Founder Imprinting and Gender Dynamics: Implications from Coworking Spaces

Abstract

Coworking spaces are growing exponentially in the U.S. and worldwide and offer entrepreneurs a location to collaborate, network, and be part of a meaningful community. As such, coworking spaces offer a unique research opportunity to explore how the founders of coworking spaces envision and create their venture influences other entrepreneurs. Coworking spaces can be considered mini ecosystems of interconnected actors who have a range of ties but are also influenced by the very system they are a part of (i.e., the founder and coworking space). Thus, coworking spaces provide a novel context, allowing new insights into how a founder's new venture vision and creation can have intended and unintended consequences on their organization's gender equality and dynamics, thus influencing female entrepreneurs' business personal outcomes. Qualitative interviews were conducted with five founders from four coworking spaces across six locations. Interviews were also conducted with 52 staff and coworkers across locations and 550 hours of observation. Findings indicate that the founder’s vision for their coworking space imprints onto their organizations, influencing the coworkers drawn to the space and, ultimately, business and personal outcomes for female entrepreneurs. This research provides important insights into theories on founder imprinting and gendered organizations and how founders have the power to change the gender dynamics of their organizations.