Title: Mumpreneurship: a new concept for an old phenomenon?

Authors: Katia Richomme-Huet; Virginie Vial; Aude D'Andria

Addresses: CEMM GRIDS, Euromed Management, Domaine de Luminy, BP 921, 13288 Marseille cedex 9, France ' CEMM GRIDS, Euromed Management, Domaine de Luminy, BP 921, 13288 Marseille cedex 9, France; DEFI (AMSE, AMU), Château Lafarge - Route des Milles, 13290 Aix-en-Provence Les Milles, France ' University of Evry Val d'Essonne, Boulevard François Mitterrand 91025 Evry Cedex, France

Abstract: While mumpreneurship - entrepreneurship by mothers, is not a new phenomenon, it represents a new concept that is still in its infancy in need of a theoretical definition backed up by empirical validation. We review the emerging mumpreneurship literature, frame it with literature on women entrepreneurship, and define mumpreneurship as the creation of a new business venture by a woman who identifies as both a mother and a business woman, is motivated primarily by achieving work-life balance, and picks an opportunity linked to the particular experience of having children. By way of a quantitative study, we first validate that mother entrepreneurs present characteristics that are significantly different, and therefore constitute a sub-group of entrepreneurs. Additionally, in-depth interviews of mumpreneurs support the definition in terms of identity, motivation and opportunity recognition. We conclude that mumpreneurship constitutes a strong affirmative action in terms of her identity and dual role in society.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; women entrepreneurs; mothers; female entrepreneurs; mumpreneurs; work-life balance; identity; motivation; opportunity recognition.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2013.054966

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2013 Vol.19 No.2, pp.251 - 275

Published online: 30 Sep 2013 *

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