Title: STEM educated women entrepreneurs in Denmark, Latvia and Turkey: a context-based explorative study

Authors: Sanita Ármane; Seda İrem Gärtig; Silke Tegtmeier; Alexander Brem

Addresses: Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark ORCID: 0000-0003-2807-5779 ' Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark ORCID: 0000-0003-2807-5779 ' Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, Alsion 2, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark ORCID: 0000-0003-2807-5779 ' Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 19, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany; University of Southern Denmark, Mads Clausen Institute, Alsion 2, DK-6400 Sønderborg, Denmark

Abstract: The number of women entrepreneurs has increased significantly over the past years. However, literature suggests that women from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are inadequately represented in this growing trend. Meanwhile, the circumstances which cause this underrepresentation have not yet been sufficiently analysed. To help fill this gap, this paper focuses on women's entrepreneurship in specific educational and country contexts, acknowledging that relations between these factors play a crucial role in entrepreneurship. By means of an explorative approach, 21 interviews with seven STEM educated women entrepreneurs from Denmark, Latvia and Turkey have been conducted and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. The results show the main motivations, challenges, and support sources for the women entrepreneurs, and provide important advice for future women entrepreneurs as well as for policy makers to increase the number of STEM educated women on the national level.

Keywords: women entrepreneurs; female entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; STEM; science; technology; engineering; and mathematics; context; Denmark; Latvia; Turkey.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2021.114409

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2021 Vol.13 No.2, pp.186 - 216

Received: 30 Jun 2019
Accepted: 19 Feb 2020
Published online: 20 Apr 2021 *

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