Exploring the skills, knowledge and attitudes of successful female entrepreneurs in Ghana

Anambane

2019

JEEE

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of culture and gender stereotypes in the entrepreneurial journey of women entrepreneurs. It specifically focuses on women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the qualitative approach and collected data from 20 women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews which were analysed according to identified themes. Findings The key finding of the study is that culture, through gender stereotypes, acts as a “push” motivational factor of women entrepreneurship and breeds more necessity-driven women entrepreneurs than opportunity-driven ones. However, gender stereotyping is found to be a bane to entrepreneurial success of several women-owned enterprises. Due to gender stereotypes, countless women entrepreneurs are sceptical about venturing into “unknown sector” sectors not familiar and operating larger businesses that are likely to yield more profits. Originality/value Currently, there is less research on entrepreneurship and culture/gender stereotypes until now in Ghana, and this study seeks to bridge this gap. The results are discussed linking what is pertaining in other economic landscapes, thus avoiding just national perspectives. This is the first known study conducted in the study area that looks at entrepreneurship through the lens of culture-gender stereotypes.

Section: Motivations Of Women Entrepreneurs: a Critical Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Review Of Literature On Key Themes Of the Research Issue Women Entrepreneurship Explainedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the role of culture and gender stereotypes in women entrepreneurship through the lens of the stereotype threat theory

Anambane

2019

JEEE

“…It is therefore imperative to state at this point that a woman's ability to participate and have influence in her society through entrepreneurship will largely depend on how women are perceived in that society. The Millennium Development Goal 3 which aims to "promote gender equality and women empowerment" happens to be one of the major instruments through which governments and other development partners seeks to bridge the gender gap in business (Buame et al, 2013). Thus, it has been recognised that empowering women in entrepreneurship will encourage economic growth and further improve on their status in society.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, it has been recognised that empowering women in entrepreneurship will encourage economic growth and further improve on their status in society. In Ghana, for instance, Buame et al (2013) note that an annual economic growth rate of 2.5 per cent can be achieved by a significant improvement in gender equity either through human capital accumulation or economic participation among women.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A critical assessment of work and family life of female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa

Asare-Yeboa

Quaye

et al. 2017

JSBED

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate how work and family lives of female entrepreneurs in emerging Sub-Saharan countries including Ghana influence their business performance, with focus on criteria such as income, number of outlets, and number of employees the entrepreneur controls. Design/methodology/approach -A phenomenological qualitative approach to research was adopted for this study to help the researcher gain deeper understanding of experiences of Ghanaian female entrepreneurs with respect to their work and family life and its influence on business performance. With a purposive sampling technique, 25 active women entrepreneurs with family responsibilities were sampled for the study. A multiple case study strategy, in-depth face-to-face interviews, and participant observation were used to solicit responses from participants included in the study. Findings -The study revealed that a majority of female entrepreneurs involved in the study believe that their roles and responsibilities to their families have a negative impact on both the income they generate from their business and their willingness to expand their outlets. However, it has a positive impact on their willingness to employ additional employees in their businesses. As a consequence, this study reveals that quality family life is essential to these female entrepreneurs and they are willing to put the well-being of their families first, even at the expense of their business growth.Research limitations/implications -The study focused solely on the work and family life of women entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance in Ghana. However, there exist other critical issues that affect women entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan region that can be explored to provide more insight on this subject or in different contexts. Originality/value -As a first of its kind in the Ghanaian context, little is known in extant literature until now with regard to work and family life of female entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance. This study therefore seeks to bridge this gap.

“…Empowering them and reducing the gender gap that exists between them and their male counterparts, as emphasized by Sustainable Development Goal 5, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, achieve this. In Ghana, for instance, Buame et al (2013) note that an annual economic growth rate of 2.5 per cent will be achieved through a significant improvement in gender equity either through human capital accumulation or economic participation among women.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

An evaluation of human capital theory and female entrepreneurship in sub-Sahara Africa

Asare-Yeboa

2016

IJGE

Purpose The study aims to evaluate critically how the elements of human capital theory such as level of education, area of education, training and prior work experience influence female entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa, with focus on Ghana. Though it is very critical that the elements of human capital are known and assessed, there is currently very little known about the elements of human capital as pertains to female entrepreneurship in Ghana. This situation has called for a study such as this one. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological paradigm was adopted for the study. This includes in-depth interview, documentation and observation. Unlike narrative research that reports on lived experiences of an individual, phenomenological study focuses on describing the lived experiences of several individuals. It is mainly a descriptive account of shared experiences of those individuals located near universal lived experience(s). Findings Reporting data from a 2014 qualitative in-depth interview of 25 women entrepreneurs in Accra who work in service delivery, manufacturing and trading, it was revealed that level of education, business training and knowledge gained during the course of their work were crucial factors for their success. As a consequence, this study calls for effective policies that will encourage education and training of women entrepreneurs, especially those with low levels of education, on a sustainable basis. Research limitations/implications The study focused on some of the elements of human capital and women’s entrepreneurship in Ghana. However, there exist other issues that are critical to the development of female entrepreneurship in the sub-Saharan region that can be explored to provide more insight on this subject or different context. Practical implications The human capital dimensions which were evaluated for this study included level of education, area of education, business training and experience gained from prior employment. The outcome is that these elements are crucial for the success of women entrepreneurs in Ghana, but there is the need for wider research in other global regions on women entrepreneurs and human capital factors and whether similar variations prevail. Originality/value Evidence from the literature reveals that little is known until now to evaluate the elements of the human capital of female entrepreneurs in Ghana, and this study seeks to bridge this gap. Results are examined comparing what is pertaining in other international communities, thus avoiding a merely national viewpoint.