Proactive and reactive plots: narratives in entrepreneurial identity construction

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to offer a new perspective on entrepreneurial identity as a narrative construction, emerging in stories about entering the family business.Design/methodology/approach: The qualitative methodological approach involves an interpretative analysis of transcribed interviews, conducted in narrative style with 12 women from Swedish family businesses.Findings: By presenting entrepreneurial identity as a combination of two distinct narratives, the "passive" entrance into the family business is highlighted. The 'Pippi Longstocking' narrative illustrates conscious choices, drive and motivation based on an entrepreneurial identification; the proactive plot. The 'Alice in Wonderland' narrative on the other hand, illustrates women who happen to become entrepreneurs or business persons because the family business was there: the reactive plot. The contrasting and complementing narratives illustrates ambiguities in the identity process. Practical implications:We identified the following opportunities for women in family business; (1) the family business can offer easy access to a career and on-the-job learning opportunities, (2) education in other areas can be useful when learning how to manage and develop the family business, and (3) the family business offers a generous arena for pursuing a career at different life stages. We also present implications for education as well as for policy makers. Originality/value:The narratives presented are given metaphorical names with the intention to evoke the reader's reflection and reasoning by analogy, which can lead to new insights. The use of metaphors illustrates multiple layers and ambiguities in identity construction. Metaphors can also create awareness of the researcher as a co-creator of knowledge.

From feminism to FemInc.ism: On the uneasy relationship between feminism, entrepreneurship and the Nordic welfare state

“…women's engagement in business followed the same gendered pattern (Klyver 2011;Dalborg et al 2012;Bjursell and Melin 2011;Holmquist and Sundin 1990;Shane et al 1991;Kolvereid et al 1993;Ljunggren and Kolvereid 1996 In the first theme, we discuss studies that address how women's entrepreneurship is positioned in various contexts, such as the contexts of family, the economy, the media, and the welfare state. The second theme addresses government support for women's entrepreneurship.…”

Gender theory and the family business

“…This field of study is relevant because others have also concluded that increasing numbers of women are entering family businesses and taking up leadership positions (Barrett & Moores, 2009;Harveston et al, 1997). The move from the family context to the business context has an impact on the individual woman´s identity process (Bjursell & Melin, 2011).…”

“…In line with the diversity in family businesses and believing that theorising in entrepreneurship has much relevance for family business, there is a link between gender and entrepreneurship and gender and family businesses. Bjursell and Melin (2011) argue for a shift away from focussing on the entrepreneur as a masculine concept towards understanding entrepreneurship as a combination of the masculine and the feminine. They use stories about women entering the family business and offer a new perspective on entrepreneurial identity as a narrative construction.…”

“…Last but not least, future research should focus on understanding family business as a combination of the masculine and the feminine (Bjursell & Melin, 2011).…”

“…According to Bjursell and Melin (2011), in family-owned firms, the contexts influencing the construction of meaning and identity among family members are family, business, and gender.…”