Female entrepreneurship in emerging and developing countries: a systematic literature review

PurposeDespite the increase in female entrepreneurship literature, very few studies exist that systematize the extant literature, especially in emerging and developing countries. This article fills part of this gap; it maps, categorizes and groups the objectives, theoretical approaches and research methods on female entrepreneurship conducted in one or more of the 155 emerging and developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, using Scopus and Web of Science, over a 10-year timeframe (2010–2020). Out of 465 papers, 77 were selected for content analysis.FindingsMost articles focus on understanding women entrepreneurs' challenges, the factors affecting their entrepreneurial performance and encouraging entrepreneurship. Qualitative research was found to be the predominant approach, while mixed studies appeared less frequently.Practical implicationsThis paper sheds light on female entrepreneurship characteristics, including business competence, performance and entrepreneurial orientation. Further, it can help female entrepreneurs to recognize the most relevant aspects regarding performance, the essential driving factors and entrepreneurial motivations, among others.Originality/valueFirst, this paper groups the objectives and the theoretical and methodological approaches that guide female entrepreneurship research. Second, it identifies distinct gaps, grouped and explored using unpublished thematic categories. Finally, the authors propose an extensive future research agenda regarding female entrepreneurship in emerging and developing countries.

GENDER GAPS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EDUCATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF CLUSTERS OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

In European countries, the gender gap in entrepreneurship is persistently observed because females make up on average 30 percent of entrepreneurs. The aim of the paper is to investigate the impact of gender gaps in education at different levels (youth, higher education, adult learning and STEM education) on the gender gap in entrepreneurship, both in all analyzed European countries and in identified clusters of countries. The research is based on the cluster analysis and regression modelling of yearly panel data for 31 European countries for the period 2013–2018. Generally speaking, to the same extent, the gender gap in entrepreneurship can be explained by the gender gap in educational outcomes at different levels, mostly in early leavers and in STEM education. However, European countries are not monolithic in these aspects, as four clusters of countries are identified. Relationships between the gender gaps strongly depend on the country’s characteristics. In countries with a relatively lower level of female entrepreneurship and their education outcomes, the gender gap in entrepreneurship is affected the most significant in comparison to other clusters, by gender gaps in early leavers, higher education and STEM education. However, in clusters of countries with relatively moderate or high levels of female entrepreneurship and education outcomes, their relationships are rather limited.

The value of entrepreneurship by gender on regional behaviour

This paper examines how the value of entrepreneurship by gender is related to regional behaviour. Researchers have traditionally defined entrepreneurial organization as separate to gender and to economic growth. Using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) we complete a dataset of 50 countries using variables such as total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) and opportunity-driven entrepreneurial activity (OPP). The methodology used proposes an analysis of regional convergence, comparing the evolution over time of both the rate of entrepreneurial activity and the ratios of opportunity-driven and need-driven entrepreneurial activity, distinguishing by gender. On the other hand, a regression model is proposed that explains the greater presence of female entrepreneurship. The results show that entrepreneurship by gender is an important factor to define different cluster of countries according to how men and women entrepreneurs create new economic opportunities.

Differences and determinants of female entrepreneurship across selected EU countries: some empirical evidence for the period 2010–2018

There is a wide differentiation in the level of female entrepreneurship across European Union countries. The literature emphasises the importance of various intrinsic (i.e. education, experience, human capital, access to capital resources) and extrinsic (i.e. influencing the level of entrepreneurship) factors. The purpose of this article is to empirically analyse the relationship between the level of female self-employment and the economic and social determinants of female labour force participation for 19 EU member states. This article uses panel data techniques to empirically analyse the relationship between the female self-employment and the following: gross domestic product per capita, female unemployment rate, total fertility rate, crude marriage rate, people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by age, gender wage gap (median) for full-time employees, masculinization index. Simple statistical methods and Pearson correlation coefficient were used in this paper. An econometric model was created to verify the factors affecting the level of female self-employment. Statistical data collected by Eurostat and the OECD were used to conduct the analyses. Due to limited data availability, the study covers the years 2010–2018. Gretl and Excel were used to conduct the analysis.

Female Entrepreneurship: Basic Characteristics, Equality, Support

The publication examines the main aspects of female entrepreneurship in Bulgaria. Key issues on the entrepreneurial profile of women starting and running their own business, as well as gender equality in this field are explored. The strengths and the need for specific support for women who create and develop entrepreneurial activities are discussed. In total, 178 women entrepreneurs with different education and age have been surveyed. Their companies also differ in size and activity. Bulgarian women entrepreneurs are mainly with higher education – economic or technical. About half of their companies have been established before 2008, operating mainly in services and trade. According to the results of the study, women believe that they have equal chances with men for success in starting and developing a business. The support they prefer mainly includes providing access to financial resources, promoting successful examples of women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship training. Their most powerful weapons in business include: communication, intuition, adaptability.

Trapped in the Gaze of Others. Discourses of Shame among Female Entrepreneurs in Austria

This article explores female entrepreneurs’ picture of self in the gaze of others. It relies on the narratives of female business owners gained via semi-structured interviews and focus groups, compiled in the framework of an international research project (iFEMPOWER)1 in Austria. The study reveals that the imagined and perceived gaze of others has a significant power on how businesswomen define both their professional and personal self and how they evaluate their self-worth. The gaze of others becomes a signifier of shame (for not being enough or being too much). The results of this study contribute to a more complex understanding of female entrepreneurship, and with the interdisciplinary character it aims at shaping the contemporary discourse on the gendered entrepreneurial sector.