Factors Affecting the Success of Women Entrepreneurs in Egypt

Abstract

Women's entrepreneurship is still a topic of interest on a global scale. According to studies by many scholars, the rate of female entrepreneurship activities and initiatives is considerably lower than those of men, especially in countries experiencing high gender inequality. The predominance of cultural practices exacerbating favoritism towards men is a major contributor to gender inequality in developing countries. Women become entrepreneurs for two reasons: out of choice or need. Despite the fact that women's participation in the workforce today reflects clear improvement, some studies found that women still have difficulty advancing their careers and, in particular, finding role models for effective managerial leadership. The purpose of this study is to explore factors affecting Egyptian women entrepreneurs’ success. This work is exploratory, as it follows a qualitative approach. The authors conducted eleven in-depth interviews with Egyptian women entrepreneurs from different sectors. The suggested conceptual framework presents several factors that affect the success of women entrepreneurs in Egypt, with different levels: personal factors (entrepreneurial mindset: opportunity recognition and attributes of leadership: motivation and passion, team builder), social support factors (friends & family support and family background and attitudinal drivers) and environmental factors (the use of social media and technology, the integration of sustainable environmental aspects into business strategy and the Egyptian entrepreneurial ecosystem). This study serves as a foundation for further research, analysis, and discussion of the interwind subjects of women, entrepreneurship, and leadership.