Forced to Play by the Rules? Theorizing how Mixed–Sex Founding Teams Benefit Women Entrepreneurs in Male–Dominated Contexts

Abstract

We examine how establishing a mixed–sex entrepreneurial founding team may benefit women entrepreneurs in male–dominated cultures and industries. We contend that as a result of sex–based stereotypes, women entrepreneurs face unique obstacles in securing access to resources for their ventures. We argue that one way for women entrepreneurs to overcome these obstacles is to partner with a man. Drawing upon institutional, resource–based, and network theories, we theorize how partnering with a man may help provide women entrepreneurs in male–dominated contexts with enhanced legitimacy, access to a larger number of resources, and a stronger, more diverse social network.