Rhizomatic Approach and Women's Entrepreneurial Trajectories: A Literature-Based Typology

Abstract

In a context characterized by the complexity of socio-economic challenges and rising societal expectations, women’s entrepreneurship provides a particularly rich field of analysis, revealing multiple and non-linear dynamics. This research revisits women’s entrepreneurial trajectories through the lens of the rhizome in order to highlight the diversity of forms of social innovation they develop and the ways in which these initiatives are embedded in diverse networks and institutional and territorial contexts.

From an academic perspective, this study contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding of the relationship between women’s entrepreneurship, social innovation, and rhizomatic thinking. From a managerial perspective, it provides useful insights for practitioners and policymakers seeking to design more inclusive support mechanisms and public policies.

Despite the growing body of research on women’s entrepreneurship and social innovation, women’s entrepreneurial trajectories are still largely examined through linear models. The use of non-linear approaches remains relatively limited in analyzing how women entrepreneurs construct, reshape, and redirect their trajectories in response to constraints, opportunities, and transformations in their environments. This theoretical gap calls for new analytical lenses capable of better capturing the complexity and fluidity of these trajectories.

Methodologically, the research relies exclusively on a literature review, which is used to develop the proposed typology and to contextualize and synthesize existing conceptual contributions.

The findings identify four patterns: circumvention, hybridization, relational weaving, and transformative resilience.

JEL Classification: L26

Paper Type: Theoretical Research