The global training deficit: the scarcity of formal and informal professional development opportunities for women entrepreneurs

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to highlight the global dearth of training options to support women entrepreneurs and to forward a set of recommendations to better meet the learning needs of women who own their businesses.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a thorough literature review on the topic, which examines the learning and training experiences of female entrepreneurs in a wide range of disparate societies.FindingsThe absence of leaning, training and professional development opportunities for women entrepreneurs is found to be an almost universal phenomenon. In the few examples where training has been planned and provided, the results have been very significant. Further, women and their businesses are disadvantaged by the lack of training available and that this comes at a high cost to their businesses.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications are that countries are hindering economic activity, growth and prosperity by ignoring the professional development needs of women business owners.Originality/valueThe topic of professional development opportunities for women entrepreneurs, especially a comprehensive international comparison, appears to be a first in the literature. The value of the piece is that agencies supporting small business and/or women can identify ways in which they can improve service delivery and outcomes.

Gender and Services Economy: Lebanese Women Position in Complex Arab World

“…However, Davis (2012) argues that it has been completely understood that females' entrepreneurs face impressive separation, preference and gender stereotyping all through the world.…”

Indian Women as Entrepreneurs

“…Further, they are restricted in the type of businesses they can run (Goyal & Parkash, 2011 ). Th ey, therefore, rely on their husbands and fathers to assist in business ventures (Davis, 2012 ). Women entrepreneurs are regarded with suspicion when they want to engage in entrepreneurial activities without the presence of their spouses (Arunachalam, 2014 ;Ibeh, 2009 ).…”

“…Another barrier women entrepreneurs face is the diffi culty of accessing capital from relatives, spouses, banks, and fi nance agencies as they are perceived as not being credible (Davis, 2012 ). Davidson et al ( 2010 ) point out that South Asian women in the UK experienced challenges in obtaining business and fi nancial support as their networks did not extend beyond their gender and ethnic groups.…”

“…Yet, informal learning through networking with men provides women entrepreneurs ideas with which to start up new business ventures, to grow their businesses, and to identify new markets (Davis, 2012 ) which are vital, especially for those in male-dominated environments (Hampton et al, 2011 ). Th e networks they form involve those with whom they have empathy, confi dence and trust (Hampton et al, 2011 ) and are diff erent from those of men (Davis, 2012 ). Forson ( 2006 ) found that South Asian women's networks are limited to family and friends and do not extend to higher levels of business or politics, which is an obstacle to their business ventures.…”

“…Business associations are dominated by men, who exclude women (Davis, 2012 ), especially in developing countries (Ibeh, 2009 ). In many societies, women's associations are governed by patriarchy and social norms where women are not allowed to network with men (Sharma, 2014 ).…”