Comparing Male and Female Entrepreneurs-Is the Comparison Justified? (A Qualitative Study in Indian Perspective)

Abstract

In entrepreneurial literature male and female entrepreneurs are compared frequently. Female entrepreneur’s contributions are significantly appreciated but still they are lagging behind male entrepreneurs, is concluded in numerous studies. Women entrepreneurs have diverse motives in comparison to male while engaging in business activities. This study builds on qualitative approach and responses of 22 female entrepreneurs belonging to different industries/domains of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India were collected through face to face in-depth interviews which were analyzed afterwards as per the identified themes. The outcome has concluded that undoubtedly women are made for entrepreneurship but their comparison with male entrepreneurs is completely unjustified; even if researchers are interested, a discrete and self-reliant framework incorporating all possible challenges faced especially by women entrepreneurs should be utilized for better in-depth evaluation of their performance and productivity. Further, the outcome can also be utilized by educational and training institutions, policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders to create a more conducive environment for female entrepreneurs in male-dominant entrepreneurial world.