Phenomenology of Women's Entrepreneurship Across International Contexts

Entrepreneurship often brings to mind innovation, ambition, and strategic acumen, but it is also a field dominated by gendered narratives and masculine associations. Women entrepreneurs worldwide are breaking down these barriers, redefining entrepreneurial success, and developing strategies that reflect their unique experiences within gendered landscapes. Their journeys provide a valuable counterpoint to traditional stories of entrepreneurship, shifting the focus toward resilience, resourcefulness, and positive contributions that women bring to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This edited collection presents an in-depth examination of how women entrepreneurs across diverse global contexts navigate, challenge, and redefine the gendered dynamics of entrepreneurship. Drawing on a range of case studies and interviews from around the world, this volume is rooted in post-structural feminist theory and interpretative phenomenology to delve into the social constructions of gender and the subjective experiences of women entrepreneurs.

Backed by the Women and Economic Renewal Research Chair from the triple-accredited business school, Grenoble Ecole de Management, in Grenoble, France, Los Angeles-based Azusa Pacific University School of Business and Management in the United States, and an extensive international research network, the collection captures the voices of women who use local institutions, cultural practices, and their networks to succeed in sectors as varied as business, technology, and social enterprise.

From Africa, United States, Pakistan, France, Japan, India and China, these narratives collectively enrich the global conversation on women’s entrepreneurship. Ideal for scholars, policymakers, and students of entrepreneurship and gender studies, this work offers a fresh perspective on the strategies and successes of women entrepreneurs, inspiring new avenues for research and practical approaches for supporting women in business worldwide.

Stacy Brecht, DBA is an Assistant Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship and Department Chair of Digital and Strategic Marketing at Azusa Pacific University (APU) in the Los Angeles area.

Séverine Le Loarne - Lemaire is a Full Professor at Grenoble Ecole de Management (France) and holds the FERE Research Chair "Women & Economic Renewal," which she founded in 2016.