Abstract
The publication of a new book on entrepreneurship and diversity is a refreshing and important contribution to ongoing scholarly discourse, and it also provides us with an opportunity to take stock of the academic contributions shared by a collection of scholars in the field. Against this background, Spinder Dhaliwal has, to a very large extent, produced a well-curated and timely book that illuminates the various discourses on real-life narratives of entrepreneurs that have, at various points, been underexplored in academic research. The richness of perspectives showcased celebrates the strength that diversity brings to entrepreneurship – so credit is due to the editor and contributors for capturing this so effectively.
When discussing entrepreneurship and diversity, we refer to significant transformations in how societies are structured, and how we perceive these structures. Since the 1980s, we have witnessed significant shifts in how entrepreneurs – particularly, those who do not fit conventional molds – are perceived. As Vertovec (2023) suggests, this transformation includes a degree of change that spans economic, political, social and cultural dimensions (see also Falehin et al., 2024; Rosenau, 2003; Wiltshire, 2001). Diversification and its connection to entrepreneurship represent that model of social transformation. However, to understand the rise of diverse entrepreneurial ventures, we need to challenge traditional business norms while highlighting the importance of inclusive practices.
Spinder’s approach to this shift indicates a broader societal recognition of varied identities, experiences and perspectives, which can drive innovation and economic growth. The outcome, which is well-founded, indicates that diversity in entrepreneurship covers not only demographic differences, such as gender, ethnicity and age, but also diverse approaches to problem-solving and creativity. Of course, the book provides evidence that as societies evolve, so too does the understanding that a wide range of voices and experiences can lead to more robust and resilient economies. The careful scholarship presented is reflected in how the chapters are organised and split across 16 fascinating case studies, preceded by Spinder’s preface outlining the object of study.
In her preface, Spinder suggests that diversity is at the heart of such transformation, and this statement was – rightly in my view – met with appreciation. I agree that, to a large extent, it marks out the contours of the book in a way that people will find much immediate interest and value in the collection of work.
The comments in the introduction prompt two important observations – in order of importance, first, the fact that diverse students can easily relate to the material and be inspired is itself a welcome perspective. Readers familiar with diversity and decolonisation understand the need to move away from traditional, isolated approaches and adopt a more holistic, interdisciplinary model that reflects the interconnectedness of today’s global economy. The second point is that Spinder doesn’t claim that it will be useful for practitioners and policymakers, which in my assessment are well-placed to benefit from this book; however, this doesn’t negate the value of the book’s contributions. Meanwhile, readers need to bear in mind that Spinder takes a more nuanced approach to the collection of chapters, which is necessary to advance our practical and theoretical understanding of entrepreneurship and diversity issues. The respective authors are clear about how their chapters address key questions that have largely gone unexamined. I believe this is because, in the field of entrepreneurship, there is a need to place more weight on the importance and scope of pertinent issues. As we read through the chapters, there is clarity in addressing many ambiguous topics.
Chapter two is particularly satisfactory, as it sheds light on challenges – often overlooked – faced by typical tech startups, especially female entrepreneurs whose difficulties are further compounded by disabilities. This case primarily reflects the book’s emphasis on diversity and the emerging challenges faced by entrepreneurs with disabilities. Given the book’s significance, it is certainly an exciting development to see the range of factors that impact the entrepreneurial legitimacy of people with disabilities.
Chapter three provides an informative commentary on the historical context of immigration in cities such as Leicester and its outcomes in terms of social and economic changes within the scope of cultural diversity. The authors include a helpful summary of concepts like interculturality and intercultural entrepreneurship. Interestingly, the application of a framework represents a fascinating and explosive opportunity to connect many of the chapter’s ideas, and the authors acknowledge the optimism surrounding how social integration can shape the brand and identity of cultural attractions. It is interesting to speculate on how this can undoubtedly help others make sense of their own experiences.
The following chapter illustrates the unique challenges faced by female Pakistani entrepreneurs – who, for those unfamiliar, often experience both gender and age discrimination due to prevailing cultural norms. The chapter offers interesting narratives; for example, it illustrates that while ethnic cultural contexts provide positive aspects in terms of social capital, many cultural norms create a complex web of constraints and social expectations. I believe this discussion enhances our understanding of how certain norms do not necessarily favour female entrepreneurs. Suffice it to say, the authors face a tricky trade-off between how these female entrepreneurs overcome their cultural contexts, which I believe represents the main takeaway for readers. In my opinion, they get it right in providing a good springboard that others may use in pursuing these ideas further.
Chapter five addresses the outsidership dilemma of a health tech startup entering the U.S. market and highlights how outsidership – a term I am becoming more familiar with, much like foreignness – affected their legitimacy. Therefore, it is increasingly necessary for readers to draw strong links between outsidership and foreignness within the context of firm internationalisation. The arguments put forward suggest a need to reconsider internationalisation strategies. However, although exciting, the chapter’s conclusion feels open-ended, leaving readers eager for more insight into the resolution of the case. Ignoring the insights from this chapter will almost guarantee a lack of success.
Chapter six focuses on migrant entrepreneurship in regional Australia, while Chapter seven, which explores the experiences of a former refugee woman from an ethnic community, stands out for its unique perspective. Together, they broadly echo the book’s agenda – to illuminate the disadvantages faced by these entrepreneurs. Chapter six takes an additional step by examining how contextual factors shape the distinctiveness of Australian entrepreneurs and offers an exploration of the challenges they face. Meanwhile, Chapter seven revisits the theme of ethnic entrepreneurship, this time through the lens of New Zealand’s refugee quota programme. In employing the concept of self-discovery, the authors’ intent is firm and their purpose clear regarding the trend of resourcefulness in refugees, and they are able to inform us by drawing on human capital theories and Sarasvathy’s (2001) effectuation theory. Naturally, my own observation of both chapters is that the authors have undoubtedly established the process of entrepreneurial identity development.
