Brownhilder Ngek Neneh and Dianne H.B. Welsh
Female entrepreneurs play an increasingly recognised role in countries' overall well-being by contributing to job creation, wealth, family income and innovation. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Female entrepreneurs play an increasingly recognised role in countries' overall well-being by contributing to job creation, wealth, family income and innovation. This study identifies combinations of family support that enhance business performance most effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), drawing on 184 technology business owners to identify the family support configurations most conducive to high business performance.
Findings
The results suggest that high levels of emotional and instrumental support are necessary for female technology entrepreneurs to achieve a high firm performance (FP) level when instrumental support at home (ISH) is lacking. As a comparison, male technology entrepreneurs can still achieve a high level of FP when emotional and instrumental support for the business (ISB) is low.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the body of knowledge on women's entrepreneurship in emerging economies, technology entrepreneurs in South Africa and family and business support systems. The authors add to the emerging literature on the potential downsides of family embeddedness by tying theory to the findings on how family embeddedness-related obligations arise when individuals depend on their family's financial support and how this reliance impedes the formation of entrepreneurial intentions.
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Salime Mehtap, Massimiliano M. Pellegrini, Andrea Caputo and Dianne H.B. Welsh
Female entrepreneurship is a growing segment in the context of developing countries and has the potential to become a driving force for economic development. However, research…
Abstract
Purpose
Female entrepreneurship is a growing segment in the context of developing countries and has the potential to become a driving force for economic development. However, research suggests that females are less inclined toward entrepreneurship when compared to their male counterparts. This fact is related to a complex mix of causes such as the belief that entrepreneurship is a male domain, certain conditions within the economic and social environment and a general lack of confidence with regards to succeeding in such activities. Barriers to female entrepreneurship are prevalent in the patriarchal Arab world. The purpose of this paper is to measure the perceptions of female Jordanian business students with regards to the socio-cultural barriers to entrepreneurship. It also looks at the conduciveness of the education they are receiving in terms of new venture creation.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 254 female business students from two universities in Jordan was asked to evaluate various factors within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including the business education they are currently receiving. A factor analysis has been performed to show which relevant elements may prevent young women from engaging with entrepreneurial activities. A comparison of perceptions about the educational system has also been presented to understand how a supportive educational environment may affect the previous analysis.
Findings
The results indicated that a strong supportive education system to some extent may reduce the perception of potential barriers for entrepreneurship but the overall impact can be limited. Conversely, an educational system lacking a supportive environment and concrete initiatives can deeply affect and worsen the fears of engaging in entrepreneurship amongst female students.
Originality/value
The role of women in the Arab world is quite marked and the reluctance of women to take a more decisive engagement in entrepreneurship may be reinforced by conservative, societal traditions. A supportive education system has the potential to act as a catalyst to encourage active female participation in the entrepreneurial domain, thus helping to spur economic development in the region.
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Dianne H.B. Welsh, Steven M. Sommer and Nancy Birch
Reports the results of a field experiment using a contingent rewardsystem to improve sales performance of Russian retail workers. Theresults clearly demonstrated the ability to…
Abstract
Reports the results of a field experiment using a contingent reward system to improve sales performance of Russian retail workers. The results clearly demonstrated the ability to use this technique successfully in organizations undergoing transformational change. Whilst preintervention differences were found in perceived job enrichment and manager behaviour, regression analyses demonstrated that the intervention had an effect beyond these situational factors. Discusses these additional findings which concern the importance of supportive leadership and feedback. Contradicts earlier claims that management theories are culturally limited, and extends the application potential of an already well‐established intervention technique.
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Dianne H.B. Welsh, Eugene Kaciak, Esra Memili and Caroline Minialai
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between women entrepreneurs’ firm performance and two dimensions (enrichment and interference) of the business-family…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between women entrepreneurs’ firm performance and two dimensions (enrichment and interference) of the business-family interface (BFI) in the moderating context of the level of economic development in two emerging countries – Morocco and Turkey. The enrichment perspective was operationalized as family instrumental (financial) and affective (moral) support, while interference was operationalized as gender-related personal problems.
Design/methodology/approach
The study drew upon the work-family interface (WFI) theory from the family embeddedness perspective in the context of institutional economics. In Morocco, a purposive sample of 116 women entrepreneurs completed a self-administered questionnaire using field collection, mail, and phone surveying methods. In Turkey, 147 women entrepreneurs completed the questionnaire online and through personal contacts in business organizations.
