Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key factors affecting the success of women entrepreneurs who own and manage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in UAE. The extant literature on the relationship between determinants of entrepreneurial success points to a lack of clarification of the link between success factors (Personal, environmental and other) and performance of women-owned SMEs particularly in UAE. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered questionnaire, through mail survey, is used to collect the data. Cronbach’s α test and factor analysis have been carried out to test the reliability of data and validate the hypothesis. Findings The results suggested that the personal, environmental factors and government support affect positively and significantly to the success of women-owned SMEs in UAE. Research limitations/implications The study has some limits as to its potential for generalization owing to the sample size, wide geographic spread of respondents and time limitations with the respondents. Practical implications The results indicate that several factors including personal, environmental and government support are linked with the success of women entrepreneurs of UAE. The results of this study will provide some insights to policymakers and business practitioners to formulate the strategies intended to promote unveiled potential among women entrepreneurs in UAE. Originality/value Most of the studies focused on women entrepreneurship have taken either their motives or the hurdles faced by them into consideration. Moreover, only a few studies have been carried out in Arab world particularly in UAE. Therefore, this study is an attempt to fill the gap and contribute to a better understanding of UAE’s women-owned SMEs.

Engineering is generally regarded as a "men's sphere," and women in engineering are underrepresented everywhere, including India. However, recent years have witnessed a tremendous increase in the enrollment of women in undergraduate engineering education in India. This brings into question the male image of engineering and the operation of patriarchy in society. This article argues that the notion of the masculine image of science and engineering is simplistic, and that the culture-specific picture is a variegated one wherein market forces, dynamically developing social changes, gender, and technology intersect. Through an empirical survey of women in an engineering college, this article demonstrates that the increase in their participation is specific to computer-related fields in engineering, and directly related to a vibrant market. Although there is no radical shift in the traditional "patrifocal" ideology, the trend of growing number of women engineers reflects the forces of change demonstrating that the masculine "image" is not static either in time or space.

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Gender inequality in science is common to most nations. To a large extent, this inequality is a product of the socio-cultural environment in which science is conducted. The professional environment and the socio-cultural context are inextricably linked together in the practice of science. This Note analyses the perceptions of women academic scientists in India regarding the work and social environment, and the nature of problems faced by them. A triangulation of questionnaire and interview methods was employed to develop a holistic picture. The findings show that women academic scientists are influenced by the prevailing sociocultural system. Thus, ‘patrifocal’ ideology prevails at the workplace and in the family. Women face gender-related difficulties at work, and also shoulder a dual burden resulting in stress. These problems have significant consequences for the career of women academic scientists.