Navigating Masculinity and Ethnicity: Identity Work among Surinamese-Dutch and Antillean-Dutch Immigrant Men Entrepreneurs in the Netherlands
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2025-06-26
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en
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This thesis explores how Surinamese-Dutch and Antillean-Dutch immigrant men entrepreneurs
navigate their entrepreneurial identities at the intersection of masculinity, ethnicity and
immigration background within the Dutch context. Using frameworks like entrepreneurial
identity work, compensatory identity work, and hegemonic masculinity, this thesis analyses the
identity constructions in their business practices, while the focus on Caribbean-Dutch
entrepreneurs contributes to greater understanding of legitimacy-gaining practices by minority
entrepreneurs. The qualitative, exploratory study is based on thirteen in-depth interviews with
entrepreneurs of Surinamese and Antillean descent. The findings suggest that traditionally
feminine entrepreneurial traits are regarded as more influential than stereotypical masculine
behaviours. Furthermore, the entrepreneurs’ ethnic and migration backgrounds inform socially
driven entrepreneurial orientation. Authenticity, moreover, emerged as a central value among
participants; however, dominant societal norms occasionally compel some entrepreneurs to
engage in compensatory identity work to attain legitimacy
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen