How Covid-19 has underlined Women Entrepreneurs' Resilience

Adeeko, Nkechi; Treanor, Lorna

Abstract

This paper critically analyses the complexities of identity work amongst refugee women entrepreneurs in the UK. Once labelled as refugees, individuals are homogenised and disadvantaged by association with this stigmatised identity. We explore how women refugees undertake dynamic identity work to recreate themselves as entrepreneurs attempting to ameliorate such stigma. Using case study evidence, we find that claiming an entrepreneurial identity enables the refutation of the stigmatised refugee label and as such, it can be personally enhancing improving well-being and socioeconomic standing. The vestigial negative effects upon access to entrepreneurial resources arising from gendered constraints and a refugee background however, persist. Thus, these refugee entrepreneurs face a double-edged sword; while challenging stigmas through entrepreneurship is potentially liberating, having a refugee background acerbates the impact of enduring structural challenges upon women's entrepreneurial activity. This has implications for venture potential and relatedly, to the sustainability of fragile entrepreneurial identities amongst a cohort of vulnerable women. Abstract This article critically analyses the complexities of identity work amongst refugee women entrepreneurs in the UK. Once labelled as refugees, individuals are homogenised and disadvantaged by association with this stigmatised identity. We explore how women refugees undertake dynamic identity work to recreate themselves as entrepreneurs attempting to ameliorate such stigma. Using case study evidence, we find that claiming an entrepreneurial identity enables the refutation of the stigmatised refugee label and as such, it can be personally enhancing improving well-being and socioeconomic standing. The vestigial negative effects upon access to entrepreneurial resources arising from gendered constraints and a refugee background however, persist. Thus, these refugee entrepreneurs face a double-edged sword; while challenging stigmas through entrepreneurship is potentially liberating, having a refugee background acerbates the impact of enduring structural challenges upon women's entrepreneurial activity. This has implications for venture potential and relatedly, to the sustainability of fragile entrepreneurial identities amongst a cohort of vulnerable women.

Citation

Adeeko, N., & Treanor, L. (2021). How Covid-19 has underlined Women Entrepreneurs' Resilience. People Development Magazine,

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 3, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 18, 2021
• Publication Date: Jun 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 22, 2021
• Journal: People Development Magazine
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Gender; Refugees; Stigma; Identity Work; Intersectionality Key words: Gender; Refugees; Stigma; Identity Work
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5808899
• Publisher URL: https://peopledevelopmentmagazine.com/2021/06/18/how-covid-19-has-underlined-women-entrepreneurs-resilience/
• Additional Information: This article is based partly on findings detailed in Adeeko, N, and Treanor, L: ‘Negotiating stigmatised identities: enterprising refugee women in the United Kingdom’, International Small Business Journal. DOI: 10.1177/0266242621997033, and Dr Treanor’s forthcoming research.