Women Entrepreneurs in the Circular Economy

Global Experiences

Lisbeth Clausen
Emerald
Emerald

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Hardback
9781837082551
06 August 2025
$110.00
eBook (PDF)
9781837082544
25 June 2025
$110.00
eBook (ePub)
9781837082568
25 June 2025
$110.00

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  • Description
  • Contents
  • Reviews
  • About

Entrepreneurship has long been a way for women to create economic opportunities, especially in challenging environments. Women entrepreneurs are essential in transforming their communities and industries within the global circular economy. By challenging traditional models and addressing urgent issues like environmental sustainability, they are leading a transformative movement that seeks to foster a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

In Women Entrepreneurs in the Circular Economy: Global Experiences, author Lisbeth Clausen presents ten compelling stories of women founders across seven different countries, from Japan to Colombia. Their experiences reveal the diverse ways these women navigate barriers in cultural attitudes, access to resources, and work-life balance. Clausen’s study is unique for its in-depth ethnographic approach, which includes a novel approach to collaborative immersive fieldwork, interviews, and local expertise. These detailed case studies provide a nuanced understanding of how business acumen, culture, and innovation intersect in the entrepreneurial journeys of these women. By richly exploring diverse cultural contexts and personal narratives, Clausen and her colleagues provide a powerful tool for understanding both the challenges and opportunities women face in the circular economy.

This work is essential for anyone interested in culture and diversity studies, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and students in higher education, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs seeking global insights.

Chapter 1. Introduction; Lisbeth Clausen

  • Chapter 2. Trends in International Women Entrepreneurship Studies; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 3. Women’s Entrepreneurship (WE) Model; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 4. Case Studies Overview; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 5. Japan: Remi’s Havary’s Spring Water in Recyclable Carton Packs; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 6. Bali, Indonesia: Kelly and the Sungai Watch “River Warriors”; Lisbeth Clausen, Hanne Pico Larsen, and Kristine Hornshøj-Harper
  • Chapter 7. Bali, Indonesia: Sari and the Bali weavers in Nusa Penida; Lisbeth Clausen, Kristine Hornshøj-Harper, and Hanne Pico Larsen
  • Chapter 8. Lebanon: Sally’s Insights on the Rise of Female Entrepreneurs; Lisbeth Clausen and Sally Shamieh
  • Chapter 9. Denmark: Aviaja’s Agrain by Circular Food Technology; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 10. Denmark: Shefali Ranthe, Bangladeshi-born Artist, Activist and Art Educator; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 11. Senegal: Moussou’s Maribou Tailor Brand, The “African Zara”; Lisbeth Clausen and Djiby Anne
  • Chapter 12. Senegal: Issina Nature – Healthy Natural Afro Cosmetics; Lisbeth Clausen and Djiby Anne
  • Chapter 13. USA: Lily Mendoza’s Book Business and Native American Activism; Lisbeth Clausen
  • Chapter 14. Colombia, La Guajira: Milba’s Traditional Mochila Bags and Artisan Business; Lisbeth Clausen, Doris Isabel Acuña Medina, Claudia Vélez-Zapata, and Jacobo Ramirez
  • Chapter 15. Conclusion; Lisbeth Clausen

Such an important book on how ten women entrepreneurs in seven countries design their work toward better lives locally and globally through attention to UN Sustainability Development Goals and circularity.

Readers can’t help but be amazed at these women’s problem-solving skills, passion, and collaborations. Rooted in ethnographic research, Clausen narrates riveting tales about challenges and successes in entrepreneurial endeavors while offering fresh insights for interdisciplinary scholarship and practice. This is the kind of book I would buy and could use in classes like organizational and managerial communication.

A must read!!

- Patrice M. Buzzanell, Distinguished University Professor, University of South Florida

Lisbeth Clausen is an Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Denmark, in the Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC). Her field of study is organisation and management. In 2025 she celebrates her 25th anniversary as a researcher and educator at CBS.