Journal of Entrepreneurship Research

Journal of Entrepreneurship Research

Exploring the Factors Affecting Entrepreneurial Opportunity Recognition: A Study of Gender Constraints Among Women Entrepreneurs

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
kambiz Talebi 1
fariba achak 2
1 Department of New Business , Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran.
2 Department of New Business , Faculty of Entrepreneurship, Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish Island, Iran
10.22034/jer.2025.2037813.1174
Abstract
Introduction: Women entrepreneurs are vital agents of economic growth and entrepreneurial development worldwide. Despite their critical role in achieving sustainable development goals, they encounter pervasive and multifaceted barriers. Gender-based discrimination and stereotypical beliefs significantly impede women's entrepreneurial motivation and capacity. This study aims to identify and analyze the key constraints affecting women entrepreneurs' ability to recognize and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, ultimately seeking to provide a framework that can enhance women's economic participation and address female unemployment.
Methodology: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative phases for a comprehensive analysis. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 purposefully selected experts, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding, yielding 51 indicators organized into 12 core components. For the quantitative phase, a simple random sample of 170 respondents was drawn from a population of 425 women entrepreneurs working within pharmaceutical companies, using Cochran's formula. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS23 and Smart PLS3 software.
Findings: The qualitative analysis identified eight primary categories of gender-related constraints affecting entrepreneurial opportunity recognition: social, cultural, economic, educational, legal, behavioral, personality, and individual limitations. The quantitative results confirmed these findings, revealing significant negative impacts of all eight constraint categories on women's entrepreneurial opportunities. The strongest effects were observed for social limitations (β = -0.578), followed by cultural limitations (β = -0.429), economic limitations (β = -0.408), educational limitations (β = -0.346), legal limitations (β = -0.297), behavioral limitations (β = -0.215), personality limitations (β = -0.189), and individual limitations (β = -0.138).
Conclusion/Outcomes: This research makes a significant contribution by providing a comprehensive, empirically-grounded model of the multidimensional constraints facing women entrepreneurs. The findings underscore that despite women's acknowledged potential in sustainable development, they continue to encounter systemic barriers that complicate their full participation in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires a nuanced understanding of how social, cultural, and structural factors intersect to shape women's entrepreneurial experiences. The proposed model offers a localized yet broadly applicable framework for policymakers, business support organizations, and entrepreneurial educators. By identifying the specific constraint categories with the greatest impact, this study provides actionable insights for designing targeted interventions to foster an enabling environment for women-owned businesses. Such efforts are essential for increasing women's contribution to national economies, addressing unemployment, and enabling women to create sustainable employment opportunities for themselves and others. The model's comprehensiveness and future-oriented perspective position it as a valuable tool for advancing both theoretical understanding and practical support for women's entrepreneurship.
Keywords
Women'
s Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Gender Differences
Innovation
Leadership and Management

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 18 August 2024
  • Revise Date 08 January 2025
  • Accept Date 25 January 2025