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A Qualitative Study on Environmental Factors Affecting Iranian Women Entrepreneurs¡¯ Growth Orientation

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  • Zahra Arasti
  • Sima Oliayee Rezayee
  • Behrooz Zarei
  • Shirin Majd Shariat Panahi

Abstract

Despite the impressive growth in the number of firms run by women entrepreneurs, most of these businesses continue to remain small and women-owned firms have not grown as fast as male entrepreneurs. There are many reasons that may help explain the growth limitations in women-owned firms. Among all, growth orientation is an important factor. A common finding in entrepreneurship literature shows that ventures owned by women tend to be smaller than those by men are. This difference can be due to individual, organizational and environmental factors. Since half of Iran¡¯s population is women who are more willing to have higher education and contribution in the society, they deal with more challenges rather than their male counterparts. So attention to the factors affecting growth orientation of their ventures is the same as deliberate economic development and national income. This is a qualitative study to identify environmental factors affecting growth orientation of women entrepreneurs. Data analysis of 10 semi-structured interviews on a sample of women entrepreneurs indicated environmental factors in three groups of "economic", "socio-cultural" and "legal" factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Zahra Arasti & Sima Oliayee Rezayee & Behrooz Zarei & Shirin Majd Shariat Panahi, 2012. "A Qualitative Study on Environmental Factors Affecting Iranian Women Entrepreneurs¡¯ Growth Orientation," Journal of Management and Strategy, Journal of Management and Strategy, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(2), pages 39-49, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:jms111:v:3:y:2012:i:2:p:39-49
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brush, Candida G. & Gatewood, Elizabeth J., 2008. "Women growing businesses: Clearing the hurdles," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 51(3), pages 175-179.
    2. Verheul, Ingrid & Uhlaner, Lorraine & Thurik, Roy, 2005. "Business accomplishments, gender and entrepreneurial self-image," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 20(4), pages 483-518, July.
    3. Candida G. Brush, 1992. "Research on Women Business Owners: Past Trends, a New Perspective and Future Directions," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 16(4), pages 5-30, July.
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