Entrepreneurship by persons with disabilities: A comparative study of Irish and European contexts

Entrepreneurship can provide Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with opportunities for economic independence, social inclusion, and empowerment; however, institutional, social, and economic barriers continue to restrict participation. This study examines how institutional frameworks, societal attitudes, and entrepreneurial ecosystems shape PwD entrepreneurial experiences across Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. Adopting a qualitative comparative case study approach, the study draws on 24 semi-structured interviews with PwD entrepreneurs, policymakers, mentors, and entrepreneurship support practitioners. Thematic analysis identifies four key challenges: limited financial access, social stigma and legitimacy issues, lack of tailored mentorship, and digital divide and assistive technology gaps. Findings reveal stronger institutional coordination in Sweden and Denmark, while Ireland and the United Kingdom demonstrate more fragmented support structures. Drawing on Institutional Theory and Emancipatory Entrepreneurship Theory, this study shows how institutional conditions shape whether entrepreneurship becomes a pathway towards empowerment or a response to structural exclusion.