Informal institutional void and female entrepreneurship in emerging economies: a comparative analysis among physical and online female entrepreneurs

Women in developing, emerging, and third world countries often encounter discriminatory attitudes and face informal institutional voids when engaging in entrepreneurial activities. This issue is particularly relevant for traditional women entrepreneurs who operate in physical platforms. However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in online business activities. Against this backdrop, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of informal institutional voids on female entrepreneurs in emerging and developing countries. To achieve this objective, a quantitative study was conducted using structured questionnaires, targeting female entrepreneurs (online and physical platform). The study employed descriptive statistics and comparative analysis to present the findings. The results indicate that online women entrepreneurs encounter more normative barriers, whereas physical entrepreneurs have to contend with more cognitive challenges. Furthermore, the outcomes suggest that as women attain higher levels of education, they become less susceptible to these institutional voids. In addition to these findings, this study has made three significant theoretical contributions and offers several policy recommendations aimed at fostering the development and sustainability of female entrepreneurship in these contexts.