Dataset PhD Chapter Six: Influential Actors

Chapter 6 turns to the institutional dimension of entrepreneurial ecosystems by examining: How do influential actors uphold existing norms despite recognising the need for transformation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem? In this chapter we examine if the persistence of inequalities in the entrepreneurial ecosystem is not merely a failure of policy implementation but a function of institutional maintenance, wherein entrenched norms and power structures are subtly reinforced even as organizations claim to embrace inclusivity. The research employs a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews (25) with influential actors within the Dutch entrepreneurial ecosystem. The qualitative data were analysed in MaxQda software using thematic analysis to identify patterns of behaviour that contribute to institutional maintenance. This approach allowed for an exploration of both conscious and unconscious behaviours that perpetuate gendered norms within the ecosystem. This dissertation concludes with a chapter that discusses the key findings of this dissertation are in light of their implications for future research.