Exploring Challenge-based Outcomes for Disadvantaged Individuals to launch an Entrepreneurial Venture

Abstract

Grounded in the theoretical model of challenge-based entrepreneurship, this study interprets transgender individuals as disadvantaged individuals in the socio-cultural context of Pakistan. The study aims to explore challenge-based outcomes that help them to launch an entrepreneurial venture. Based on the interpretative phenomenological study, twelve transgender entrepreneurs were identified through purposive and snowball sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Following an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the study revealed that stigma associated with non-binary gender identity causes multiple challenges and resulted in connecting with the community, sense of resilience, demonstrating a healthy attitude towards society and true self-esteem. These outcomes are crucial for them to launch an entrepreneurial venture. The insights of this study open new horizons in entrepreneurial research to understand challenges from a different perspective of gender. The results provide a self-help mechanism on the individual level to cope with the disadvantage associated with the challenge(s) that may lead to the launch of an entrepreneurial venture.