Chapters eight and nine are highly engaging, and it is at this point that the authors, by way of background, examine Turkey and China separately. In Chapter eight, they highlight how gender differences are overcome and the strategies employed to comply with socially embedded roles in a male-dominated sector. Chapter nine has much to offer and provides preliminary observations on institutions and female entrepreneurship in China. One of the most valuable insights from this chapter is the authors’ demonstration of how various institutional factors shape female entrepreneurship, while simultaneously revealing how cultural values present both opportunities and barriers within family businesses. While it’s evident that the chapter touches on familiar ground and shares similar insights into issues encountered in other contexts (see Omeihe, 2023), it does so with unique detail and from a fresh contextual perspective.
Chapter 10’s arguments interpret the case of female entrepreneurs and the discrimination they face in South Africa. The ensuing explanation builds on how women entrepreneurs circumvent challenges posed by a lack of support by drawing on the twin aspects of embeddedness and social capital. Indeed, the authors commendably clarify the South African institutional environment – strongly shaped by apartheid – but this clarity falters briefly in attempting to connect what institutions really are, as rules of the game (North, 1990). However, the authors’ willingness to show how social embeddedness and social capital are useful in alleviating discrimination provides preliminary but insightful guidance to readers.
For matters of detail, here and elsewhere, I would ask the readers to refer to the idea that female entrepreneurship in rural areas can be supported through mentoring, which should be seen as a key to success for them. This importance is a welcomed perspective in Chapter 11 and contains some novel materials for me. I am intrigued by the support mechanisms discussed, which suggest that female entrepreneurship – and perhaps entrepreneurial support – can be more effectively mobilised through mentoring, which appears to reveal a significant degree of imbalance in rural areas. The authors take this a step further by presenting stories of women entrepreneurs and demonstrating that their experiences with mentorship in rural entrepreneurship increase the likelihood of success. This is certainly an exciting development and highlights how the often-uncaptured idea of rural contexts can affect the experiences of entrepreneurs, particularly as the authors do not gloss over the fact that mentoring is crucial for business success.
Chapters 12 and 13 focus on the mindset of entrepreneurial learning and how business decisions can be applied to entrepreneurial ventures. In Chapter 12, the notes on mindset learning provide a useful account of the distinct characteristics required in an entrepreneurial mindset, especially in social entrepreneurship, and how self-efficacy and stakeholder engagement can enhance the chances of success. This is a defensible view, with a unique backstory linked to knowledge exchange throughout the learning process. Chapter 13 shifts to social entrepreneurship in Marrakesh and Morocco by exploring the experience of opportunity recognition by a female foreigner from the Netherlands aiming to start a business in a predominantly religious Muslim country. This interpretation captures how some principles of social entrepreneurship can be effectively applied to small non-profits. From the authors’ perspective, it can be argued that responsible entrepreneurial initiatives offer evidence of significant contributions to driving development while avoiding broad generalisations.
Chapters 14 and 15 hold good promise for the book. Chapter 14 is essentially a primer on how to apply certain skill sets to the issues facing women entrepreneurs. This is because the authors provide a detailed illustration of entrepreneurial opportunity identification and development by contending that passion, resilience and creativity are significant for women entrepreneurs. Indeed, the evidence illuminates the effectuation process of entrepreneurship, and the reader now learns how some observable elements of knowledge, and social networks can be used to overcome dual identity and cultural challenges. We are compelled to admit, and all too happily, that this makes sense for self-reinforcing actions.
In Chapter 15, on the quest for identity, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs at work and in business are highlighted, along with an examination of the role of social context in entrepreneurial venture creation. There is undoubtedly an unusual way in which the authors summarise a positive strategy for how ethnic immigrant entrepreneurs may overcome cultural dual identity challenges, but they effectively convey a pleasing understanding of social factors such as push and pull factors. This is a fine approach.
For the final Chapter 16, we are left with the idea that the issues facing Black Indigenous people of colour are significant. The authors adopt a somewhat unique narrative about gentrifying Brooklyn and do justice in exploring the implications of launching and scaling a business in such neighbourhoods. In this context, some will indeed be interested in how the authors provide a valuable account of gentrification. We learn about the fundamental asymmetry in how the pace of gentrification impacts the opportunities and challenges for place-based business entrepreneurs as they offer evidence that advances the subject.
Taken as a whole, and given the intellectual contributions, I believe that Spinder’s curation of these cases deserves every credit and strengthens our understanding of what we should know. Spinder would answer, I believe, that this book will be useful to many women facing seemingly insurmountable barriers to success, despite the weaknesses of their particular contexts. As such, it is difficult to see how this book wouldn’t help push the subject of entrepreneurship and diversity forward. To some extent, perhaps the most significant omission may be in the field of technology and AI – specifically, how these areas affect women entrepreneurs – because there still appears to be a lack of knowledge.
Nonetheless, there is no reason for us not to enjoy and welcome this engaging read. By the end, I have read this book and found it to be a valuable account of the entrepreneurship and diversity that Spinder and the authors propose. I believe that the efflorescence of the issues, including my implied suggestion, indicates that the book is a worthy read and significant for revisiting and rethinking how to advance progress towards new knowledge. Overall, fantastic strides have been made in understanding entrepreneurship and diversity; perhaps a more inclusive and dynamic ecosystem is on the horizon?