Findings
The findings indicated a positive relationship of family financial support with business performance of female entrepreneurs in Morocco, a less economically advanced country. However, family moral support is related to better firm performance in Turkey, a more advanced economy. Gender-related personal problems of women entrepreneurs appear to hamper their business performance in Turkey; while in Morocco, the performance of women entrepreneurs seems to improve in the face of such impediments.
Practical implications
The results provide initial evidence that female entrepreneurs benefit from the linkages of family-to-business enrichment in different ways, depending on the country’s level of economic development. In less economically developed countries, women entrepreneurs benefit more from instrumental rather than affective components of the enrichment dimension of the BFI. Conversely, in more economically advanced countries, female entrepreneurs benefit more from affective rather than the instrumental elements of this dimension. Likewise, the components of the interference dimension of the BFI affect female entrepreneurs differently depending on the economic development of the countries. Women in the less-developed country of Morocco are less impeded by their personal problems compared to their counterparts in Turkey, a more developed economy. Actually, Moroccan women entrepreneurs improved their business performance when facing obstacles, most likely due to their increased inner strength and resilience acquired when battling adversarial institutional conditions.
Originality/value
The present study makes three unique contributions to the entrepreneurship literature. First, the study links the two BFI dimensions (enrichment and interference) to firm performance with an exclusive focus on female business owners. Second, within the construct of enrichment, the study employs both family instrumental and emotional support. Third, the study shows that the country’s level of economic development moderates the relationships between the BFI dimensions and firm performance.
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Judith A. Johnson and Dianne H.B. Welsh
Non‐financial rewards are often under‐utilised as motivators. Case study illustrates the links between culture and reward systems and shows that the introduction of non‐financial…
Abstract
Non‐financial rewards are often under‐utilised as motivators. Case study illustrates the links between culture and reward systems and shows that the introduction of non‐financial rewards, with appropriate training for supervisors can have a significant effect on performance. Considers the nature of financial and non‐financial rewards. Reports on a study based in a US manufacturing facility. Concludes that training has a major role to play in enabling supervisors to better manage their work teams through positive reinforcement.
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Victor Silva Corrêa, Rosileine Mendonça de Lima, Fernanda Regina da Silva Brito, Marcio Cardoso Machado and Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif
Women entrepreneurs face several challenges in creating and running ventures, especially in emerging and developing countries. In this sense, by aiming to generate inputs capable…
Abstract
Purpose
Women entrepreneurs face several challenges in creating and running ventures, especially in emerging and developing countries. In this sense, by aiming to generate inputs capable of helping overcome them, this study aims to categorize the policy, managerial and practical implications of articles whose empirical research was in one or more of the 155 emerging and developing countries. Further, although scholars have addressed female entrepreneurship in developed economies, there is scant literature in the context explored here. This article provides suggestions for new studies, helping academics fill gaps in the literature.
Design/methodology/approach
This article adopts a systematic literature review approach, performing content analysis and bibliometric description for the sample. The study comprises 77 articles selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases.
Findings
Research concentrates on Asian countries, with lower incidences in Latin America and Africa. The policy implications focus mainly on the executive rather than legislative spheres. The practical implications focus mainly on entrepreneurial development agencies and women entrepreneurs. Among the suggestions for novel studies, those focusing on methodological choices and female enterprises stand out.
Practical implications
This paper maps and categorizes the policy, managerial and practical implications, helping to raise governments’, policymakers’ and practitioners’ awareness of the preferred strategies to overcome the challenges of female entrepreneurship.
Originality/value
This paper emphasizes reflections of mutual interest to researchers, policymakers and practitioners, filling gaps in studies that prioritize an academic audience. Regarding the academic audience, this paper contributes to innovatively categorizing suggestions for future research and building an extensive research agenda capable of guiding research in this area.
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Amir Emami, Mark D. Packard and Dianne H.B. Welsh
The purpose of this article is to extend effectuation theory at the front end by building cognitive foundations for the effectual design process.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to extend effectuation theory at the front end by building cognitive foundations for the effectual design process.
Design/methodology/approach
We adopt an integrative conceptual approach drawing on design cognition theory to explain entrepreneurial cognition.
