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The neglected role of formal and informal institutions in women’s entrepreneurship: a multi-level analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Gimenez-Jimenez

    (Technische Universität München)

  • Andrea Calabrò

    (IPAG Business School)

  • David Urbano

    (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Edifici B, Campus UAB)

Abstract

This article draws upon institutional theory to investigate whether and to what extent informal institutions (masculinity, power distance, individualism, and indulgence) affect the relationship between formal institutions (the public expenditure on childcare and the length of parental leave) and the likelihood that women will become entrepreneurs. The main findings show that societies characterized by high masculinity and/or low individualism amplify the relationship between the public expenditure on childcare and the likelihood that women will become entrepreneurs. Instead, high-indulgent societies weaken the negative relationship between the length of parental leave and the likelihood that women will become entrepreneurs. We provide a nuanced picture of women’s entrepreneurship by considering the neglected role of informal institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Gimenez-Jimenez & Andrea Calabrò & David Urbano, 2020. "The neglected role of formal and informal institutions in women’s entrepreneurship: a multi-level analysis," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 196-226, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jinten:v:18:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10843-020-00270-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10843-020-00270-8
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jinhua Xie & Gangqiao Yang & Ge Wang & Yaying Zhu & Zhaoxia Guo, 2023. "Substitutes or complements? Exploring the impact of environmental regulations and informal institutions on the clean energy utilization behaviors of farmers," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 3893-3922, May.
    3. Krammer, Sorin, 2021. "Navigating The New Normal: Which Firms Have Adapted Better To The Covid-19 Disruption?," MPRA Paper 109485, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Krammer, Sorin M.S., 2022. "Navigating the New Normal: Which firms have adapted better to the COVID-19 disruption?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    5. Kim, Sahrok & Praveen Parboteeah, K. & Cullen, John B. & Jeong, Nara, 2022. "Social institutions approach to women’s firm ownership and firm bribery activity: A study of small-sized firms in emerging markets," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1333-1349.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Women’s entrepreneurship; Female entrepreneurship; Formal institutions; Informal institutions; Institutional theory; Multi-level analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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