Leadership and entrepreneurial choices: understanding the motivational dynamics of women entrepreneurs in Mexico

This paper investigates women's entrepreneurial leadership within Stewart's role demands-constraints-choices in Mexico. It highlights the underrepresented role of female entrepreneurs in Latin America and aims to fill a literature gap by examining their unique motivations and leadership styles. Adopting a qualitative method and semi-structured interviews with Mexican women entrepreneurs, it finds that their motivations are intertwined with personal goals, cultural norms, and economic conditions, contrasting with findings from developing nations. Key motivations include financial autonomy, family support, societal betterment, and personal fulfilment. Findings offer a comprehensive view of the complex interplay between the entrepreneurs' roles, motivations, and leadership decisions within the socio-economic and cultural backdrop. It contributes to the broader dialogue on international entrepreneurship and women's studies, enhancing understanding of Mexican women's entrepreneurship. Conclusions and recommendations offer practical implications for policymakers, educators, and industry professionals by providing strategies to cultivate an environment that supports women's entrepreneurial leadership in emerging economies.