Intersectionality, Identity and Resilience Strategies of Women Entrepreneurs in the Digital Era
This research explores how intersectional identities shape entrepreneurial resilience strategies for women in the digital era. It examines the interplay of gender, ethnicity, and technology in constructing entrepreneurial identity, highlighting adaptive responses to digital transformation and socio-economic challenges.
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Summary
Women entrepreneurship, accelerated by digital technology (Pergelova et al. 2019), has been argued to be necessitated by factors such as the opportunity to balance family and entrepreneurial activities effectively, desire for autonomy, as well as an avenue to deal with the glass ceiling within workplaces and personal life incidents like divorce (Vorley and Rodgers, 2014; Oladipo et al., 2023; Rodríguez-Modroño, 2021). Their contribution to economic development (Naguib, 2022) through reduction in social and economic inequalities in male-dominated contexts (Doubogan, 2020) by creating jobs (Rashid and Ratten, 2020), reduction in poverty and social vices within the society (Ogundana et al., 2023) have been well documented in the literature.
However, due to the intersectional identities of women entrepreneurs, they have been suggested to develop entrepreneurial resilience in response to unforeseen precariousness (Vershinina and Rodgers, 2023; Henry et al., 2024). This research seeks to explore how multiple intersecting social identities (such as gender, ethnicity, immigration status, and race) shape the construction and negotiation of women’s entrepreneurial identity in digital business environments. It further aims to identify the strategic and technological resilience strategies that women entrepreneurs deploy to navigate structural constraints while leveraging digital opportunities. Ergo, the study focuses on how women navigate identity negotiation and resilience in digitally mediated business environments, where technology adoption can both empower and marginalise (James et al., 2025).
Methodology
A qualitative design is appropriate for gaining an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs in digital contexts. A social constructivist approach will guide the research, focusing on how entrepreneurial identities are constructed and negotiated. Data will be captured through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically.
Student Specification
- Background in business, management or gender studies.
- Interest in digital transformation and inclusive entrepreneurship.
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