scholarly journals Gender differences in the use of assistance programs

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juita-Elena (Wie) Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Targeted Assistance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in factors influencing use of entrepreneurial assistance programs by male and female entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach – Data from the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics I are used to determine drivers of assistance program use by men and women using logistic regression. These drivers include size and composition of the start-up team and personal network, experiences of the entrepreneur, team and network; support provided by the team and network, and other factors. Findings – In total, 31 percent of female entrepreneurs and 24 percent of male entrepreneurs in the sample used entrepreneurial assistance programs. Results show that drivers of assistance use do vary by gender. Education, business/entrepreneurial knowledge and involvement in a technology-based start-up are drivers of program use by women. Personal network size, entrepreneurial experience of start-up team, and having worked for parents’ business are drivers of program use by men. Practical implications – This study inform policy and support practices about use of assistance programs and suggests that the support drivers of women are different, justifying continued need for targeted assistance programs such as those specifically for women starting technology-based ventures. Originality/value – This research addresses gender differences in use of assistance programs. Results provide support that a “one-size-fits all” support may not be useful, and that there may be need for targeted assistance programs.

The moderating influence of national culture on female and male entrepreneurs’ social network size and new venture growth

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bat Batjargal ◽  
Justin W. Webb ◽  
Anne Tsui ◽  
Jean-Luc Arregle ◽  
Michael A. Hitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Gender Egalitarianism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to disentangle individual-level gender differences and norm-based gender roles and stereotypes to provide a finer-grained understanding of why female and male entrepreneurs experience different growth returns from their social networks across different national cultures. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a survey of 637 (278 female and 359 male) entrepreneurs across four nations varying on relational culture (importance of social relationships) and gender egalitarianism (importance of gender equality or neutrality in social and economic roles). Findings The authors find evidence that male entrepreneurs in high relational cultures benefit the most in terms of growth in revenues from larger network size while women in low relational cultures benefit the least. In cultures with low gender egalitarianism, male entrepreneurs benefit more from their larger social networks than did the female entrepreneurs. Practical implications The study presents implications for female entrepreneurs’ behaviors to gain more benefits from their social networks, especially in cultural contexts where relationships are important or where there is equality in gender roles. In these contexts, they may need to develop other strategies and rely less on social networks to grow their ventures. Social implications This research suggests that female entrepreneurs still are disadvantaged in some societies. National policy may focus on developing more opportunities and providing more support to women entrepreneurs as a valuable contributor to economic growth of the nations. Originality/value The authors disentangle the effects of gender differences, norm-based gender stereotypes and networks on entrepreneurial outcomes.

Vocational education teachers’ personal network at school as a resource for innovative work behaviour

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Messmann ◽  
Regina H. Mulder ◽  
Tuire Palonen
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Education ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Boundary Crossing ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Work ◽  
Innovative Work Behaviour

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the role of characteristics of vocational education teachers’ personal network at the workplace for determining the resources that enable them to cope with innovation-related demands at work. Design/methodology/approach A survey study with 48 vocational education teachers is carried out. Social network analysis, correlation analysis, and a comparative descriptive analysis of cluster profiles of teachers’ personal network at the workplace are carried out. Findings This study provides evidence for the role of network size as a facilitator of innovative work behaviour (IWB) outside the classroom. However, smaller networks can also support the development of innovations if they contain dense interactions with experienced, innovative professionals. Research limitations/implications This study implies to further investigate the role of network size in relation to the kind of network interactions (e.g. density of interactions and experience of members) in the context of larger and versatile work contexts. Practical implications This study implies that organisations should provide structures, tasks and events (e.g. interdisciplinary work teams and boundary crossing events) that enable employees to build network connections that help them to manage work-related demands. Employees themselves should reflect on their personal interaction preferences, their specific needs for support and the availability of co-workers who can provide this support. Originality/value This study contributes to the discourse on the relationship between professional networks and the development of innovations. Especially, the social work context and its role for IWB have hardly been investigated from a network perspective.

