4.6.2025
Doctoral thesis on the complex dynamics of gender in entrepreneurship
M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) Linh Duong’s doctoral thesis in International Marketing will be put forth for public defence at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics, and Law at Åbo Akademi University.
The thesis is entitled Gender co-construction and co-display in entrepreneurial pitching context – Towards a pluralistic perspective on gender research in entrepreneurship.
The public defence of the doctoral thesis takes place on Thursday 12 June 2025 at 1PM in Stora auditoriet, ASA, Vänrikinkatu 3, Turku. You can also follow the defence online. Professor Natalia Vershinina, Audencia Business School, France, will serve as opponent and Professor Malin Brännback, Åbo Akademi University, as custos.
Summary
This doctoral thesis explores the complex dynamics of gender in entrepreneurship, focusing on how gender is co-constructed and co-displayed in both the frontstage (public presentations) and backstage (preparation) of entrepreneurial pitching. By drawing on dramaturgy, gender as a social structure, and entrepreneurship-as-practice literature, the thesis also investigates how gender operates across individual identities, interactions, and institutional norms.
The thesis consists of three empirical studies, two of which were conducted in Finland, and one conducted in Finland and partly in Sweden. The thesis follows a qualitative research design and is strongly informed by post-structural feminist theory. The empirical data is varied, including pitching videos (99 short pitches), interviews (18), and observation note data (132 pages). The analysis approach is narrative and constructivist grounded theory.
The thesis contributes to gender and entrepreneurship research by showing how gender is embedded in entrepreneurial pitching performance and its practices both in the frontstage and in the backstage. It highlights the need to recognize and support diverse forms of entrepreneurial expression, especially those that do not conform to the dominant masculine ideals. By incorporating the perspectives of various entrepreneurial actors, the thesis highlights the need to adopt a pluralistic approach in entrepreneurship research. The research has societal implications by advocating for better awareness about gender issues in entrepreneurship, enabling entrepreneurial actors to reflect and initiate changes.
Linh Duong was born in 1989, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She can be reached by email linh.duong@abo.fi.
The doctoral thesis can be read online through the Doria publication archive.
Click here for a press photo of the doctoral student.
Instructions for following the doctoral defence remotely:
To follow the defence, you need the Zoom software or the Google Chrome browser. You do not need to create a Zoom account to follow the defence. If you install the application, you participate by clicking on the meeting link, after which you should allow the link to open in the Zoom app.