Motivations and challenges of women entrepreneurs

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 338-355
Author(s):  
Swati Shastri ◽  
Shruti Shastri ◽  
Abhishek Pareek
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Specific

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations and key challenges women entrepreneurs experience in running small businesses in the Jaipur city of Rajasthan. Design/methodology/approach A purposive sample of 13 women entrepreneurs from a cross-section of enterprises is selected. A qualitative methodology based upon semi-structured, in-depth, exploratory interviews with female entrepreneurs is used which enables the respondents to give voice to their individual experiences. Findings The study reveals that pull factors including the urge for creativity, innovation, self-identity and independence, and to serve the society are the main motivations for female entrepreneurs to start their venture. From the institutional theory perspective, the challenges of female entrepreneurs originate mainly from informal institutions. A significant challenge is that their ability as a professional entrepreneur is not recognized and acknowledged by the society. Furthermore, the cultural norms reflected in the gender-specific role distribution result in the problem of work–life balance. The challenges emerging from the formal institutions do not appear to be pervasive and gender specific. Originality/value The unique contribution of the study is to provide evidences on the motivations and challenges of women entrepreneurs in Rajasthan based on qualitative data derived from in-depth interviews. Furthermore, the study is the first attempt to view the motivations and challenges of female entrepreneurs from an institutional perspective for India in general and Rajasthan in particular.

Exploring women entrepreneurs’ motivations and challenges from an institutional perspective: evidences from a patriarchal state in India

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Shastri ◽  
Shruti Shastri ◽  
Abhishek Pareek ◽  
Riddhi Sudhan Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Institutional Environment ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the motivational drives of women entrepreneurs and highlight the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs operating micro, small and medium enterprises from an institutional perspective in Rajasthan – a patriarchal state in India. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on data collected from a questionnaire survey conducted from July 2018 to January 2019 on 347 women entrepreneurs operating in seven districts of Rajasthan. Descriptive and factor analysis were used to find the major motivations and challenges of the entrepreneurs. Findings The findings indicate that intrinsic factors, namely, growth, creativity, autonomy and rejecting stereotypical gender identity are primary motivations driving women entrepreneurship in Rajasthan. Further, institutions pose challenges rather than offering a motivational drive to female entrepreneurs. The two most critical challenges, which the women entrepreneurs face are gender stereotypes and the lack of social capital. In patriarchal societies, entrepreneurial roles are considered masculine than feminine. Furthermore, cultural norms reflected in gender-specific role distribution result in the problem of work-life balance. The lack of both bonding and bridging social capital in terms of family support and networks, respectively, also reflects an unfavorable informal institutional environment. Originality/value The study adds to the sparse empirical literature on the motivations and challenges of women entrepreneurs in the Indian context. This study explores the motivations and challenges of female entrepreneurs from an institutional perspective for India in general and Rajasthan, in particular, using a large, heterogeneous sample using factor analysis.

The role of export promotion programs in the internationalisation of female-owned enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gitte Ohrt Rosenbaum
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Export Promotion ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

Purpose While the role of government-funded export promotion programs (EPPs) on the international activities of small ventures has been previously documented, they do not appear to have been hitherto studied in a gendered context. This is unfortunate given the evidence suggesting growing numbers of female entrepreneurs with strong international orientation. Thus, this study aims to provide a better understanding of the experiences and practices of women entrepreneurs with regard to EPPs. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on personal interviews with eight female-owned international entrepreneurial ventures in the fashion design industry in Denmark. A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences of the women entrepreneurs regarding different types of EPPs and their various providers, and the data were analysed and interpreted using the NVivo software program. Findings The results show that while the level of awareness of EPPs was generally high, the programs were overwhelmingly perceived to be overly expensive, excessively time-consuming, insufficiently specific and largely irrelevant. When the women business owners had availed themselves of their services, the usefulness of the EPPs was deemed to be largely imperceptible. Plausible explanations for these results may be found in the gendered entrepreneurial literature. The study’s findings provide important gendered insights to government support agencies charged with promoting the internationalisation of female-owned small businesses. Originality/value This study presents novel gendered findings of the experiences of female entrepreneurs regarding the role played by EPPs in the growth of their firms on international markets. It contributes to the literature on the growing phenomenon of female international entrepreneurs.

Constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries: review and ranking

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Panda
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Work Family Conflict ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personality Differences ◽  
Work Family

Purpose This paper aims to identify and ranks constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries. It offers a framework to differentiate between the constraints faced by male and female entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach The paper engages in an exhaustive literature review and uses a qualitative methodology to categorize and rank entrepreneurial constraints. Findings Constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries arise from gender discrimination, work-family conflict, difficulty in raising capital, lack of infrastructure, unstable business, economic and political (BEP) environments, lack of training and education and personality differences. The study suggests that in addition to financial constraints, unstable BEP environments need to be addressed as top priorities. Originality/value This study offers a broad overview and ranking of the constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries. It brings together literature on women entrepreneurship from multiple countries and creates a condensed body of knowledge. This paper bridges the gap between entrepreneurship theory and practice and gives direction to policy makers in creating a conducive environment for the success of women entrepreneurs.

Determinants of female entrepreneurs growth intentions

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabi Sidi Ali
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Entrepreneurial Ability ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Status Of Women

PurposeThis paper seeks to find factors that influence the growth intention of female-owned small businesses in the Ghana’s tourism sector. The purpose of this paper is to investigate why some female entrepreneurs achieve growth objectives while others do not.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the authors seek to understand the growth intention within the tourism sector because it is not clear why some female entrepreneurs in Ghana pursue growth. The study applies quantitative techniques. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 110 female tourism entrepreneurs in Ghana. Data analysis was conducted using the non-parametric procedures of Spearman’s rank correlation.FindingsThe findings of this research reveal that female tourism entrepreneurs in Ghana feel they can expand without entrepreneurial ability(ies). However, the growth of the venture is restricted by the lack of financial resources. Opportunities in the tourism sector do generate more customers, but cannot alone determine growth intentions. Furthermore, an important finding of this study is that business advisory services do not contribute significantly to the growth intention of the venture. The research made clear that the pursuance of growth is related to different types of opportunities and finance leveraging.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has gender-specific, industry-specific, size-specific and region-specific limitations. Another limitation is focus on entrepreneurial ability, opportunity and business advisory support services as determinants of female entrepreneurs’ growth intention.Practical implicationsThis study provides useful information for government, business agencies and academics seeking reasons on why female entrepreneurs have low growth intentions. Policy measures are provided in assisting women in achieving their growth aspirational needs and suggestions are recommended to encourage women to grow their small tourism businesses.Social implicationsThe research will contribute to improve the socio-economic status of women entrepreneurs in Africa.Originality/valueThis paper addresses an under-researched area of female tourism entrepreneurs and their growth intention from the perspective of a developing country such as Ghana.

Challenges and enablers of women entrepreneurs’ career advancement in Vietnam’s coffee industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giang NT Nguyen ◽  
Thinh Gia Hoang ◽  
Tam Minh Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Thien Ngo
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Career Advancement ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Concept Generation ◽  
Contextual Influences ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Purpose This paper aims to explore the motivational factors and contextual facilitators of female entrepreneurs in Vietnam’s coffee industry and also the barriers facing them. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the grounded theory approach, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 31 women entrepreneurs in the coffee industry in the rural Central Highlands of Vietnam. Findings This study found that necessity-driven factors play an important role in motivating female entrepreneurs to advance their careers. However, these factors may be transformed into the opportunity-driven motives. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Asia’s collectivism culture and family support significantly affect the success of the women entrepreneurs, although gender inequality is not perceived as a serious constraint in entrepreneurial activities. Research limitations/implications This study has implications for the literature of women entrepreneurs regarding motivations and contextual influences in agricultural and rural areas of Vietnam. However, the sample size is relatively small which limits the concept generation of the study. For further research, a larger sample size with different business sectors should be considered to generate more explicit findings. Practical implications The findings from this study can assist the policymakers in developing strategies and governmental policies to support the career advancement of women entrepreneurs and improving gender equality in Vietnam. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature about understanding the motives and the roles of socioeconomic contexts in women’s entrepreneurial activities in agricultural and rural areas.

