Introduction: While entrepreneurship is often presented as an equal opportunity for wealth creation and poverty reduction, complex realities such as unequal structures and institutional barriers that disproportionately affect minority entrepreneurs are frequently overlooked. These barriers are rooted in structural biases and entrenched discrimination, and our understanding of their precise mechanisms at the global and cross-country levels remains incomplete. The primary objective of this study is to conduct an empirical analysis on a cross-country scale to assess the impact of structural barriers on entrepreneurial performance among minority groups. To this end, this research integrates insights from the resource-based view (Barney), institutional theory (DiMaggio and Powell), and intersectionality theory (Crenshaw).

Methodology: This study employs a quantitative and analytical approach to examine the impact of structural barriers on entrepreneurial performance among minority groups across various Asian, European, and African countries using panel data encompassing 45 countries over the period from 2005 to 2023. This data structure allows for both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to investigate the dynamics of entrepreneurship over time within diverse institutional contexts. The data utilized are sourced from a range of international datasets, including the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI), AsiaBarometer, ArabBarometer, Afrobarometer, Eurobarometer, International Labour Organization (ILO), OECD statistics, World Development Indicators (WDI), and World Bank Enterprise Surveys.

Findings: The findings indicate a significant negative performance gap for minority entrepreneurs, which is exacerbated in environments with limited access to financing and poor institutional quality. A key contribution of this research is the empirical confirmation of intersectionality theory, which shows that performance deficits are more pronounced due to multilayered disadvantages, particularly among minority women entrepreneurs. This study emphasizes the critical role of institutional frameworks in mitigating or exacerbating entrepreneurial inequalities. Finally, the heterogeneity analysis shows that the institutional and structural conditions of countries, as well as gender characteristics, significantly shape how barriers affect the economic performance of minorities

Conclusion/ Implications: This study, through a multi-country empirical analysis, demonstrated that structural barriers such as financial constraints and systemic discrimination significantly diminish the economic performance of minority entrepreneurs. The role of institutions as a moderating factor is prominent, with institutional quality capable of either exacerbating or mitigating the impact of these barriers. The research recommends that policymakers design targeted and inclusive financial and support programs for marginalized groups and emphasizes the necessity of public-private partnerships in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems. Ultimately, this study contributes to the discourse on minority entrepreneurship by highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing inequalities.