Performance and financing strategies of female and male entrepreneurs in the Republic of Serbia

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danijela Stošic Panić
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The paper examines gender differences in the performance and financing strategies of female and male entrepreneurs in the Republic of Serbia. The aim of this study is to explore the gender dimension – a much under-researched aspect of entrepreneurship in the Republic of Serbia – and to link the findings with those of other environments. Design/methodology/approach To explore gender-based differences in entrepreneurial activity, a random sample of 327 units was drawn from the Serbian Business Registers Agency’s Register of Companies. In total, 101 completed questionnaires were received. The chi-square test of association was used to assess the relationship between two categorical variables, while the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess the statistical importance of the differences between groups of female and male entrepreneurs. The relationship between the performance and different sources of financing was assessed by multiple regression analysis. Findings The results confirm the existence of a gender gap in the net profit, employment growth rate, return on assets (ROA) and in use of various types of alternative financing sources. The evidence shows that those male entrepreneurs who use personal funds achieve lower levels of net profit and ROA compared to those who use internal business sources. Lower ROA is also achieved by those male entrepreneurs who use alternative sources of financing, relative to those who do not use these sources. Female entrepreneurs who applied for bank loans realized higher net profit value compared to those who did not apply for a loan. Moreover, female entrepreneurs who use some kind of state-supported funding achieve higher ROA than those who do not. Other gender differences found regarding the various aspects of the financing practices lacked statistical significance. Originality/value Although the generalizability of part of the findings is weakened due to the lack of statistical significance, most of the expected gender differences were found to exist at the sample level. This encourages further studies of similarities and differences between female and male entrepreneurs’ financing strategies and their impact on business performance. This is particularly important for the environments in which the gender aspect of entrepreneurial activity is under-researched.

The relational capital of micro-enterprises run by women: the startup phase

VINE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Paoloni ◽  
John Dumay
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Relational Capital ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Current Events ◽  
Micro Enterprises

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how relational capital contributes to the startup phase of women-owned micro-enterprises. The motivation for the study stems from the fact that micro-enterprises are key drivers of economic growth and that woman entrepreneurs are key developers of these businesses. Design/methodology/approach – To gather data for our study, a qualitative research methodology was adopted using a case study approach based on examining current events of real life in depth (Yin, 2009). Nine cases of micro-enterprises run by women are analysed, focusing on the management of the start-up phase to investigate the nature and role of the relationships that are activated by the entrepreneurs. Findings – The paper develops the CAOS model of micro-entrepreneurship, examining the personal characteristics of the female entrepreneur (C); the environment in which the micro-enterprise operates (A); organizational and managerial aspects (O); and the motivations for starting a new business (S). Using this model, the authors’ are able to link these factors and classify different types of connections, it is possible to identify the kind of existing relations. From the analysis, it was found that a predominant use of networks characterized by informal and permanent relations, supporting the need to reconcile work and family and to involve relatives and friends in the network. This emphasizes the lack of strategy in the female-run micro-enterprises. Originality/value – Given that female entrepreneurship is regarded as central to the development and welfare of economies, the deepening of knowledge of how women entrepreneurs manage the start-up of her business can contribute to improving the effectiveness policies aimed at promoting the participation of female entrepreneurs in the economy.

Entrepreneurial aspirations and start-up motives of women chemists in Germany

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Pascher ◽  
Melanie Roski ◽  
Brigitte Halbfas
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Employed Women

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to promote better understanding of different women entrepreneurs and self-employed women with regard to their educational level and field of study. Foremost, the aim is providing detailed knowledge about the phenomenon of women self-employed chemists in R & D sectors and throwing light not only on the single women but also on the general conditions they are working in and their opportunities to get ahead. Design/methodology/approach – The interdisciplinary research team followed an integrated research approach and combined qualitative with quantitative methods. By focussing on motives and causes of women self-employed chemists, this paper refers to the findings of two sub-studies, an online survey on self-employed (female and male) chemists in Germany and a qualitative study on the basis of biographical interviews tracing the professional biographies of women self-employed chemists. Moreover, the findings are analysed based on other sub-studies, like the analysis of the (start-up) conditions within the chemical industry and a discourse analysis of a well-known chemical periodical. Findings – It was found that the differences between female and male chemists turning self-employed or starting a business are less pronounced than the differences between male and female founders, in general. Research demonstrates that women chemists do have high qualifications and if they become entrepreneurs, the main cause for that is escaping their organisational employment. Being entrepreneurially active, women chemists might work more satisfactorily, at least they are able to surround the glass ceiling. Originality/value – This paper seeks to fill the gap of limited in-depth information on knowledge about female entrepreneurs and self-employed women with an academic background in chemistry. Focussing on one single field of study and profession of female entrepreneurs is, in that way, unique, as the research has looked on professionals who are not predestined for entry in entrepreneurship.