scholarly journals Are international small business owners really that different?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-117
Author(s):  
Sarah Gundlach ◽  
Andre Sammartino
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Business Owners ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Traits ◽  
Tolerance For Ambiguity ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Do So

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of individual traits and attributes on the entrepreneurial and internationalization actions of Australian businesswomen, many of whom run small businesses. Design/methodology/approach This study is exploratory and quantitative, based on a questionnaire survey of 323 Australian businesswomen. Drawing upon the extant literature on internationalization, gender and entrepreneurship, the study explores two micro-foundational relationships of interest – personality and capability assessment differences between female business owners and their employed counterparts, and the impact of such traits and assessments on their internationalization. A further question is explored in terms of any differentials in perceptions of barriers in internationalization. Findings The findings show key personality dimensions do not differ dramatically between Australian businesswomen working in their own businesses (i.e. entrepreneurs) or as employees in organizations, while there are surprisingly few differences between women who are engaged internationally and those yet to do so. When comparing the female entrepreneurs and employees, in particular, the findings around tolerance for ambiguity and management efficacy are notably counterintuitive. This leads to the development of testable propositions to refine the causal claims in this domain. Practical implications The study calls into question the distinctiveness of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial endeavors, at least for female businesswomen. Originality/value By including entrepreneurs and employees, women who have engaged internationally and those that are yet to do so, the study avoids some of the potential self-selection and confirmation biases inherent in studies of only entrepreneurs or small business owners. The investigation of individual traits, attributes and experiences as micro-foundations for internationalization motivations challenges existing theories of small business expansion.

“What brand do you eat?” The influence of food brands within children’s peer groups

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Hemar-Nicolas ◽  
Mathilde Gollety ◽  
Coralie Damay ◽  
Pascale Ezan
Keyword(s):  
Durable Goods ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Taste Preference ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
The Social ◽  
Influence Of Food ◽  
Individual Decisions

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the role played by food brands within children’s peer groups when they have a meal together. Design/methodology/approach – Sixty-four elementary-aged children participated in one of ten organized snack times (five with unbranded products, five with branded products). Based on a qualitative methodology, data collection methods comprise observations and focus groups with the children. Findings – Children mostly select the products according to their taste preference regardless of the brand name. They make individual decisions and are hardly influenced by their peers. Children use food brands as a common language to designate products, but they do not use them to convey their self-identity and enhance social integration. Research limitations/implications – This research contributes to a better understanding of the way children use food brands within peer group, and may be helpful when considering the future of children’s food marketing and tackling the issue of childhood obesity. Originality/value – Whereas prior research has mostly studied the social value allocated by children to durable goods’ brands, such as clothing and electronic items, very few previous studies have focused on food brands.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial learning: gender differences

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignatius Ekanem
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Entrepreneurial Learning ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Programmes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences in the entrepreneurial experiences between male and female entrepreneurs. The study investigates what entrepreneurs learn, how they learn, who they learn from and what prompted such learning. Design/methodology/approach – The data under analysis is drawn from a qualitative study which involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted longitudinally as a case study in ten firms over a period of five years. The case study findings are analysed and discussed using a learning framework. Findings – The findings suggest some differences in the learning experiences between male and female entrepreneurs. Whilst male entrepreneurs were more likely to challenge and depart from industry norms, thus utilising double-loop learning process, female entrepreneurs were more likely to engage in “routinised” learning which enhances confidence, thus adopting the single-loop learning process. Research limitations/implications – The main implication of the study for policy makers is that unique training, networking and support programmes should be designed for women entrepreneurs. The study is limited to the extent that it can be generalised to a wider population of small businesses. Originality/value – To date, there have only been speculations and little understanding about whether there are differences in the entrepreneurial learning experiences between men and women. Thus, policy makers have little guidance as to whether or not unique training and support programmes should be designed for female entrepreneurs. The study is novel in so far as it was conducted longitudinally over a period of five years to sufficiently follow the learning behavioural pattern of entrepreneurs in different business sectors.

