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Women’s Entrepreneurship, Barriers and Culture: Insights from the United Arab Emirates

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  • Hayfaa A. Tlaiss

    (Hayfaa A. Tlaiss is an Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada. E-mail: htlaiss@unv.ca)

Abstract

This article explores the interplay of gender, cultural factors, Islamic teachings and agency in explaining the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Adopting social constructionist and interpretative approaches, this article draws on in-depth interviews with 20 women entrepreneurs in the UAE to explore the interplay between macro socio-cultural values using Hofstede’s ( 2001 ) typology of cultural values and the barriers faced during their entrepreneurial careers. The findings suggest a considerable socio-cultural impact: one that starts with family support and extends to the huge spill-over effect on the business venture itself and on women’s access to capital and business networks. They also highlight the role that women’s agency, self-confidence and persistence are playing in fostering the appetite of local women for entrepreneurship and overcoming the toll of barriers. Overall, the findings suggest that the winds of change, although mild, are nevertheless blowing through the UAE and the Arab Middle East by extension. The significance of the impact of culture on women entrepreneurs in the UAE and Middle East should not be underestimated or ignored by policymakers seeking a better understanding of women’s entrepreneurship in the Arab world.

Suggested Citation

  • Hayfaa A. Tlaiss, 2014. "Women’s Entrepreneurship, Barriers and Culture: Insights from the United Arab Emirates," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 23(2), pages 289-320, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jouent:v:23:y:2014:i:2:p:289-320
    DOI: 10.1177/0971355714535307
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Mabunda Baluku & Julius Fred Kikooma & Edward Bantu & Peter Onderi & Kathleen Otto, 2019. "Impact of personal cultural orientations and cultural intelligence on subjective success in self-employment in multi-ethnic societies," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 9(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Dianne H. B. Welsh & Eugene Kaciak & Caroline Minialai, 2017. "The influence of perceived management skills and perceived gender discrimination in launch decisions by women entrepreneurs," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-33, March.
    3. Dianne H. B. Welsh & Eugene Kaciak, 2019. "Family enrichment and women entrepreneurial success: the mediating effect of family interference," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1045-1075, December.
    4. Martin Mabunda Baluku & Edward Bantu & Kathleen Otto, 2018. "Effect of Locus of Control on Entrepreneurial Attitudes and Self-Employment Intentions: The Moderating Role of Individualism," Journal of Enterprising Culture (JEC), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 26(03), pages 251-283, September.
    5. Welsh, Dianne H.B. & Kaciak, Eugene & Shamah, Rania, 2018. "Determinants of women entrepreneurs' firm performance in a hostile environment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 481-491.

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