Findings
We find a significant gap in the entrepreneurial cognition literature with respect to effectuation processes. We thus integrate the Situated Function–Behavior–Structure framework from design theory to elaborate on the cognitive processes of effectuation, specifically with regard to the opportunity development process. This framework describes the cognitive subprocesses by which entrepreneurs means and ends are cyclically (re)formulated over time until a viable “opportunity” emerges, and the venture is formalized, or else, the entrepreneur abandons the venture and exits.”
Practical implications
Unravelling this entrepreneurial design process may facilitate more appropriate and effective design work by entrepreneurs, leading to more successful product designs. It also should facilitate the development of better design techniques and instruction.
Originality/value
This research contributes to new cognitive foundations for effectuation theory and entrepreneurial process research. It better explains how means are transformed into valuable goods over time through an iterative reconsideration of means-ends frameworks. This theoretical elaboration will expectedly facilitate additional research into the iterative cognitive processes of design and enable more formulaic design thinking.
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The role of women entrepreneurs in family businesses is becoming increasingly important, a fact that is reflected in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The role of women entrepreneurs in family businesses is becoming increasingly important, a fact that is reflected in the scientific literature. The purpose of this study is to identify the key research areas that address this issue. To this end, a bibliometric analysis has been carried out to obtain a perspective of the current situation in this field of research and to identify the key areas of research in recent years.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the analysis is performed using a literature review and bibliometric analysis techniques. The bibliographic source supporting this analysis resulted from a Scopus search of the terms gender, entrepreneurship and family business. VOSviewer was used to facilitate the analysis.
Findings
This bibliometric analysis studies the evolutionary trend of publications on gender, entrepreneurship and family business and identifies current research trends. It also identifies authors, journals and countries with the highest impact levels to enhance collaboration and learning.
Research limitations/implications
It would be advisable to conduct further research with a broader bibliographic base and with other search criteria covering other aspects related to the role of women entrepreneurs in family businesses. This work can serve as a valuable source of information for future research in this field and to assist in the development of effective equality policies to address existing social stereotypes.
Originality/value
This research illustrates, using VOSviewer, the current growth of studies in the field of women entrepreneurship in family businesses.
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Norris Krueger, David J. Hansen, Theresa Michl and Dianne H.B. Welsh
If we are to better understand what it means to think “sustainably,” the entrepreneurship literature suggests that entrepreneurial cognition offers us two powerful tools. Human…
Abstract
If we are to better understand what it means to think “sustainably,” the entrepreneurship literature suggests that entrepreneurial cognition offers us two powerful tools. Human cognition operates with two nearly parallel systems for information processing, intentional and automatic. Entrepreneurial cognition has long focused on how entrepreneurial thinking and action are inherently intentional. Thus, intentions-based approaches are needed to understand how to encourage the identification of actionable sustainable opportunities. But first, however, we need to address key elements of our automatic processing, anchored on deep assumptions and beliefs. In short, if sustainable entrepreneurship is about addressing sustainable opportunities, then before we can take advantage of research into entrepreneurial intentions, we need a better understanding of how we enact our deep mental models of constructs such as “sustainable.”
Dianne H.B. Welsh, Orlando Llanos-Contreras and Melany Rebeca Hebles
This article explains the causal mechanism supporting sustainable longevity by analysing the last three generations of one of the oldest family firms in Latin America.
Abstract
Purpose
This article explains the causal mechanism supporting sustainable longevity by analysing the last three generations of one of the oldest family firms in Latin America.
Design/methodology/approach
An explanatory single-case qualitative research based on critical realism explores why and how this family firm has been able to maintain its multigenerational longevity.
Findings
Los Lingues's evolutionary strategy, driven by transgenerational entrepreneurship under effectuation, has supported this family firm's sustainable longevity. Its effectual logic emerged mainly from the richness of the firm's historical resources embedded in its identity, knowledge and social capital and priority to preserve socioemotional wealth.
Originality/value
This study integrates socioemotional wealth and effectuation theory to explain a family firm's ability to survive through generations and sustain longevity. The study demonstrates the relevance of effectual logic in the entrepreneurial dynamics of a multigenerational family firm. Effectual logic drives the firm evolution and adaptation for sustainable longevity.