Motherhood among immigrant entrepreneurs in Chile: tensions and coping strategies in digital entrepreneurship

Abstract

Amidst the digital transformation that has accelerated gig work globally, this article tackles the digital entrepreneurship experiences of immigrant mothers in Chile, a demographical group uniquely impacted by the digitalization trend and the COVID-19 pandemic's shift towards remote work. More specifically, it addresses the underexplored nexus of digital entrepreneurship, migration and gender, and how digital platform-mediated self-employment aids in balancing professional and domestic spheres. Based on the analysis of 41 qualitative interviews, with migrant women participating in the ‘Digital Business Transformation’ program, results show a set of coping mechanisms displayed by immigrant mothers to juggle the pressures of motherhood and digital entrepreneurship. The analysis highlights that digital platforms are strategically used as a response to unemployment, inactivity or labour market segmentation, while mothers develop adaptive strategies that combine parenting, entrepreneurial endeavours and additional income-generating activities. While entrepreneurship theoretically promises time autonomy, its daily interweaving with familial responsibilities leads to significant stress, indicating the need for support systems to recognize the complex roles of motherhood, business ownership and formal work engagement. The findings contribute to the discussion on the gendered nuances of migrant entrepreneurship and require a policy framework supporting the multiplicity of roles assumed by women in digital environments.