Martinez Dy, Angela, Marlow, Susan and Martin, Lee (2017) A web of opportunity or the same old story? Women digital entrepreneurs and intersectionality theory. Human Relations, 70 (3). pp. 286-311. doi:10.1177/0018726716650730 ISSN 0018-7267.

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Abstract

This article critically analyses the manner in which intersectionality and related social positionality shape digital enterprise activities. Despite popular claims of meritocratic opportunity enactment within traditional forms of entrepreneurship, ascribed social characteristics intersect to influence the realisation of entrepreneurial potential. However, it is purported that the emerging field of digital entrepreneurship may act as a ‘great leveller’ due to perceived lower barriers to entry, disembodiment of the entrepreneurial actor and the absence of visible markers of disadvantage online. Using an interpretivist approach, we analyse empirical evidence from UK women digital entrepreneurs which reveals how the privileges and disadvantages arising from intersecting social positions of gender, race and class status are reproduced online. This analysis challenges the notion that the Internet is a neutral platform for entrepreneurship and supports our thesis that offline inequality, in the form of marked bodies, social positionality and associated resource constraints, is produced and reproduced in the online environment.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts > Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies > Centre for Cultural Policy Studies Faculty of Arts > Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Entrepreneurship, Internet, Electronic commerce, Women, Sex role
Journal or Publication Title:	Human Relations
Publisher:	Sage Publications Ltd.
ISSN:	0018-7267
Official Date:	1 March 2017
Dates:	Date Event 1 March 2017 Published 10 June 2016 Available 16 May 2016 Valid 18 April 2016 Accepted
Volume:	70
Number:	3
Page Range:	pp. 286-311
DOI:	10.1177/0018726716650730
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	30 August 2016
Date of first compliant Open Access:	30 August 2016
Open Access Version:	Other

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