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Family Metaphor, the Geek and the Entrepreneurial Ideal

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Digital Entrepreneurship, Gender and Intersectionality

Part of the book series: Dynamics of Virtual Work ((DVW))

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Abstract

This chapter examines entrepreneurs who have started Internet and mobile technology companies in Taiwan. Technology education and careers remain dominated by men, who often represent themselves as geeks. New digital enterprises are often founded by those with close social ties, typically developed through education and work, and women usually have less access to these networks. The close-knit startup teams are often likened to families, made up of friends and colleagues whom the founders trust. My research indicates that family commitments and childcare affect both men and women, and the analysis details the influences of family on their decision to start a company and the experiences of being entrepreneurs. Class position influences whether entrepreneurs are able to establish new ventures. Instead of monetary gain, many digital entrepreneurs are drawn to the startup sector as an alternative career in a changing social, cultural and economic climate.

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  1. King’s College London, London, UK

    Wing-Fai Leung

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Leung, WF. (2019). Family Metaphor, the Geek and the Entrepreneurial Ideal. In: Digital Entrepreneurship, Gender and Intersectionality. Dynamics of Virtual Work. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97523-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97523-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97522-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97523-8

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