The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

There has been a notable increase in the number of women entering self-employment in the UK since the 1980s, such that by 1997 women represented approximately 26% of the self-employed population (Office of National Statistics, 1997). Existing evidence pertaining to this area has largely focused upon the challenges presented specifically to women when entering self-employment and whether their problems are associated with their gender. Whilst there are dissenting opinions, the evidence would appear to suggest that women will experience challenges within self-employment that can be related to their gender. This has resulted in suggestions for specific policies or initiatives to assist women to overcome these barriers, and also suggestions regarding specific behaviours that women might adopt to help themselves and to serve as role models to other nascent female ‘entrepreneurs’. This paper offers a critique of the dominant focus of the literature pertaining to women and self-employment and upon the so-called ‘solution’ to the problem of female entrepreneurship. Rather, it is suggested that the prevailing literature has almost completely failed to cite the analysis of women in self-employment in the larger feminist debate regarding female subordination, androcentric norms and masculinized hegemony. Hence, the dominant analysis in this area represents women as blemished men who must be assisted to become honorary men, and in so doing will then achieve within the existing paradigm of entrepreneurship. For as long as this analysis persists, our comprehension of the experience of femaleness and self-employment will only be partial.

Based on the findings of a literature review of over 425 articles and reports on women in small business commissioned by the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism in Australia, factors that have a gender-specific impact on women in small business are identified. These factors include age, education and experience; motivations, values and risk-taking; business and financial planning; financing; training and business assistance needs; networks and mentoring; and legal issues. Suggestions are made on how the help and advice of accountants and other assistance providers may be influenced by these gender differences.

In most countries the rate of female entrepreneurship is around half of that for males. In an era when the vast majority of the modern world has legislative and practical gender equality in terms of economic opportunity, a common question for studies of entrepreneurship is why female rates consistently lag behind those of males. Using results obtained in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2000, this paper addresses that question by analysing rates of entrepreneurship amongst males and females in two European countries of similar size: Finland and Scotland. Differences and similarities in types and characteristics of female entrepreneurs and female-owned businesses in the two countries are also investigated, as are culture, attitudes to entrepreneurship and public support systems (including education). This comparative study suggests that female entrepreneurship often comprises unique circumstances and characteristics, such as differences (from males) in motivations for startup and for business growth, and limited variation in industry sectors entered. The study also shows that female business owners tend to maintain traditional domestic roles alongside their professional ones. While further research is necessary, it is clear that if rates of female entrepreneurship are to increase, as is identified as a priority in both Finland and Scotland (Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland, 2000; Scottish Enterprise, 2001), greater account should be taken of the different profile female entrepreneurs can have from males, as well as specific socio-cultural and institutionalized constraints to female enterprise.

This article presents the results of research on the importance of women entrepreneurs in Mexico related to the rates of females in the workforce, compared with the total numbers of entrepreneurs in the country and with international trends. The significance of women as owners of micro-businesses and small businesses and the increasing diversification of their companies with respect to different types of business are shown. The article also analyses the relationships between work and family and the important role of women in family business in Mexico.

This study presents a preliminary report of an exploratory, qualitative investigation of the role of Omani women entrepreneurs in Muscat. It establishes the factors that motivate women to become entrepreneurs. Opportunities for the growth and expansion of women's entrepreneurship in Oman, as well as barriers that women encounter, are discussed. Suggestions are offered as to how women's entrepreneurship in Oman might be encouraged, along with questions for future research.

Many questions can be raised about the position of women in business in China. Has the reform period given women greater opportunities to enhance their economic and social status? What proportion of new small businesses are owned by women and how does the situation in China compare with that in other countries? Are women involved in large businesses? Are women in managerial positions in private business? Are women as motivated as men to achieve managerial positions? Do men and women in China manage businesses differently? Do men and women have different personnel management styles? What are the career options? Are women subject to discrimination and harassment in the workplace? Does the ‘glass ceiling’ exist in China? Are the issues of concern for Chinese businesswomen similar to those of businesswomen elsewhere or are their experiences determined more by specifically Chinese social and economic conditions? These questions are being examined through ongoing research conducted in Yunnan province in south-west China and in Shanghai and Suzhou in eastern China using literature search, questionnaire survey and structured interviews with women working in both state-owned and private business.

‘Internet Review’ identifies relevant and useful Websites related to entrepreneurship and innovation. This issue's article reviews Websites on women entrepreneurs. The US Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy estimated that there were 9.1 million women-owned firms in 2001, employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion in sales and revenue to the US economy. Over 18 million women business owners set up one-third of the companies created in the European Union. International research results suggest that the needs of women entrepreneurs worldwide are similar and that their major problems are finance/capital, education/training and networks/markets.