Female entrepreneurship in emerging and developing countries: a systematic review of practical and policy implications and suggestions for new studies

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.

Guest editorial: Reimaging and contextualising women’s entrepreneurship in Asia

“…While women’s entrepreneurship is no doubt of global importance (Brush and Cooper, 2012), its growth and relevance is to the world’s emerging economies is of particular significance (Anderson and Ojediran, 2022; Corrêa et al , 2022). Representing an undeveloped potential for future economic growth and development in emerging economies (Kimbu and Ngoasong, 2016), women’s entrepreneurship in emerging economies remain largely under-researched and under-theorised by the existing literature (Ahl, 2006; Rosca et al , 2020).…”

“…The second issue faced in the literature is lack of gendered contextualisation of women’s entrepreneurship in emerging economies (Mustafa and Treanor, 2022). While existing research has recognised differences between developed and emerging economies (Chan and Mustafa, 2021; Hoskisson et al , 2000), significant differences can also be observed among emerging economies with respect to not only rates of women’s entrepreneurship (Corrêa et al , 2022), but also the range of socio-economic and cultural factors which shape such entrepreneurial activity. One region which consists of a diverse range of economic, social, political, cultural and religious differences is Asia.…”

Performance differentials of necessity and opportunity entrepreneurs: through the lens of motivation to learn and female entrepreneurial competencies

“…Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are widely regarded as a nation's economic engine and is viewed as a means for women's empowerment, especially in the context of Necessity and opportunity entrepreneurs 159 emerging economies. To advance women entrepreneurship in developing countries, alignment and integration with government policies are considered vital (Corrêa et al, 2022). According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 2021-2022, in India, there are approximately 63.39 million units and only about 20.37% are owned by women.…”

Women Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Perspectives of an Emerging Economy

“…Scholars have analyzed their entrepreneurship attributes, such as business competence, performance, and entrepreneurial orientation, with the purpose of helping them to recognize the most appropriate aspects of their performance and driving factors, as well as motivation (Corrêa et al 2021). Other studies have focused on mapping and categorizing implications referring to their policy, managerial, and practical aspects, with the aim to raise awareness of the policies to be undertaken on overcoming their entrepreneurial challenges (Corrêa et al 2022). However, "every region has its own social and cultural challenges affecting differently to women entrepreneurs" (Rashid and Ratten 2020, p. 37).…”