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The paper empirically examines how gender affects international market engagement through its effects on entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation in early-stage social service ventures across different countries. Empirical findings from generalized linear mixed models with SAS GLIMMIX procedures support the direct effect of gender on international market engagement and the indirect effect of gender on international market engagement through entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation in early-stage social service ventures. The study shows significant gender gaps in the international market engagement of early-stage social service ventures owned by male and female entrepreneurs. The gaps appear to be rooted in gender differences in experiential learning resulting from entrepreneurial exit experience and innovation. The paper calls on governments to build gender-aware ecosystems that engage female entrepreneurs in experiential learning and innovation, thereby empowering them to grow through active international market engagement in early-stage social service ventures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to use social capital theory to explain how impoverished women may find success and lift themselves out of poverty. The research addresses three unique, significant areas of study. First, by reviewing relevant theory and research on livelihood creation and social networks, a new lens for examining social capital in the context of poverty is provided. Second, a model is tested examining the role of an entrepreneur's social capital resources on the development of their own livelihood creation and the consequential changes in the entrepreneur's lifestyle. The research finds that weak social network ties are positively related to livelihood creation, with counter-intuitive results regarding lifestyle changes in response to the changes in livelihood creation. Third, the above model is applied to female entrepreneurs, utilizing a sample of women associated with SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association), a network broker and business incubator trade union working in impoverished communities in and around Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women represent the majority of the poor worldwide and entrepreneurship is widely argued to be critical for alleviating poverty conditions. However, research on this topic is dispersed and fragmented across various research domains and contexts. In this paper, we provide a broader perspective on the relationship between gender and poverty entrepreneurship. The purpose of this review is to acknowledge and critically discuss the variety of studies on gender and poverty entrepreneurship published over the last three decades. Using a systematic literature review process and an inductive categorization, we offer an overarching framework for organizing what we know about gendered entrepreneurial activity under poverty conditions including the relevant antecedents, mechanisms, outcomes and characteristics. In doing so, this article develops a roadmap of the current knowledge and provides suggestions to guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the effect of traditional practices and cultural norms on entrepreneurship and business success in Bangladesh. Using a constructive survey questionnaire, data was collected from 172 businesspersons. Factor analysis and regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. The findings highlight that traditional family structures, gender roles, social hierarchies and traditional business networks significantly influence entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. These factors can either enable or hinder entrepreneurial activities, access to resources and funding, and decision-making processes. The study also identifies challenges faced by entrepreneurs because of traditional practices and cultural norms, such as limited resources for female entrepreneurs and barriers to fair competition. Based on the findings, implications are drawn for policy development, programming within educational institutions and entrepreneurial practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how rural female entrepreneurs in Lebanon navigate challenges and opportunities amidst economic crises. It aims to understand how they leverage resources to overcome barriers and enhance their entrepreneurial potential, offering insights for fostering sustainable entrepreneurship in crisis-affected regions. This study employs Integrative Qualitative Methods, combining participatory action research (PAR) and narrative inquiry, to explore the motivations, experiences and aspirations of rural female entrepreneurs in Lebanon. Amidst severe economic crises, 28 female entrepreneurs participated in a three-year program supporting their businesses. The findings indicate that rural female entrepreneurs in Lebanon are primarily motivated by family sustainability, social effect and personal fulfillment. They demonstrate significant adaptability to market changes and are able to leverage support networks to manage resources effectively. Strategic resource allocation, communication and collaboration are key to their success. Overall, these findings highlight the resilience and strategic acumen of rural female entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support for economic growth and community development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of second generation gender bias or ‘implicit bias’ on women’s careers is receiving greater attention. Recent research has linked second generation gender bias to the entrepreneurial process — in particular, term sheet negotiations and female entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship researchers have not integrated the labor economics literature on the gender wage gap — a structural impediment that shapes the options that women have in terms of careers and entrepreneurship, including negotiation. This paper proposes an interdisciplinary analytical framework for understanding second generation gender bias female entrepreneurs encounter as a barrier to success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the significant contributions of