Rethinking heteronormativity in entrepreneurship studies research

This review article critiques how entrepreneurship scholars have engaged with heteronormativity. Research on entrepreneurship and heteronormativity is emergent and largely confined to the literature on lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) entrepreneurs. Despite generating valuable insights into heteronormativity’s impact on LGBTQ entrepreneurs, there is unevenness in how it is conceptualised in terms of definition and deployment. Elaborated in a set of critical observations, this article argues that the choices entrepreneurship scholars make about how heteronormativity is (not) defined and utilised are clearly consequential for any analysis of its dynamics in and outside the entrepreneurship domain. To progress debate and research, this article conceptualises heteronormativity as analytical category that is steeped in queer and feminist theory. This review calls for clearer and deeper conceptual engagements with heteronormativity and a more encompassing approach to the study of heteronormativity that also focuses on its relationship with heterosexuality and heterosexual entrepreneurs.