Title: Engaging with entrepreneurial diversity: an intersectional framework

Authors: Verena Meyer; Stefanie Pakura; Valentina Seidel

Addresses: Institute for Management & Organization, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany ' School of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, Chair of Management and Digital Markets, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany ' Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Office for Equal Opportunities, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany

Abstract: Entrepreneurial diversity is a rising topic in entrepreneurship research. We currently see a growing number of studies that focus on various single categories of diversity, such as gender, race, age, sexual orientation, physical ability and other categories. While this broadens our sight, we question: How is diversity conceptualised in entrepreneurship research? Based on an intersectional approach, we develop an analytical framework to review the literature on entrepreneurial diversity. This review reveals how researchers have conceptualised entrepreneurial diversity. From this, we derive five key challenges. As entrepreneurship research needs a deeper understanding of diversity, we develop recommendations based on intersectionality to address these key challenges. This way, we contribute to the conceptual understanding of entrepreneurial diversity and provide practical guidance for researchers to engage with entrepreneurial diversity.

Keywords: intersectionality; entrepreneurial diversity; inequality; discrimination; power; gender; ethnic diversity; cultural diversity; migration; reflexivity; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEV.2021.116836

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, 2021 Vol.13 No.3, pp.288 - 318

Received: 31 Jan 2020
Accepted: 30 Sep 2020

Published online: 04 Aug 2021 *

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