women in economic development nationally, the unrecognized attitude of the government, lack of existing legal framework and policies, vagaries of informal economy and changes in the social-economic landscape have accounted largely for the closure of female enterprises in the informal economy. Using Yoruba female textile traders as a case study because these women have broken the "glass ceiling" and made a success of their textile trading, this paper examined the dynamics of entry and motivations of Yoruba women in textile trading. The paper synthesized Social Capital Theory by Coleman and Social Action Theory by Max Weber to explain the issue. It utilized a qualitative method of data collection. Eight focus group discussions and forty in-depth interviews were used to collect information from the women participants who were purposively chosen. The data reveal that parents, family/kinship members and friends had great influence in the strategic entry of women into textile trading in the Balogun market and the subsequent development of women's entrepreneurial activities. Yoruba female textile traders were motivated into textile trading because of economic and cultural values attached to the trade. This data is essential toward policy formulation for women's entrepreneurial development in the informal economy. This paper argues that any policies implemented for women entrepreneurs in the informal economy must be conceived, formulated and implemented with an in-depth understanding of the nuanced elements in the cultural domain within the social system, which the existing literature has yet to capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the motivations of eight female Afghan entrepreneurs to start up their own business and the problems they encountered during start-up and operations. Income generation was the most important push factor but pull factors including desire for independence and autonomy were also important. However, in contrast to studies in other countries, the desire for achievement was not emphasized. An unexpected finding was the emphasis on the desire to help non-family members by running a business. The main problems included financial problems during start-up and operations, lack of contacts and security during operations. Gender-specific problems included limited market, mobility constraints and negative attitudes and lack of social acceptance for female entrepreneurs. The paper concludes with a discussion of the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on women entrepreneurs in the informal economy no longer view them merely as a residue from some pre-modern mode of production that is disappearing. Instead, they are either read through a structuralist lens as marginalized populations engaged in low quality work conducted under poor conditions for low pay out of necessity in the absence of alternative means of livelihood, or through a neo-liberal lens as engaged in relatively higher quality endeavours more as a rational choice. The aim of this paper is to evaluate critically these contrasting explanations. To do this, the results of face-to-face interviews with 323 women entrepreneurs operating in the Indian informal economy are analyzed. The finding is that although the structuralist representation is largely appropriate for women engaged in informal waged work, it is not as valid for women informal entrepreneurs working on a self-employed basis where incomes are higher, they receive more credit from informal institutions, union membership is higher, and such work is more likely to be a rational choice. The outcome is a call to recognize the diversity of women's experiences in the informal sector and that not all informal entrepreneurship by women in developing nations is a low-paid, necessity-oriented endeavour carried out as a last resort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women entrepreneurship in the informal sector, such as street food vending, is important for poverty alleviation in West Africa. The street food sector provides employment for women and inexpensive and nutritious food for the urban poor. In this paper, we determine the importance of the cowpea street food sector, evaluate the determinants of successful enterprises and ascertain the impact of economic, cultural, religious and geographic differentials between enterprises in Niamey, Niger and Kumasi, Ghana. Data were collected through in-person interviews with 114 and 122 women street food entrepreneurs in both countries in 2009. Results revealed that women entrepreneurs engaged in the cowpea street food sector can earn incomes 4 times and 16 times higher than the minimum legal wage in Niamey and Kumasi, respectively. Incomes earned from these entrepreneurial activities contribute directly to health, education and needs of their families. OLS regression results indicate that lack of financial resources, stable business locations and religious beliefs are important entrepreneurial success factors. Cross-country comparisons revealed enterprises in Kumasi are larger and more successful than those in Niamey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indonesian government has been trying to encourage entrepreneurship development by supporting the development of small and medium enterprises in the country, since these enterprises provide an avenue for the testing and development of entrepreneurial ability. This paper examines the current developments of SMEs in the country. The paper comes with a number of interesting facts. First, SMEs are of overwhelming importance in Indonesia, as they account for more than 90 percent of all firms outside the agricultural sector, and thus are the biggest source of employment. Second, the representation of women entrepreneurs is low. Third, women entrepreneurs are less educated than their men counterparts. Fourth, the main constraints faced by small entrepreneurs are lack of working capital and marketing difficulties. Finally, the majority of existing studies suggest that the effectiveness of government programs to support SME development programs is low. The paper concludes that in national efforts to develop high competitive entrepreneurships, owners of small enterprises should be given the first priority as they have some previous experience of running a