Beyond the Prototype: Unpacking the Intersectional Identity and Image Work of Female Minority Founders in a Startup Context

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Vongswasdi, Pisitta; de Groote, Julia; Heinrich, Janine; Ladge, Jamie
• 署名单位: WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management; WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management; WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management; Boston College
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/apl0001234
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 697-722
• 关键词: intersectionality; entrepreneurship; female minority founders; IDENTITY WORK; startup

摘要

It is well documented that female minority founders (FMFs) face disadvantages in starting and scaling their ventures. However, the causes of these disadvantages-as well as how FMFs navigate these challenges-are less understood. Our article adopts an intersectionality lens, which allows us to focus on and examine the multiple intersecting dimensions of FMFs (such as gender, ethnicity, migrant status, and social class) and how they influence their entrepreneurial experiences. Drawing upon an inductive study of FMFs operating in Berlin, we build a theory on intersectional identity and image work in startup contexts. We found key structural barriers that serve to sustain inequality and continue to favor more prototypical founders. However, we also identified sources of penalties and privileges that exacerbate (or mitigate) inequality and result in founder image discrepancy. Our analysis demonstrates how founder image discrepancy can prompt FMFs to engage in a progression of intersectional identity and image work that shapes their founder identity. These findings advance entrepreneurship and identity research by extending our understanding of how intersectional identity challenges and opportunities manifest and can be managed within startup contexts.