Push or pull motivation A study of migrant women entrepreneurs in UAE

Abstract

: The study intends to find the motivational factors and personality characteristics of migrant women entrepreneurs in UAE. While a number of research argue that women have been pulled into entrepreneurship for economic independence, other studies consider that women have been pushed to entrepreneurship due to non-availability of employment opportunities in other areas. To date, existing research on ‘push-pull’ has not been considered in the context of migrant women entrepreneurs in UAE. Drawing on survey and interview with 29 ‘migrant’ (also called ‘expatriate’) women entrepreneurs in UAE, this exploratory study examines the motivational factors and entrepreneurial traits of success for the expatriate women. Data are collected over a period of one year, and consists of a survey through a questionnaire and interviews with 13 of the entrepreneurs to understand the entrepreneurial journey. The findings suggest the importance of push as well as the pull factors, and the influence of the personal characteristics in the formation of a new business. By exploring the motivations and characteristics that impact the business performance of women migrant entrepreneurs, we aim to enrich understanding on migrant women entrepreneurship in UAE.