business or of how to survive in competitive markets, and the emphasis should be to promote modernization, capacity building and size upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, female entrepreneurs have been seen to contribute to the economic development of nations especially in developing countries. Until now the contribution of female entrepreneurs to economic development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been relegated to the background or ignored in development circles. Part of the reason is because female entrepreneurs mainly work in the informal economy and are necessity driven and marginalized. The main research question the study poses is 'what is the contribution of female entrepreneurs to socio-economic development in SSA?' This paper seeks to answer this by examining critically the contribution of female entrepreneurs from Ghana as a means to achieve economic development. The study employs a qualitative approach using multiple case study design. To examine female entrepreneurship, a 2014 survey involving face-to-face interviews of 60 female entrepreneurs from Accra in Ghana is analyzed. The key finding is that, although male entrepreneurs contribute significantly more to economic development than their female counterparts, there remains untapped potential for female entrepreneurs becoming key players for achieving economic development. This and other findings of the study have some implications for policy on female entrepreneurship. Therefore, there is a call to harness these potentials through policies that would promote female entrepreneurship on an equal wavelength as their male counterparts. This is the first known study of female entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic development in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines variables stated to be central to entrepreneurial success and reports differences between black male and black female entrepreneurs. Variables studied include task-specific efficacy, firm performance and opportunity recognition. Using a sample of 85 males and 58 females, results indicated that although black male and female entrepreneurs are somewhat similar in terms of business environment and demographics (e.g., education levels, years of business industry experience, likelihood of having a business mentor, etc.), black females trailed black male entrepreneurs in firm performance, task-specific efficacy and opportunity recognition. Overall, findings suggest an expressed need to enact specific-policies to increase success rates among this group of understudied entrepreneurs, black females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To capture the talents of the next generations in new venture creation and to maintain the levels of entrepreneurship in our society, a vibrant "pipeline" of potential entrepreneurs is required. Previous research has shown this pipeline may still be weak, especially for women entrepreneurs. This paper explores the relationships between gender, entrepreneurial education, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on entrepreneurial intentions and behaviors using the data from different sample groups in three different stages of education and career development: middle and high school students, MBA students, and early career adults. The results of our analyses underscore the importance of entrepreneurial self-efficacy as a key component in understanding entrepreneurship interest and actual career choice. The positive influence of entrepreneurship education on self-efficacy proved stronger for women than for men. Implications for entrepreneurship educators as well as study limitations and areas for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key support mechanism for early-stage entrepreneurs is business incubator programs, which provide tailored assistance and a conducive work environment for new business development. However, incubators are not created equal in terms of their effectiveness and reach. Extant research on business incubation is also largely gender-neutral. In addition, a scholarly gap exists when it comes to our understanding of the cognitive, behavioral and socio-cultural barriers to incubation and entrepreneurship. This research contributes to filling this gap by designing a pre-experiential behavioral intention model rooted in social psychology theories to explain the entrepreneur's intention to participate in incubation programs. A multidimensional construct of perception and its underlying dimensions (e.g., usefulness, ease of use and self-efficacy) is developed and tested. Studying 344 early-stage entrepreneurs, it is found that perceived utility and ease of use relate to the decision to join an incubation program. Furthermore, when female entrepreneurs are not convinced whether incubation programs are beneficial considering their use and access, they are less likely to join incubation. Our empirical results highlight the need for adopting behavioral interventions and inclusionary best practices to expand the effect of business incubation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female entrepreneurs have moved into all industry sectors in recent years; yet most start businesses in only a few of these sectors, such as education and healthcare. We argue this is, at least in part, because gender role stereotypes permeate self-concepts and behaviors very early in life. Therefore, when children engage in entrepreneurial activities (which we term 'childpreneurship'), they choose activities that match their gender role (much like adults), thereby reinforcing gender roles that later influence their adult entrepreneurial and occupational choices. We examine the mediating force of gendered childpreneur activities on the relationship between gender and adult entrepreneurial industry preference. We also examine the moderating effect of the quantity of childpreneur activities on the relationship between gender and entrepreneurial intention. A cross-sectional survey study of over 900 U.S. college students and working adults reveals that men and women report a stronger preference to start a business in gender-congruent industries. For men, engagement in male-typed childpreneur activities partially mediates this relationship. In general, the number