Drawing on interviews with 29 women entrepreneurs, Demirez’s research finds that despite the socio-cultural differences between Finland, which is praised for its progressive gender policies, and Turkey, where gender inequality is more pronounced, women in both countries face gendered obstacles that shape their entrepreneurial careers in surprisingly similar ways. The study also highlights the ways whereby the women manage gendered inequalities to build successful businesses on their own terms.
Demirez’s research is particularly timely as international policy debates and industry initiatives increasingly focus on women in tech, gender equality at workplaces, and how inclusive innovation contributes to economic growth. By focusing on high-value, knowledge-driven sectors, her study provides insights that go beyond general entrepreneurship. It shows that existing policies and business cultures often overlook the specific needs of women entering fields like science and technology, where support remains limited, and gender norms persist.
The dissertation questions the assumption that gender equality has been “achieved,” particularly in high-skilled sectors, and highlights the need for more targeted support in KIE. The findings offer practical guidance for policymakers, business developers, and educators in building more inclusive innovation ecosystems. Supporting women in entrepreneurship involves not just funding, but rethinking gendered systems—such as social, economic, cultural, or institutional structures—questioning stereotypes, and creating environments where women’s entrepreneurial potential can fully develop. While this research focuses on knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship, many of its insights are relevant to other forms of entrepreneurship as well.
Public defence on Friday 9 May
M.Sc. Demet Demirez’s doctoral dissertation in the field of Gender Studies titled Gender (in)equalities in Knowledge-Intensive Entrepreneurship: Experiences of Women Entrepreneurs in Finland and Turkey will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tampere University at 12.00 o’clock on Friday 9 May 2025. The venue is auditorium K103 in the Linna building on the city centre campus (address: Kalevantie 5, Tampere). The Opponent will be Docent Saija Katila from Aalto University. The Custos will be Associate Professor Hanna Ylöstalo from Tampere University.