Gender and Diversity in Entrepreneurship

Baddela, Sravani (2025) Gender and Diversity in Entrepreneurship. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This dissertation explores issues of gender and diversity in entrepreneurship, more specifically the experiences of women in high-growth or venture-focused business arenas. The perception of entrepreneurship as the driver for innovation and economic growth stands generally true; however, in practice, gender disparities remain deeply embedded in access to resources, leadership opportunities, and representation. Women entrepreneurs very often encounter systemic barriers such as restricted access to funding, and exclusion from relevant networks, while societal expectations continue to influence various business decisions and all professional identities.

The aim to this research is to analyze female entrepreneurship in terms of barriers perceived by women, the formation of an identity, and career satisfaction, in the context of structural and cultural factors. Drawing primarily on Irish cases (with UK/US comparators), this interpretivist secondary-narrative study uses thematic analysis of publicly available interviews, podcasts, case studies, and peer-reviewed literature. This approach allows for a critical analysis of real entrepreneurial narratives that shed light on the social dynamics and gendered challenges women negotiate with the absence of primary data collection.

Thematic analysis serves to highlight recurrent patterns across the body of data. Emerging themes observe gender discrimination in investment and leadership recognition, society's norms as a modulating force for business behavior, and the psychological impact of navigating entrepreneurship in male enclaves. Many stories also describe interspersed strategies of resilience, flexibility, and self-empowerment that women implement while keeping their earnings sustainable or growing their income.

The study, therefore, adds to the extensive field of gender-aware entrepreneurship research by giving voice to multiple female perspectives while spotlighting the problems remaining with structural inequalities. It also stands as evidence of employing alternative qualitative paradigms in exploring complex social realities. The results aid policymakers, educators, and business-supporting organizations interested in the creation of more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Supervisors:	Name Email McCabe, Thomas UNSPECIFIED
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Diversity H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > Gender H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > New Business Enterprises H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Classes of Labour > Women and Work
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > Master of Science in Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Ciara O'Brien
Date Deposited:	11 Feb 2026 12:45
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2026 12:45
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9118

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