Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa
Women entrepreneurs are increasingly recognised as pivotal contributors to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and employment generation, particularly in developing economies like South Africa. This study explores the contributing and constraining factors that shape the future of women’s entrepren...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Administrative Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/1/14 |
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| author | Patrick Ebong Ebewo Cecile Schultz Mphoreng Magdeline Mmako |
| author_facet | Patrick Ebong Ebewo Cecile Schultz Mphoreng Magdeline Mmako |
| author_sort | Patrick Ebong Ebewo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Women entrepreneurs are increasingly recognised as pivotal contributors to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and employment generation, particularly in developing economies like South Africa. This study explores the contributing and constraining factors that shape the future of women’s entrepreneurship in South Africa through the lens of Institutional Theory. Using a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine (9) women entrepreneurs affiliated with a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development. The findings highlight key enabling factors, such as mentorship, education, supportive policies, collaboration, and government intervention programmes, which equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, and resources needed to thrive. However, significant barriers persist, including financial exclusion, societal norms, ineffective policies, and psychological constraints such as low entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The study concludes that aligning institutional support across the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimensions is essential for fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recommendations include simplifying access to funding, expanding mentorship opportunities, and addressing systemic cultural and policy barriers to create a more equitable and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0dd5188bc96d465488eca7465ad48ff8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3387 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Administrative Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0dd5188bc96d465488eca7465ad48ff82025-01-24T13:15:19ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872025-01-011511410.3390/admsci15010014Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South AfricaPatrick Ebong Ebewo0Cecile Schultz1Mphoreng Magdeline Mmako2Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South AfricaDepartment of People Management and Development, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South AfricaDepartment of People Management and Development, Tshwane University of Technology, Polokwane 0699, South AfricaWomen entrepreneurs are increasingly recognised as pivotal contributors to economic growth, poverty alleviation, and employment generation, particularly in developing economies like South Africa. This study explores the contributing and constraining factors that shape the future of women’s entrepreneurship in South Africa through the lens of Institutional Theory. Using a qualitative methodology, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine (9) women entrepreneurs affiliated with a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development. The findings highlight key enabling factors, such as mentorship, education, supportive policies, collaboration, and government intervention programmes, which equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, and resources needed to thrive. However, significant barriers persist, including financial exclusion, societal norms, ineffective policies, and psychological constraints such as low entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The study concludes that aligning institutional support across the regulatory, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimensions is essential for fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Recommendations include simplifying access to funding, expanding mentorship opportunities, and addressing systemic cultural and policy barriers to create a more equitable and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/1/14institutional theoryentrepreneurial barriersgovernment policiessmall and medium enterprises (SMEs)self-efficacywomen’s economic participation |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Ebong Ebewo Cecile Schultz Mphoreng Magdeline Mmako Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa Administrative Sciences institutional theory entrepreneurial barriers government policies small and medium enterprises (SMEs) self-efficacy women’s economic participation |
| title | Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa |
| title_full | Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa |
| title_short | Towards Inclusive Entrepreneurship: Addressing Constraining and Contributing Factors for Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa |
| title_sort | towards inclusive entrepreneurship addressing constraining and contributing factors for women entrepreneurs in south africa |
| topic | institutional theory entrepreneurial barriers government policies small and medium enterprises (SMEs) self-efficacy women’s economic participation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/15/1/14 |
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