Improving participation of women innovators and techpreneurs in regional innovation ecosystems: The creation of “new spaces” McMurray, J., Kuschel, K., Ettl, K., Mandakovic, V., Sveistrup,H., McNeil, H., Sixsmith, J. G-Forum, 21th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation October 5, 2017 University of Wuppertal, Germany
We gratefully acknowledge the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council for their support through Connection Grant 6112016 0546.
Regional innovation systems encourage the development of innovative outputs & entrepreneurial activity (Cooke, 2001;Caryannis, Barth & Campbell, 2012)
Source: McMurray et. al (2016)
Mixed Methods:
• • • •
• Nominal Group Technique (Delbezq & van de Ven, 1971) & Discourse Analysis of group discussions • Sensitizing presentations: • “Thinker” presentations • “Thought Provoker” - Pecha Kucha style Group brainstorming & consensus Removal of duplicates & discussion Ranking exercise (Qualtrics© Survey) • 7 point Likert Scale (not at all important – very important) Discussions recorded and transcribed verbatim – inductive coding using NVivo v11
Preliminary Findings • Day 1 – General issues • 27 insights & possible research questions identified • 20 achieved consensus [examples below] Questions
Mean
How do we empower under represented women without isolating them? How do we address the issue of gender bias with people who deny its existence? What are the subtle lessons girls receive/observe that affects later career decisions? Culture within which we operate affects our perspectives
6.44
Minimu m
Maximu m
Std Deviation
Var
Count
1
7
1.5
2.25
16
6.06
1
7
1.6
2.56
16
6
4
7
1.04
1.09
11
5.93
4
7
1
1
15
What support do women want/ need to thrive in innovation systems? How do we challenge or change gendered processes in ecosystems? Have women tell their success stories
5.92
3
7
1.54
2.38
13
5.57
4
7
1.18
1.39
14
5.56
1
7
1.66
2.75
16
Women influence many generations with narratives and history of innovation and entrepreneurship
5.53
1
7
1.63
2.65
15
Preliminary Findings • Day 2 – Issues related to women in regional innovation systems that support health & age-related technology • 53 insights & possible research questions identified • 42 achieved consensus Questions
Mean
Min
Max
Std Dev.
Var.
Count
How do we bridge the gap between research, commercialization and government (creating better alignment, real world impact and incentives). What are the top challenges facing health care product innovators getting to market? How do we close the salary gap between men and women?
6.32
2
7
1.22
1.48
19
6.24
5
7
0.87
0.75
21
6.1
4
7
1.06
1.13
21
Can women help other women who want to innovate?
5.93
4
7
1.06
1.13
15
How to make growth and societal impact metrics of performance that are valued as much as $$$? How can the potential to create social values, health, well-being, health and life-affirming aging (life quality) be activated (disruption)? How can women assume leadership roles in creating community hubs (especially as this is a new area with lots of potential to shape it)? Relevance of creating hubs to access a care system
5.89
4
7
1.17
1.36
19
5.89
4
7
1.17
1.36
19
5.88
3
7
1.28
1.63
17
5.86
3
7
1.25
1.57
22
What local policies and practices are required to assist women entrepreneurs to thrive in the local innovation ecosystem?
5.8
4
7
1.21
1.46
20
Analysis of Symposium Discourse Preliminary findings from our analysis has identified a number of emerging themes: • Making “space” for women innovators and entrepreneurs includes both physical and institutional structures but also untraded dependencies such as trust, social capital and shared norms & values, culture and language • Regional and sectoral ecosystems are heterogeneous and…so are the needs of women innovators & entrepreneurs • Gendered perspectives have not been integrated into policy/programs
Analysis of Symposium Discourse …continued: • Entrepreneurs (& researchers) need to better understand regional ecosystems from a gendered perspective for path determination • Education and training on innovation & entrepreneurship would benefit from a[n early] gendered perspective • Developing a deep understanding of successful women innovators and entrepreneurs should help to scale greater participation • Intersectionality complicates our understanding of what works - government, industry, universities, civil society, socio-cultural norms & “place”
Future Research Opportunities • Partnership Development Grant – Explore theoretical relationships between women innovators & entrepreneurs & regional innovation systems – Explore institutions, international best practices and programs that increase participation & success of women innovators & entrepreneurs in regions
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Many thanks for your attention!
Kerstin Ettl University of Siegen Juniorprofessorship for Entrepreneurial Diversity & SME Management Kohlbettstr. 15 57072 Siegen, Germany Phone: +49 271-740 5206
[email protected]
