ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY OF WOMEN IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM 29 COUNTRIES
Anne
Kovalainen, Turku School of Economics and Business Administration
Pia Arenius, Helsinki University of Technology
Laura Galloway, Heriot-Watt University
Principal Topic
This study explores women’s entrepreneurship across 29 countries. We will identify differences between entrepreneurial activities of men and women in these countries and seek to discover what factors may influence the relative participation of women in entrepreneurial activities. tour aim is to develop a theoretical model that explicates relationships between macro-level variables and the entrepreneurial activity of women. We will test the model in a sample of 29 countries (GEM2001).
While the changes in the economy and restructuring of the labor markets in terms of employee qualifications, nature of the work contents and contracts are changing, these changes have also raised the profile and importance of entrepreneurship within the global network economy. The gap between the genders in entrepreneurship has, however, remained almost unchanged over time. Women’s position in entrepreneurship has become of interest not only because female unemployment is growing in many countries, but also because of two major reasons; the changes that have taken place in the female-dominated service sector and the labour markets in general on the one hand, and the changes that are taking place in the ways large corporations develop some key functions (outsourcing, subcontracting). Despite the rapid growth of women in professional and managerial jobs in the global and local economies, and the breakthrough of the glass-ceiling for women in large corporations, the changes in women’s entrepreneurship seem to take place at a somewhat slower pace.
Method
Multivariate analysis is adopted to explain the variation in women’s participation in entrepreneurship. Data on entrepreneurial activity of women is derived from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research, coordinated by Babson College and London Business School. In 2001, at least 2 000 working-age adults have been interviewed in each of the 29 participating countries to investigate their entrepreneurial attitudes, aspirations and activities. In 2001, a total of 60 000 individuals were thus interviewed. This interview data is used to calculate measures for start-up activity and baby business activity, which are comparable across countries and used as dependent variables in this study. In addition, other measures will also used to explain the differences.
Results and Implications
In this study further explanations for women’s participation in entrepreneurship are examined And possible explanatory factors will be developed further. Straightforward policy implications will emerge from this study, as one of the key aspects for promoting women’s participation in entrepreneurial activities is related to long-term economic prosperity.
CONTACT: Anne Kovalainen, Turku School of Economics and Business Administration, Rehtorinpellonkatu 3, FI-20500 Turku; (T) +358 40 5548 482; anne.kovalainen@tukkk.fi
2002 Babson College. All Rights Reserved. Last Updated March 2003.