Hegemonic conceptualizations of empowerment in entrepreneurship and their suitability for collective contexts.

Wood, Bronwyn P.; Ng, Poh Yen; Bastian, Bettina Lynda

Abstract

The relationship between empowerment and entrepreneurship in collective societies is, in our view, insufficiently examined. Accepted definitions of empowerment and the assumptions underlying programs and research designs based on them result in outcomes that self-fulfil and, as a result, disappoint. Several issues are prevalent: the empowerment potential of programs is overestimated and the dominant view of what constitutes an 'empowered self' does not go deep enough to explore, and reframe, the self and its relationship to agency—two issues at the core of empowerment definitions and formulations. In this conceptual article, we examine the entrepreneurship and empowerment literature to suggest ways forward for the future health and relevance of the subject area. We highlight a serious methodological and perceptual issue within the literature, which offers many opportunities for theory development in the field.

Citation

WOOD, B.P., NG, P.Y. and BASTIAN, B.L. 2021. Hegemonic conceptualizations of empowerment in entrepreneurship and their suitability for collective contexts. Administrative sciences [online], 11(1), article 28. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010028

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 2, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Mar 9, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 16, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 16, 2023
• Journal: Administrative Sciences
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-3387
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 28
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci11010028
• Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Empowerment; Collectivism; Women; Development
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1887842