Mapping Women’s Geography of Fear onto the Entrepreneurial Landscape

Abstract

In studies of emotion in entrepreneurship, the link between gender and geography and the effects of both on women's decisions about whether or not to engage in business-related activities, are areas relatively unexplored. In response to this identified research gap, we have conducted a study that proposes the concept of the 'geography of fear’ and examines female entrepreneurs’ relationships with, and use of, physical places and spaces needed for business social activities. Previous studies that address the fear of harm in entrepreneurship and the associated gendered norms regarding women’s use of space, are rare. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 female nascent entrepreneurs. Based on participants’ narratives, it is the perception of others tied with gender norms, proneness to vulnerability and coping mechanisms, which in the context of women entrepreneurship contribute to the development of the geography of women entrepreneurs’ fear and to understanding the intersection between emotions, gender and geography in influencing women’s entrepreneurial decisions in their use of space.