Women Entrepreneurship

By FD Wuriee

To examine the impact of gender on management in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as explore the role of women in entrepreneurship. This study is significant because in today's post-modern era, women are already playing increasing roles in economic development and business management. In order to address the objectives of this research, a descriptive research through the use of secondary data analysis was carried out. Findings from this study revealed that gender has considerable but lesser impact on SME management and that gender diversity in ownership structure positively affects SME performance and innovativeness. Also, findings suggest that women entrepreneurship is emerging but may be constrained by gender being a cultural issue in addition to being limited by certain challenges being faced by female entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, this study concludes that in the contemporary era, women have started to play important roles in entrepreneurship and in owning and/or managing small and medium sized enterprises but there is still a long journey towards promoting and supporting women entrepreneurs across the globe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: FD Wuriee
• Release date: Oct 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201449957

FD Wuriee

FD Wuriee is a highly skilled consultant with expertise in leadership, strategic management, change management, and entrepreneurship. He pursued his MBA at the University of East London's Business and Law School and completed Applied Management Research at the London Metropolitan Business School. Additionally, he obtained a certificate in Screenwriting from Birkbeck, University of London and completed courses in Producing and Directing from Raindance and London Film Academy. To further enhance his skills, he attended Story and Genre Masterclasses from Robert McKee, Directing Masterclasses from Academy Award-winning Director Ron Howard and Filmmaking Masterclasses from Academy Award winners Spike Lee and Werner Herzog. FD Wuriee is an entrepreneurial professional who has extensive experience in developing and implementing change management strategies, cultivating strong client and partner relationships, and assessing business practices and goals to enhance direction and identify growth opportunities. Areas of Specialisation: Leadership, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Business Research, Action Research, Entrepreneurship and Creative Industries  

Book preview

Abstract

This research aims to examine the impact of gender on management in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as explore the role of women in entrepreneurship. This study is significant because in today’s post-modern era, women are already playing increasing roles in economic development and business management. In order to address the objectives of this research, a descriptive research through the use of secondary data analysis was carried out. Findings from this study revealed that gender has considerable but lesser impact on SME management and that gender diversity in ownership structure positively affects SME performance and innovativeness. Also, findings suggest that women entrepreneurship is emerging but may be constrained by gender being a cultural issue in addition to being limited by certain challenges being faced by female entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, this study concludes that in the contemporary era, women have started to play important roles in entrepreneurship and in owning and/or managing small and medium sized enterprises but there is still a long journey towards promoting and supporting women entrepreneurs across the globe.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction   8

1.1 Background of the Study   8

1.2 Research Aim and Questions  10

1.3 Scope of the Study    11

Chapter 2 Literature Review  12

2.1 Theoretical Underpinnings     12 

2.2 Women Entrepreneurship   14 

2.2.1 Gender Inequality in Different

Countries      18 

2.2.2 Equal Contribution of Men

and Women       20 

2.3 Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs          22 

2.4 How Women Entrepreneurs Contribute

to the Economy     27

2.5 The Entrepreneur Women and

The Environment     30

2.6 Women Entrepreneur Innovation 

and the Market Place     37

Chapter 3 Methodology    41 3.1 Research Design        41

3.2 Research Approach    43 

3.3 Data Collection Method  45 

3.4 Secondary Data Analysis    48 

Chapter 4 Findings and Analysis    

4.1 Findings     49

4.2 Discussion     54

Chapter 5. Conclusion and Recommendations        66

5.1 Conclusions      66 5.2 Recommendations        69 5.2.1 Advancing Gender Diversity

and Women Empowerment  70 5.2.2 Support the Growth Of Women-

Owned SMEs  71  5.2.3 Promote Women Entrepreneurship Awareness and Education       72

References       74

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1  Background of the Study

In today’s globalized era, the role of women in different business functions have already evolved from being a sideline to becoming empowered as leaders. As such, the rise of women entrepreneurs has gained a lot of interest in the research and academic discipline. From the traditional point of view, the impact of gender differences in the business and entrepreneurship fields became a frontier to the glass ceiling in the management discipline (Adams and Funk, 2011). Yet, as the world entered the era of globalization and modernization, the role of women has also changed wherein they have become more involved in various political, economic and social activities. For example, women in different parts of the world are now actively participating as owners of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) thereby contributing to the rise of the female entrepreneurship phenomenon (Gomes, et al, 2014). This suggests that women today are already playing important roles in entrepreneurship and management.

Despite the increasing role and participation of women in entrepreneurial activities, they are still facing a number of gender-related challenges. As highlighted by Chinomona and Mazirir (2015), women are playing increasing roles in starting up and managing their own businesses but they are still facing certain challenges such as lack of financial access and