of childpreneur activities is positively related to adult entrepreneurial intentions. More specifically, gender-neutral childpreneur activities are positively associated with women's adult entrepreneurial intentions. Our study expands knowledge of distal factors influencing entrepreneurial intention and industry preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing interest in researching female entrepreneurship, little is known about gender differences in pre-venture process and the variables that mediate the relationship between gender and entrepreneurial intentions. The purpose of this study is to provide a conceptual framework for understanding gender differences in entrepreneurial intentions. Using this framework, we explore gender effects on entrepreneurial intentions and identify factors that may account for the gender gap in entrepreneurial intentions in a sample of Bulgarian university students. Our results show that women have lower entrepreneurial intentions than men. The gender effect on entrepreneurial intentions is fully mediated by perceived behavioral control and partially mediated by perceived subjective norms and attitudes toward entrepreneurship. Policy measures designed to encourage female start-ups should be directed at attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and the link between entrepreneurial intentions and behavior among women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the demographic profile of "Tamil" women entrepreneurs in the North East of Sri Lanka who became entrepreneurs as a result of war. Five main areas of interest were examined, namely, (i) characteristics of these women; (ii) factors that spurred them into entrepreneurship; (iii) their challenges; (iv) their measures of success; and (v) their demographic profile. Findings indicate that a large percentage of these women were highly entrepreneurial who were motivated into business to achieve a higher standard of living, be self-reliant and support their families. Most of these women were married with children and, and because many had lost their husbands to the war, saw business as a means to an end. A large majority of these women were in business for the first time and rated their businesses as successful ventures. Their measures of success were self-fulfillment and a balance between family and work. The findings of this research are important because the women entrepreneurs of the North East are seen as a powerful driving force for the economic development of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By exploring the resilience skills of African-American, Hispanic and female entrepreneurs, this study examines entrepreneurs who face great obstacles, but still start more businesses than their White counterparts (Fairlie and Robb, 2009). The experiences of minorities and women lead to the development of risk and protective factors that result in differences in resilience. Here we present a model of resilience informed by the psychology and educational literatures which illustrates how particular experiences of minorities and women enable them to develop higher levels of resilience. In this model, the adaptive cultures of women and minorities equip them to overcome the adversity which arises from their social stratification as marginalized groups. We then test this model using a nationally representative, stratified random sample of 340 Black, Hispanic and White male and female entrepreneurs. The empirical results from two-way ANOVAs, Kruskal-Wallis H tests and multiple regression analysis indicate that Blacks and Hispanics had higher social resilience than White entrepreneurs, and that women had greater self and social resilience than male entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an exploratory multi-case study of female, necessity micro-entrepreneurs in developing contexts to partially validate an existing theoretical model and identify relevant omitted variables. Using a sample of eight female, necessity entrepreneurs in Tijuana (Mexico), we were able to challenge the established pull-push binary framework in entrepreneurship as well as the linear entrepreneurial process. Our analysis suggests that motivations, family embeddedness and gender identity are critical factors impacting the female micro-venture creation process in developing contexts. We summarize our theoretical findings in a new process model that accounts for macro, meso and micro factors, offering contributions to the scholarship on female entrepreneurship in developing contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External enablers (EEs) are exogenous, macro-environmental forces that influence the rate, extent and substance of entrepreneurial activity. A steadily increasing body of empirical research has sought to identify, describe and predict the aggregate impact of EEs, yet few studies have assessed whether EEs exert similar or dissimilar effects across societal groups, and none to date have sought to ascertain whether EEs function in a gender-neutral fashion. The issue is important to address because it is common for governments to implement policies designed to leverage or mitigate the influence of EEs. Absent knowledge regarding the differential effects of EEs, policies may be enacted with an aggregate intent, but which may routinely disadvantage female entrepreneurs. To address this concern, we investigate the impact of a prominent EE (internet access) on entrepreneurial activity, employing a longitudinal design, consisting of 61 countries from 2004 to 2013. Our results suggest that increased internet access is, in the aggregate, associated with heightened entrepreneurial activity, but the favorable effect for male entrepreneurs is markedly greater than that for female entrepreneurs. The findings reveal that gender-based disaggregation is critical in assessing the influence of EEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although traditional cultural norms have tended to impede Saudi women’s engagement in entrepreneurship, there are successful female business owners in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government, seeing female entrepreneurship as a way to strengthen both the family unit and the economy, has recently created programs to encourage more women to become