Determinants of innovation decisions among Emirati female-owned small and medium enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fauzia Jabeen ◽  
Mohd Nishat Faisal ◽  
Huda Al Matroushi ◽  
Sherine Farouk
Keyword(s):  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Skill Development ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Priority Vector ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence the innovation decisions of Emirati women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a two-phased approach. In the first phase, empirical research on 50 Emirati female entrepreneurs is conducted to discover the extent of innovation in their ventures. In the second phase, the study uses an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to prioritize factors considered important in facilitating business innovation among SMEs. The AHP model is developed with 9 criteria and 25 sub-criteria based on the previous literature. Face-to-face interviews are conducted with Emirati female entrepreneurs operating nascent (n = 10), start-up (n = 10) and established innovative (n = 10) businesses to collect data for the AHP study. The data collected are interpreted and a priority vector is assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion. Findings Female SME owners prioritize government policies, research and development, innovation strategy and skill development as the main criteria that influence their innovation decisions. Family support, access to external financing, social networks and the allocation of funds are the main sub-criteria affecting their decisions to be innovative. Furthermore, respondents who are in the nascent business stage consider family motivation as the greatest influence on initiating new ideas through financial and moral support. Among all respondents, the nascent business owners rank skill development the highest because they are still in the initial stages of their business journeys, and thus, obtaining these skills could help them increase innovation and success in their ventures. However, respondents in the established stage rank innovation strategy the highest. Research limitations/implications The study results can help policymakers and women’s associations, such as businesswomen councils, identify the specific inhibitors and facilitators linked to innovation and, thereby, help develop various effective policies to promote innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs. Originality/value The study is one attempt to facilitate innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs through its efforts to discover the determinants of innovation efforts at nascent, start-up and established business stages as defined by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2012). The study can help Emirati women-owned SMEs understand the critical factors influencing innovation and can encourage them to incorporate innovative characteristics for business growth and resilience. Furthermore, the study can provide insights for policymakers, financial institutions and non-governmental organizations on factors hindering innovation among Emirati women-owned SMEs, which may serve as a tool for creating resilience among female entrepreneurs.

How can WeChat contribute to psychosocial benefits? Unpacking mechanisms underlying network size, social capital and life satisfaction among sojourners

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1362-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Pang
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to systematically unpack whether and how WeChat network size is correlated with perceived social capital and life satisfaction among Chinese overseas students in Germany. Design/methodology/approach Based on a web-based survey data collected from 218 sojourners, zero-order correlation analyses and structural equation modeling were separately implemented to tackle the complicated research questions. Findings Findings demonstrate that an individual’s WeChat network size significantly and directly influences bridging, bonding and maintained social capital. Importantly, a path model demonstrates that these distinct dimensions of social capital are all significant predictors of life satisfaction. Furthermore, the empirical evidence reveals that bridging, bonding and maintained social capital can mediate the association between network size and well-being outcome. Research limitations/implications Theoretically, the paper is an initial attempt contributing to the previous studies on estimating the influence of WeChat friendships on social capital and life satisfaction. Practically, these findings will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of effect of personal network characteristics derived from the dominant media interaction on social connectedness and life quality. Originality/value Despite WeChat is immensely prevalent in Mainland China, only few studies have concentrated on the role of WeChat network size in fostering individuals’ social and psychological development. The work provides unique evidence that number of friends on the emerging technology could indirectly benefit sojourners’ satisfaction with life through processes involving diverse categories of social capital in a trans-cultural environment.