Female entrepreneurship in the Baltics: formal and informal context

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanita Rugina
Keyword(s):  
Transition Period ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Female Entrepreneurship ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Baltic Countries ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
The Baltic

Purpose This paper aims to review female entrepreneurship in a (post) transition context, analysing its almost three-decade development in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Little research has focussed to date on female entrepreneurship in the Baltic countries. Using an institutional perspective, this paper aims to explain the unique interplay of formal and informal contexts that have shaped the development of female entrepreneurship in (post-) transition contexts. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on an institutional reading and analysis of secondary data: statistical data, international reports and previous studies on female entrepreneurs. Findings There are more than 130,000 female entrepreneurs in the Baltic countries who share many common features and challenges. While the formal entrepreneurship environment is considered to be very developed in the Baltic countries, women are under-represented among the population of entrepreneurs, and there is gender-based sectoral segregation of female entrepreneurs in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This indicates a need to recognise the diversity of patterns in entrepreneurial development, reflecting different inheritances from the Soviet past and the inertial character of some informal institutions, not to mention the differences in the pace of change during the transition period following the Soviet era. Practical implications This research can be used for academics, professionals, researchers and policymakers working in the fields of small business and entrepreneurship. Its data can furthermore be used to develop evidence-based policy and actions that would foster the participation of women in entrepreneurship in Baltic countries. Originality/value So far, little research has focussed on female entrepreneurship in the Baltic countries. The paper attempts to investigate that Baltic countries with their history of emphasis on gender equality on one hand and the award-winning business and entrepreneurship system on the other hand demonstrate relatively low levels of women’s entrepreneurship. This paper aims to contribute to the field of entrepreneurship, illustrating how entrepreneurship is linked to its social context.

Acceptance of wearable fitness devices in developing countries: exploring the country and gender-specific differences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shweta Pandey ◽  
Deepak Chawla ◽  
Sandeep Puri ◽  
Luz Suplico Jeong
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gender Specific Differences ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

Purpose Notwithstanding the novelty and importance of wearable fitness devices, few studies have focussed on comparing the drivers of adoption and usage of wearable fitness in the context of developing countries. This study aims to explore factors that drive overall acceptance of wearable fitness devices in developing countries (India and the Philippines) and whether the impact of these factors on the intention to adopt (INT) differs by country and gender. Design/methodology/approach The study extends the existing body of knowledge by developing a model that integrates the impact of various perceived benefits (health, autonomy, social, hedonic, symbolic), health self-efficacy (HEALTHSE) and individual characteristics (technological innovativeness [TI]) on the INT wearable fitness devices and the moderating impact of country and gender. The analysis was carried out using partial least square and data of 343 respondents. Findings This study finds that the INT wearable fitness devices by consumers in developing countries are positively impacted by hedonic, health and autonomy, HEALTHSE and TI. Symbolic and social factors do not have any significant impact on the overall INT wearable fitness devices. However, there are country and gender-specific differences that are consequential to the development of marketing strategies. Research limitations/implications The framework and results are specific to the two countries and limited by convenience sampling. Future research can focus on replication across different countries and extend the model with additional contextual factors such as perceived risks. Originality/value To the best knowledge of the authors, this is one of the few studies to examine and compare the drivers of adoption of wearable fitness devices in lesser researched developing countries. Also, it is one of the few studies to compare the moderating impact of country and gender in the context of the INT wearable devices. The study provides a theoretical and methodological foundation for future research, as well as practical implications for global companies developing and promoting wearable fitness devices.

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