Gender, STEM women and entrepreneurship: a review and future research directions

Abstract

PurposeThis invited paper aims to explore current knowledge and recent trends within published management research to illustrate the development and contribution of research on this topic and to outline promising future research directions.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review of 34 articles between January 2018 and August 2022 has been undertaken, which reflects the increased scholarly attention, in recent years, upon the topic of women entrepreneurs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).FindingsThis review highlights that this topic remains under-explored and that recent research tends to explore STEM women's entrepreneurial activity in different country contexts. The opportunity exists to advance theoretical understandings of how gender is operationalised within gendered contexts and places.Originality/valueThis paper reviews research to date and offers suggested avenues for further research.