18486: Investigating How and Why Men Become Effective Allies in Entrepreneurship (session 26082)

Designated as a “Best Paper” by ENT
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Ongoing evidence of gender inequality and inequity in entrepreneurship has catalyzed growing interest in allyship as a mechanism for creating a more inclusive environment for female entrepreneurs. While the literature is rich in understanding how men become motivated to act as allies and insinuates that the journey to effective allyship is often marked by “stumbling”, characterized by missteps and learning, it falls short of providing a systematic understanding of the persistent barriers men encounter in their allyship efforts and the strategies they use to overcome these challenges. Drawing on interviews with 22 effective male allies nominated by female entrepreneurs, our findings reveal how positioning against stereotypical ingroup norms shapes their perception of barriers, as well as their allyship strategies and behaviors – categorized as relational, advocative, or systemic. Ultimately, we find that utilizing different strategies to overcome barriers is a crucial and ongoing part of the ally journey, contributing to a more nuanced conceptualization of male allyship in entrepreneurship.

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