%0 Journal Article
%T Women Founders in the Technology Industry: The Startup-Relatedness of the Decision to Become a Mother
%A Katherina Kuschel
%J Administrative Sciences | An Open Access Journal from MDPI
%D 2019
%R https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci9020030
%X This paper explores the decision to become a mother among women in the technology industry, particularly if there is an ¡°optimal context¡± regarding startup development (business stage and size). Eighteen interviews were conducted with an international sample of women founders and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings suggest two sources of ¡°mumpreneurs¡± in technology ventures: (1) women who created a startup while young and childless, postponing maternity until the business is ¡°stable¡±; and (2) mothers who created a technology venture as a strategy to gain higher levels of flexibility and autonomy than they experienced in the corporate world. The first group is highly work-role salient, while the second is highly family-role salient. The results of this work contribute to theory development by revealing the ¡°startup-relatedness¡± of family decisions by women founders in the technology industry. I offer recommendations of how accelerators can improve mentorship for women in high-growth technology ventures and unleash women¡¯s potential. View Full-Tex
%U https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/9/2/30