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Entrepreneurial motivations and business performance: A study of female online microbusiness owners

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  • Shibo Li
  • Edwin Setiawan Sanusi

Abstract

This study aims to examine the correlation between various types of entrepreneurial motivations and the corporate performance of self-employed micro-businesses operated by women in China. Through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) estimation on a sample of 160 female entrepreneurs, our findings reveal that female entrepreneurs driven by pull motivation prioritize non-financial performance as their primary goal. Conversely, those driven by push motivation exhibit a greater emphasis on financial performance. Furthermore, the cross-group analysis indicates that a high level of motivation among necessity-driven female microbusiness entrepreneurs contributes to achieving a high level of financial performance, whereas a high level of motivation among opportunity-based female microbusiness entrepreneurs does not significantly influence non-financial performance. The implications of these findings for research and policy development pertaining to Chinese female online microbusinesses are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Shibo Li & Edwin Setiawan Sanusi, 2023. "Entrepreneurial motivations and business performance: A study of female online microbusiness owners," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-21, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0289946
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289946
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Alan Simon & Chloe Bartle & Gary Stockport & Brett Smith & Jane E. Klobas & Amrik Sohal, 2015. "Business leaders’ views on the importance of strategic and dynamic capabilities for successful financial and non-financial business performance," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 64(7), pages 908-931, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hanna Mizgajska, 2025. "Motivation as a Driving Force for Achievement in Micro and Small Enterprises: Differences from the Gender Perspectives," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 552-565.

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