| Abstrakt: |
Race is a social construct expressed and reproduced in different social structures, such as organizations, and, particularly important in the scope of this study, entrepreneurship. Building on social identity theories and racialized social systems framework, we examine entrepreneurship through a racialized lens, exploring how the entrepreneurial process reflects several aspects of the racial identity of the individual. Using a discursive approach, we analyze 21 reflective interviews featuring African American entrepreneurs and inductively derive racialized discourses related to entrepreneurship. Findings uncover three thematical conversations expressing racial identity: (1) racial identity in the entrepreneurial venture -- African American identity is expressed and experienced in business through tapping into a racialized market need, pursuing co-ethnic products and goods, facing hurdles coupled with racial discrimination and experiencing a racialized meaningfulness of the venture; (2) racial identity in the personal life -- African American identity is expressed through family racial identity, experiences of schooling as a racialized structure, and episodes of racial segregation and systemic racism; and (3) social affirmation of racial identity -African American identity is expressed socially as pride and legacy. Our study challenges the notion of race-neutral entrepreneurship and supports that entrepreneurship is an empowering mechanism for racial agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
