Entrepreneurship under patriarchy: the intersecting forces characterising everyday life for Nigeria's women entrepreneurs.

Onoshakpor, Chioma; Cunningham, James; Gammie, Elizabeth

Abstract

Nigeria presents something of an entrepreneurial paradox. Women in entrepreneurship dominate the economy, yet patriarchal structures dominate society. This article investigates how patriarchal factors impact entrepreneurial processes, in turn, creating unequal expectations of entrepreneurial opportunity. The study adopts an intersectionality lens to explore how patriarchy is manifest for entrepreneurs. The reflective narratives of 30 entrepreneurs are analysed, provided through semi-structured interviews. An inductive qualitative approach accesses the gendered discourse of entrepreneurship as constructed by entrepreneurs. Within this discourse, the factors of patriarchy are exposed. Findings reveal a multi-faceted patriarchy, with the informing factors of entrepreneurial gender roles, class and religion. The study explains how the interaction of these factors reinforce patriarchal ideals and create a variety of gendered images of what is acceptable entrepreneurial activity in Nigeria, and for whom. This study contributes to growing insight on entrepreneurship in Africa and challenges linear arguments of entrepreneurship-as-emancipation for women. In complex and multidimensional contexts, entrepreneurs must navigate the intersection of factors sensitively, ensuring acceptance and fulfilment of societal expectations. The power of intersectionality as a theory of contextualisation is discussed.

Citation

ONOSHAKPOR, C., CUNNINGHAM, J. and GAMMIE, E. 2025. Entrepreneurship under patriarchy: the intersecting forces characterising everyday life for Nigeria's women entrepreneurs. International journal of entrepreneurial behavior and research [online], 31(1), pages 246-264. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-04-2023-0334

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 18, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 14, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 22, 2024
• Journal: International journal of entrepreneurial behavior and research
• Print ISSN: 1355-2554
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-6534
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 246-264
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-04-2023-0334
• Keywords: Women entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Patriarchy; Women and society; Nigeria
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2307803