Ethnic minority businesses and targeted assistance programs in the US and the UK

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Sonfield
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Minority Business ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Minority Businesses ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Ethnic Minority Businesses ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Targeted Assistance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the current status and the development of ethnic minority businesses in the USA and in the UK. Comparing the two countries’ past, current, and likely future situations and recognizing that each situation offers some lessons to the other, implications for minority business owners and for those who assist or study such businesses in each country are presented. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents descriptive research and analysis, developed from a thorough study of governmental and non-governmental minority business assistance programs, and of corporate procurement programs, utilizing both primary and secondary sources; governmental, non-governmental organization and corporate publications; and the existing academic and practitioner literature. Findings – Practitioners, consultants, and researchers in both the USA and the UK face considerable regulatory, demographic and other challenges and opportunities over the coming years with regard to the status and progress of minority-owned businesses and the appropriate nature of public and private policies and programs to foster and assist such businesses. Each country can benefit from the other's experience, as discussed and explained in this paper. Practical implications – Specific recommendations are provided for those involved with targeted assistance programs in each country – for practitioners, governmental, and non-governmental program administrators, consultants to such businesses, and those who conduct research with this focus. Originality/value – A search of the existing literature indicates that research with this focus has not been previously published.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial Preferences in Oman: A Gender-based differentiation analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Firdouse Khan ◽  
◽  
Adil Bakheet ◽  
Iman Al Maktoumi ◽  
Noura Al Jahwari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Business Experience ◽  
Successful Entrepreneurs ◽  
The Government

Purpose: The research objective was to critically analyze the factors responsible for the gender differences in Oman Entrepreneurship and to critically analyze the prevailing gender differences amongst the motivating factors and the survival factors in running the businesses in Oman. Design/methodology/approach: The research data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire and the data was obtained personally. 381 samples were collected from the population who were reported to be successful entrepreneurs. The selection was obtained from the entrepreneurs’ list provided by the Government Scheme Agencies in Oman like SANAD/RIYADA and the analysis was done using SPSS. Findings: The study revealed that both genders considered ‘To obtain a social status’, ‘To use innovative ideas’, ‘To become own boss’, and ‘Success of other entrepreneurs’ as the motivating factors. Further, males have also considered experiences and professional contacts whereas females have considered working independently and excelling with their self-confidence. The study also revealed that both genders insisted on Start-up capital, Self-confidence, Working capital, and Previous business experience, and Religious consciousness factors as the essential factors to run the businesses. Further, male entrepreneurs considered Training as one of the factors required to run the business whereas the female entrepreneurs considered the Right choice of location as a required factor. Research limitations/implications: It is recommended to address the gender differences of entrepreneurship in policies to support private-sector development in Oman and to design effective Entrepreneurship education programs for the future. It is required to follow up on the performance of the female-owned entrepreneurial start-ups so that their goals and objectives can be successfully fulfilled during their life cycle. It is also suggested that the training should be considered essential when designing strategies and policies stimulating entrepreneurial activity for both male and female entrepreneurs. Social implications: Through gender differences, the trends in marketing can be identified which will help to raise awareness for how to improve global marketing standards. Facilitating timely finance in the form of start-up capital, working capital is a must as the entrepreneurs in Oman consider financial assistance as a must to run the business. Previous business experience or educating them to gain experience in the line of their business interest will enable the entrepreneurs to become successful entrepreneurs. Originality/Value: There is no study on gender differences that have been carried out in Oman within entrepreneurial activities. This paper examines the gender difference prevailing amidst entrepreneurship in Oman. This research included only the successful entrepreneurs who were advanced under the Governmental Schemes through RIYADA/SANAD, Oman.

My choices are better than yours! Gender differences in narcissistic start-up entrepreneurs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simona Leonelli
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Start Up ◽  
First Results ◽  
Specialized Team ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
Italian Sample ◽  
Better Than

PurposeThe paper explores the role of narcissism on entrepreneurs' decisions in terms of organizational choices, discussing gender differences. The aim relies in the influence that entrepreneurs' personality, capabilities and cognitive orientation have in the creation and management of start-ups.Design/methodology/approachAnalyzing an Italian sample of 207 entrepreneurs and using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and generalized linear model methods, the hypotheses were tested to understand whether and how narcissism affects Research and development (R&D) expenditure, patent ownership and the presence of a specialized team in organizations led by women and men entrepreneurs.FindingsDifferences in the management and organizational choices of narcissistic women entrepreneurs compared to their men counterparts emerged. First, results show that women entrepreneurs are less narcissistic than men. Second, gender is shown to moderate the effect of narcissism on the choice of having a qualified team in a start-up. Third, narcissistic women entrepreneurs were found to engage less in risk-taking activities, such as R&D expenditure, and to patent their ideas more than their male counterparts.Originality/valueThe study expands the existing literature by applying a gendered lens to entrepreneurs' narcissism to investigate whether they behave and manage their start-ups differently.

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