Feminist Theory of Entrepreneurship
Feminist Theory and Entrepreneurship: Bridging the Gender Gap
How can feminist theory enlighten us about the state of modern business? For the most part, women entrepreneurs remain in the minority, particularly regarding high-growth ventures.
The statistics paint a stark picture. According to recent data from PitchBook, companies founded solely by women garnered only 2.3% of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in the US in 2020. This disparity naturally leads to criticism of the "old boys club" in venture capital investment.
While there are indications that these trends are shifting, feminist literature provides the theoretical framework to understand why these systems exist and how they can be dismantled.
Anthropological Roots: Hunter vs. Gatherer
Hurley (1999) suggests that our understanding of business evolution is often biased by gendered history:
"Traditional anthropological theories stated that the key factor in human evolution was the male’s hunting activities... Feminist theories showed that women’s activities were the key factors in human evolution. The activities of gathering, childbearing, and childrearing developed the social skills of co-operation, sharing, and tool making."
This suggests that the "soft skills" often devalued in traditional corporate structures (cooperation and community building) are actually foundational evolutionary assets.
Three Feminist Perspectives on Entrepreneurship
Greer and Green (2003) propose that there isn't just one "feminist view." Different streams of feminist theory have vastly different implications for how we should support women entrepreneurs.
- The Liberal Feminist Approach: This view sees men and women as essentially equals. It argues that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men within the existing system. However, critics argue this approach undermines women in their unique roles, such as mothers, by forcing them to conform to a male-designed workplace.
- The Marxist Feminist Approach: This perspective views parenting and housework as forms of productive but unpaid labor. It argues that this unpaid burden hinders women's entrepreneurial behaviors. It advocates for structural economic changes, such as state-funded maternity leave and mother-friendly labor programs, to level the playing field.
- The Radical Feminist Perspective: This approach argues that the current system is inherently patriarchal and unfixable. It calls for men to be equally involved in parenting but also proposes separatist measures. This includes creating incubators, funding networks, and programs dedicated exclusively to women, tailored to their unique biology and life experiences.
Entrepreneurship as Emancipation
Another take, often called the Positive Approach, views entrepreneurship as a means to overcome inequality.
According to Hurley (1999), entrepreneurship can be a tool for advancing women's rights. By stepping out of the traditional labor market (which may discriminate against them) and creating their own ventures, women can bring themselves out of disadvantage and restructure the work environment to fit their lives.
Video: Feminist Perspectives on Work
References
Greer, M. J., & Greene, P. G. (2003). Feminist theory and the study of entrepreneurship. New Perspectives on Women Entrepreneurs, 1-24.
Hurley, A. E. (1999). Incorporating feminist theories into sociological theories of entrepreneurship. Women in Management Review, 14(2), 54-62.
