Gender and Export Behaviour: Evidence from Women-Owned Enterprises

Abstract

This article draws on the results of a qualitative, exploratory study of 20 Australian women business owners to demonstrate how using a 'gender as social identity' lens provides new insights into the influence of gender on exporting and entrepreneurial behaviour. Interview data reveal perceptions of gender identity and gender relations varied and influenced the interpretations which women business owners placed on their exporting activities. Women in the study used different terms to describe exporter and entrepreneurial characteristics to those found in extant literature. A strong theme was exporting as a life-changing experience that allowed the women to grow personally as well as grow the business and succeed as exporters.

Discourses of entrepreneurial leadership: Exposing myths and exploring new approaches

“…García and Welter (2013) conclude that gender identity is a dynamic process as female entrepreneurs construct their identities in a multiplicity of ways. Welch et al (2008) also consider how gender and gender relations shape the experience of female entrepreneurs in the context of export activities. Their research participants shared various perceptions of how being a woman affected their experience.…”

Gender identities and practices: Interpreting women entrepreneurs’ narratives

“…The awareness of these shortcomings in previous research might be the reason why gender identity has been a focus of interest for recent studies with mixed samples (Benschop, 2009;Binns, 2008) or male samples (Pullen and Simpson, 2009). This has also become manifest within the literature on female entrepreneurship (Nadin, 2007;Patterson and Mavin, 2009;Welsch et al, 2008). Although referenced in previous research (Ahl, 2002;Bruni et al, 2005 and Díaz and Brush, forthcoming), there are two issues not fully recognised within the research agenda.…”

Características de las pymes según la gerencia sea hombre o mujer: caso empírico de Cali

“…Las investigaciones de socios de ambos géneros en la propiedad de la organización han llevado a la conclusión de que las mujeres suelen mostrar una mayor conciencia ética en la gestión de su empresa (Welch, Welch y Hewerdine, 2008). Además, demostraron que las mujeres emprendedoras tienen un mayor grado de prevención del riesgo que los hombres.…”