Becoming an entrepreneur: a diversity of factors, types and pathways

Abstract

This paper is the result of a research focused on the study of entrepreneurial patterns, contexts and experiences. Its particular objectives are the analysis of the different pathways to become an entrepreneur. On the basis of in-depth interviews to women and men entrepreneurs about their individual trajectories, a typology of access to entrepreneurship is proposed. This categorisation expresses different combinations of social factors and places particular emphasis on the effects that gender and qualifications have on the decision to become selfemployed, without neglecting the importance of socioeconomic circumstances, interpersonal networks and family relationships.