutral’ recruitment practices and promote transactional networking which result in the replication rather than eradication of gender inequality. Moreover, organizational attempts to address ‘gender issues’ as they relate to technology entrepreneurs re†inscribe rather than disrupt societal gender norms. Our research offers new insights for understanding the interrelated individual, organizational and societal factors contributing to gender inequality in technology entrepreneurship and provokes discussion on the possibilities for social change.

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  • Banu Ozkazanc†Pan & Susan Clark Muntean, 2018. "Networking towards (in)equality: Women entrepreneurs in technology," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(4), pages 379-400, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:25:y:2018:i:4:p:379-400
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12225
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    2. Sven Horak & Yuliani Suseno, 2023. "Informal Networks, Informal Institutions, and Social Exclusion in the Workplace: Insights from Subsidiaries of Multinational Corporations in Korea," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 633-655, September.
    3. AMOROSO Sara & AUDRETSCH David, 2020. "The role of gender in linking external sources of knowledge and R&D intensity," JRC Working Papers on Corporate R&D and Innovation 2020-05, Joint Research Centre.
    4. Robyn Mayes & Penelope Williams & Paula McDonald, 2020. "Mums with cameras: Technological change, entrepreneurship and motherhood," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(6), pages 1468-1484, November.
    5. Vijayta Doshi, 2022. "Experiencing liminality: At the crossroads of neoliberal and gendered experiences," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1132-1148, July.
    6. Avnimelech, Gil & Rechter, Eyal, 2023. "How and why accelerators enhance female entrepreneurship," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    7. Gil Avnimelech & Yaron Zelekha, 2023. "Religion and the gender gap in entrepreneurship," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 629-665, June.

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