business owners. However, few women have taken advantage of these programs to date. This study aimed to identify factors that enable female business owners to realize their entrepreneurial potential. Nine business-owning women were interviewed for this phenomenological study. Drawing on Kreuger and Brazeal’s Model of Entrepreneurial Potential (MEP), the study investigated Saudi female entrepreneurs’ perceived self-efficacy, perceived desirability, perceived feasibility and propensity to act on entrepreneurial opportunities. Currently, limited empirical research exists on women’s entrepreneurial activity in Saudi Arabia. This study sought to fill that gap. Results from this study revealed unique strategic approaches and business success factors from the perspective of Saudi women, including their ability to work within or around cultural norms and rules to operate their businesses. The study suggests ways in which Saudi society can support women in realizing their entrepreneurial potential and also makes policy recommendations for government and business support entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the constraints on women entrepreneurs running SMEs in conflict zones. The research is carried out in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), a conflict affected province in Pakistan close to the border of Afghanistan. The findings reveal that women in the region are in a complex family situation exacerbated by terrorism, which has created stress, depression and fear of failure. Better understanding of their circumstances may aid those seeking to help such businesses in Pakistan and other regions beset by conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study assesses the perceptions of female entrepreneurs in Tanzania regarding the access to bank loans and the difficulties experienced in the process of financing their businesses. Focusing on small-scale businesses, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 75 female entrepreneurs from the Dar es Salaam area. Resorting to double-hurdle estimation models, we conclude that: 1) women who perceive higher discrimination and/or inequality in accessing bank loans, but who also recognize that female entrepreneurs often lack relevant business skills, tend to apply more often for bank loans; 2) women running larger business, operating in the tailoring industry, face fewer difficulties; 3) although highly educated female entrepreneurs apply less for bank loans, formal education acts as a shield to the difficulties faced by women when applying to bank loans; 4) more autonomous and money seeking female entrepreneurs are less likely to report difficulties during the bank loan application process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women increasingly start and lead growth ventures yet receive a small proportion of external equity funding. Term sheet negotiation is a pivotal moment for obtaining growth capital. We employ a multi-method, mixed mode research design to explore strategies of women entrepreneurs who have negotiated term sheets and discuss our quantitative findings. Results indicate that women entrepreneurs in our sample worked hard to achieve optimal outcomes yet come up short because of exogenous and endogenous factors linked to second generation gender bias in the negotiation process. Propositions for future research are generated given the results of this exploratory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the influence of the dimensions of social networks on the growth aspirations of female entrepreneurs. Using multi stage stratified random sampling, 540 women were surveyed in the five geographic regions of Uganda. Drawing on social network theory, point bi-serial correlation and logistic regression analysis were carried out to test our hypotheses. Although we find a relationship between belonging to a social network and growth, we also find that the relationship between the other indicators of social networks, including social support, discussion of business ideas, equality of network members and growth, are not statistically significant. We propose this may be because the challenges that face female entrepreneurs in this context negate the influence of social networks on growth. On the other hand, we posit that the metrics used to measure entrepreneurship related constructs are biased not only against women but even the developing country context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how entrepreneurial relationship variables such as trust, conflict, interpersonal justice (IJ) and satisfaction differ among a group of male and female franchisees. Results suggest differences exist between these two groups in relation to conflict, IJ and trust with their franchisor. These results are consistent with research on feminine gender roles and research that suggests female entrepreneurs are more relationship oriented throughout the entrepreneurial process. The results further make a case for the importance of empirically examining different entrepreneurial relationship variables in future research on gender and entrepreneurship, and illustrate the power of the franchising business model in breaking down potential barriers of gender discrimination for female entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of female entrepreneurs is growing around the globe. The rate of women's entrepreneurship in Africa is higher than in any other region of the world but no studies have focused on North Sudan. We investigate female entrepreneurs in North Sudan by addressing these questions: (1) What are the major challenges North Sudanese female entrepreneurs face in (a) venture startup, and (b) running their businesses, (2) What are the main support sources enabling North Sudanese female entrepreneurs' (a) venture startup, and (b) successful management of their new ventures?, and (3) Is there family involvement in the North Sudanese female entrepreneurs' businesses; and if so, how? Personal issues, management skills, and obtaining financing are challenges while sources of support include schooling and previous work experience, moral support, and institutional support. