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Trailing Wives and Constrained Agency Among Women Migrant Entrepreneurs: An Intersectional Perspective

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  • Paul Lassalle
  • Eleanor Shaw

Abstract

This article applies an intersectional lens to analyze the lived experience of 11 women migrant entrepreneurs based in the UK. We adopt structuration as our ontology to analyze intersectionality in entrepreneurship at the interplay of macro-level structures and micro-level agency, addressing tensions between determinism and subjectivism. Findings show that women migrant entrepreneurs are trailing wives who experience constrained agency which influences their entrepreneurial activities. By highlighting the specific issues faced by entrepreneurs situated at the intersection of the oppressive structures of patriarchy and outsidership, we advance the intersectional agenda in entrepreneurship research and policymaking.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Lassalle & Eleanor Shaw, 2021. "Trailing Wives and Constrained Agency Among Women Migrant Entrepreneurs: An Intersectional Perspective," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(6), pages 1496-1521, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:45:y:2021:i:6:p:1496-1521
    DOI: 10.1177/1042258721990331
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Isakova, Elina & Stroila, Iulia, 2025. "Turning the tables towards gender inclusivity in entrepreneurial ecosystems," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    3. Rosanna Garcia & Rachel M. B. Atkins & Ezekiel Bonillas & Candida Brush & William B. Gartner & Friederike Welter & Haya Al-Dajani & José Ernesto Amorós & Karin Berglund & Anne de Bruin & Pascal Dey , 2026. "How Should We Study Heterogeneity in Entrepreneurship? Moving the Field to an Inclusive Approach," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 50(2), pages 355-397, March.
    4. Sreenita Mukherjee & Patrizia Kokot‐Blamey & Tessa Wright, 2026. "Exclusion by Design: Postcolonial Consciousness and the Indian Female Migrant Architect in the United Kingdom," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 508-520, March.
    5. Aaron Anglin & Garry D. Bruton & Marcin Bielicki, 2025. "No Credit for Success, Penalized for Failure? An Examination of Entrepreneur Race, Gender, and Prior Fundraising Track Records in Crowdfunding," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 49(5), pages 1392-1430, September.
    6. Rawan Almohanna & John R. Bryson & Amir Qamar, 2026. "Quiet Encroachment and Female Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia: An Intersectionality Plus Approach," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 246-260, January.
    7. Arora, Punit & Nagaraj, Priya & Bengoa, Marta & Mukherjee, Debmalya, 2025. "Immigrant entrepreneurship in the United States: Intersectionality as a blessing and a curse," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(4).
    8. Kassa Woldesenbet Beta, 2025. "Effectuation in Crisis: How Displaced Women Entrepreneurs Adapt Strategies for Sustainable Business in Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, May.
    9. Anna Brattström & Karl Wennberg, 2022. "The Entrepreneurial Story and its Implications for Research," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(6), pages 1443-1468, November.
    10. Sundas Hussain & Natalia Vershinina & Charlotte Carey, 2025. "Defying the Odds? Multiple disadvantage as a Source of Entrepreneurial Action," Post-Print hal-04931667, HAL.
    11. Imaobong James & Tolulope Ibukun & Poh Yen Ng, 2026. "Opportunities or Threats: Impact of Digital Engagement on Marginalized Women Entrepreneurs," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 164-180, January.

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