Introduction to the research handbook on disability and entrepreneurship

Abstract

This is a collection of international studies to further explore, re-think, and recognize the value created by disabled entrepreneurs beyond economic, cultural, and geographical contexts. This volume co-creates useful knowledge and expertise of a range of disabled entrepreneurs and their ventures that can feed joint learning, innovative practices and evidence-based policy-making for all types of entrepreneurs to build and grow successful ventures and gender-inclusive growth in any context, worldwide. In particular, we highlight the importance of disabled women entrepreneurs as agents of change for society and the economy. We suggest how in certain developing economies, negative social views of venture creation by women and disabled people dominate. These social views can be value-destructive. Accordingly, a principal goal of the focus in this volume on disability and women entrepreneurs is to generate better understanding of the significant contributions of disabled entrepreneurs to the economy, regardless of the nature of their ventures and of their social, political, and economic status.