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the effect of rurality on early-stage necessity and opportunity entrepreneurship among women and men in America from three rural typology perspectives. To achieve this objective, we build a dataset that combines GEM U.S. individual data for 2005-2010 and county economic characteristics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau. We use three typologies to define rurality and compare the results, the OMB metro-nonmetro classification system (2003), Isserman (2005) and county population density. We further analyze this data in subsamples by gender using cross-section time-series rare events logistic regression with clustered robust errors and year fixed effects. Key findings indicate the three rural typologies show similar results in magnitude, direction and significance, although population density shows sensitivity to the rurality variable and subsamples. Also, compared to women in OMB metro counties in America, women who live in OMB nonmetro counties have a higher probability of engaging in opportunity entrepreneurship. This probability increases with college education and decreases if the woman lives alone or is retired. Among men, living in OMB nonmetro or Isserman rural counties also increases their probability of engaging in opportunity entrepreneurship. College education and being African American also increases this probability. Predictors of necessity entrepreneurship are having an income below 50,000 among women and being employed part time among men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the current study is to investigate personal and external factors that might influence women's decisions to become entrepreneurs in Kuwait. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire containing selected variables of women's personal and external factors was distributed to a sample of Kuwaiti women who are mainly studying or have completed their studies at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training. The participants in the questionnaire survey were asked to express the level of agreement they assign to various variables that might affect their decisions to become entrepreneurs. Although the result of the analysis of the participants' answers revealed that they attach a certain level of agreement to the external factors effect on their decisions to become entrepreneurs, they attached higher level of agreement to personal factors. The Kuwaiti women who participated in the survey believe that getting involved in developing a self-business will enhance their social position and assist them in making independent decisions. Their interests and hobbies together with availability of business ideas would encourage Kuwaiti women to develop their own businesses. Their involvements in developing self-businesses are motivated by profit, given that they can secure the start-up capital. Finally, the participants revealed that religious bindings, together with family responsibilities, influence their decisions to become entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to financial resources remains an important aspect of new venture start-up and growth strategies. While women still obtain a small amount of total private equity investment, they are increasingly involved in developing high growth ventures which may be attractive investment opportunities for venture capitalists and business angels. Contract, or term sheet, negotiation is an important stage of the investment process. Although gender-related differences in negotiation styles are well documented in other fields, they have not been examined in entrepreneurship. This research utilizes a mixed method study of gender and negotiation strategies employed during the private equity investment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the relationship between gender and entrepreneurship have shown that men are significantly more likely to start a new business than women. Because an individual's entrepreneurial intentions are shaped by the perceived feasibility and desirability of an entrepreneurial opportunity, these results have generally emphasized how men perceive themselves as more capable of pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities than women. In this study, men have a higher level of self-efficacy than do women regarding entrepreneurial abilities. At the same time, the higher levels of involvement in business planning processes caused women to have a higher sense of ownership in the plan than did men. This sense of ownership is positively and significantly related to the perceived likelihood of success of the new venture. The findings of this study suggest women adopt certain roles and affects in the development of entrepreneurial opportunities that provide alternative explanations to the beliefs-attitudes-intentions-behavior model of intentionality. The roles and affects women adopt during new venture planning may give them superior insights into the likelihood of success of the new venture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of women in Japan was traditionally restricted to housekeeping and childrearing. Over the years, changes in Japanese lifestyle and attitudes have created new grounds for women to venture into small businesses. Although this new personality aspect of women has been accepted, by and large, in larger cities of Japan, it is yet to be accepted in rural areas. Given this background, it becomes even more challenging for a foreigner — an immigrant woman entrepreneur — to set up shop and conduct business in Japan. This study looks at the status of female immigrant entrepreneurs in Japan. Through a qualitative study, it explores the experiences and challenges female entrepreneurs must face before they achieve stability in their businesses. It highlights and draws attention to areas where changes in governance structure and social acceptance can be made so a more positive environment can be built up and the relationship between Japan and the immigrant entrepreneurs can be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences between male and female entrepreneurs provide compelling reasons to study the latter separately. Especially in rural areas, research shows that women are a remarkable and unexplored source of the labor force. Nevertheless, few researchers have examined rural women and the issues pertaining to their entrepreneurship