Constructions of gender in support practices: an international comparison
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | HÖGSKOLAN FÖR LÄRANDE OCH KOMMUNIKATION I JÖNKÖP - Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation i Jönköping AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 000 000 |
| Project duration | January 2009 - March 2012 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
This project aims at investigating how those who work to support women´s entrepreneurship in three different countries conceptualize gender, and women as entrepreneurs, assuming that such conceptualizations 1) are dependent on a country´s cultural, political and institutional orders and 2) influence the design of the support programs. The project builds on the observation that international (read Anglo-Saxon) and non contextualized research results and experiences on women´s entrepreneurship are often uncritically imported to Sweden. Disregarding cultural, political and institutional differences may result in program design that is less than optimal for our country.
Results and expected effects
Through increased understanding of cultural and institutional differences, as well as differences in conceptualizations of gender and gender roles, this research will aid the the design of more locally relevant and effective programs to support women´s entrepreneurship in Sweden.
Approach and implementation
This research combines three different methods: 1. Interviews with actors who work to support women´s entrepreneurship in three different countires. 2. A comparison of legislation and family policy between the countries and 3. Document studies regarding support practices for women´s entrepreneurship in the three countries. A discourse analytical approach will be used and the research is grounded in feminist theory.