How can research contribute to practice and policy? Professor Colette Henry Centre for Veterinary Enterprise Royal Veterinary College / WEC Chair - ICSB
Current state of research on women’s entrepreneurship Developments in Theory 1.Early studies - descriptive, ‘gender as a variable’ approach 1.Highly informed conceptual frameworks. 1.Recognition of gendered perception of women entrepreneurs as inferior to men.
Contribution in practice -Structured, coherent & collaborative research efforts -Dedicated journals & symposia -Global understanding -Better informed education, training & support policies
Case Example: Veterinary Sector 24,000+ vets & 9,300+ vet nurses working in the UK 50% vets and almost all (98%) vet nurses are women Nearly 5,000 vet practices, mostly owned by men 80%+ vet students are women!
‘What’s happening out there?’ (Curran & Storey, 2002) What impact will the feminization of the profession have? What are women’s business ownership intentions? What are the implications for veterinary business education?