separately. The contribution of this study to the debate of women entrepreneurship is the closer examination of women in Greek rural areas. This research aims to examine factors that must be considered independently with recognition to the variances of rural areas with different geomorphologic and economic profiles. The characteristics of women entrepreneurship in Greek rural areas and the women's motives for the undertaking of the entrepreneurial activity are used to identify a typology of women entrepreneurs in the Greek countryside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) is often included in entrepreneurial intentions models to explain why some individuals are more likely than others to become entrepreneurs. An unsettled question among researchers is whether ESE differs between men and women. While early studies seem to suggest that men have higher ESE than women, more recent studies are inconclusive. Lacking empirical support for gender differences in ESE compels researchers to look for other factors to explain variation in entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The present study confirms two recent studies by finding no significant difference in ESE between men and women in a representative sample of MBA students. This finding leads to an investigation of gender-role orientation as a possible determinant of differences in entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Results indicate that the relationship between gender-role orientation and entrepreneurial self-efficacy is complex and multifaceted. Early in the venture creation process, the searching and planning tasks demand creativity and innovation where a strong mix of masculine and feminine traits (androgyny) improves performance. Later in the venture creation process, an individual (male or female) with a strong masculine orientation seems better suited for undertaking entrepreneurial tasks associated with persuading and leading others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While a market orientation is associated with superior performance (Narver and Slater, 1990; Kara et al., 2005), it may not be the only approach for small manufacturers (Noble et al., 2002). Our study examines whether two other orientations — production and marketing — influence the survival rate for small manufacturers wanting to supply the mass merchandising marketplace. We also investigate the impact of gender-related preferences on the continued existence of these firms. The sample for this study consisted of 1,690 small, independently-owned manufacturers who participated in an evaluation program in order to become a supplier for a major mass merchandiser. Results showed that surviving firm owners placed more emphasis on production than marketing activities, while non-surviving firm owners did the opposite. When gender was considered, male-owners showed similar preferences as the general sample, but the reverse was true for female entrepreneurs. We conclude that an exclusive focus on a market orientation may be counterproductive to a firm's long-term success. For small manufacturers in the mass merchandising industry, both a production and marketing orientation are needed to survive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurship has become a defining business trend in many countries throughout the world. The ranks of entrepreneurs contain a sizable contingent of women. As a result, research into the pathways of entrepreneurship as a general phenomenon as well as a career option for women has flourished in recent years. However, very little of this research has focused on women entrepreneurs in Arab countries, particularly those around the Gulf of Arabia, where private enterprise is viewed as a way for these nations to reduce their reliance on oil and their dependence on expatriate (foreign) workers. This study of the business start-up experiences of ten Arab women from Bahrain and Oman can serve as a starting point for such research. Although based on a non-representative sample, it suggests that the experiences of the Arab women entrepreneurs studied generally parallel those of their counterparts from other parts of the world with a few distinct differences. These differences relate to securing start-up capital and other resources, networking, and work/family balance. Infused with Arab and Islamic values, the unique cultural milieu played a major role in shaping the entrepreneurial experiences of the Bahraini and Omani business owners studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing number of women who are starting businesses, distinct hurdles exist for them. For instance, there is a lower occurrence of females as business owners and a paucity of academic research on the topic of female entrepreneurs. Another major hurdle is the presence of "derogatory myths" like those specified in the U.S. Diana Project. A random sample of nascent entrepreneurs in Canada is utilized to examine these myths about women entrepreneurs. Although many of the myths were unsubstantiated, the findings show that perhaps women do not have the right educational background to start large businesses and they may be starting businesses unattractive to venture capitalists. These findings are a clear wake-up call for the implementation of new programs and policies to increase the number of females studying computer and engineering sciences and to encourage and nurture a higher incidence of females as lead entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the possible constraints faced by women small business owners in the U.S. Negative access to full range of debt and equity alternatives; Increase level of risk aversion; Socialization constraint.

Examines the factors affecting the growth of women-run firms in India. Integration of gender-related factors into generalized stages of growth models; Recognition on the significant role of the firm owned by the family; Educational and social background.

Examines the status of women-owned businesses in Moscow, Russia. Advantages of home-based businesses to female entrepreneurs; Prevalence of unemployment and increase in economic discrimination against Russian women; Development of entrepreneurial education programs for Russian women; Public organizations promoting women entrepreneurship.