The influence of culture on female entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> There is an increasing interest in female entrepreneurship, not only to realise the potential for economic growth, but also in light of the opportunities for female expression, emancipation, agency and empowerment. Literature has found that many female entrepreneurs are profoundly affected by the traditional sociocultural context in which they operate, and that they have needed to work around patriarchal barriers in order to succeed. This study explores the ways in which they do this.<p><strong>Aim:</strong> The aim of this paper was to contribute to an understanding of how female entrepreneurs in a patriarchal African society can work within cultural constraints to achieve success within their own terms of reference.</p><p><strong>Setting:</strong> The study took place in Zimbabwe among female entrepreneurs who had recently formalised their businesses</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Using a qualitative interpretive research design, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 43 African female entrepreneurs running their own businesses in the Zimbabwean cities of Harare and Bulawayo.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The complex interplay of macro- (national cultural characteristics), meso- (institutional and social factors), and micro- (individual identity) level factors shaped the ways in which the women dealt with the shackles of patriarchy, inequality and high power distance that had historically impeded their economic participation. Through their own agency, they mobilised their public and private identities separately, balancing the seemingly incompatible roles of home-maker vs entrepreneur.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Zimbabwean women successfully managed the interaction between their different social roles and identities to balance domestic obligations with income generation to better the lives of their families.</p>

Women entrepreneurship in developing economies: A gender-based growth model

“…In other words, relatives of women entrepreneurs often provide monetary contributions or even join the workforce within women-owned enterprises at little or no extra cost (Dana et al, 2020;Neneh, 2017;Thébaud, 2016). Some of their family members also support their access to markets (Jamali, 2009;Mazonde & Carmichael, 2016). On the contrary, there is evidence that motherhood can restrict the growth of women-owned firms, particularly in contexts wherein entrepreneurship is considered a masculine realm (Jamali, 2009;Mazonde & Carmichael, 2016) or where relatives are of the view that women are unlikely to succeed in entrepreneurship (Adom et al, 2018;Azmat & Fujimoto, 2016) and where there are conflicts with women's family-work (Hurley & Choudhary, 2016;Joona, 2018;Okpara et al, 2011).…”

“…Some of their family members also support their access to markets (Jamali, 2009;Mazonde & Carmichael, 2016). On the contrary, there is evidence that motherhood can restrict the growth of women-owned firms, particularly in contexts wherein entrepreneurship is considered a masculine realm (Jamali, 2009;Mazonde & Carmichael, 2016) or where relatives are of the view that women are unlikely to succeed in entrepreneurship (Adom et al, 2018;Azmat & Fujimoto, 2016) and where there are conflicts with women's family-work (Hurley & Choudhary, 2016;Joona, 2018;Okpara et al, 2011). In such instances, motherhood could inhibit the growth of women-owned enterprises.…”

“…From an institutional perspective, these macro-environment variables support or inhibit women's access to entrepreneurial opportunities for their enterprises (Dana, 1999;DiMaggio & Powell, 1983;Jimenez & Calabrò, 2019). Particularly, those elements within the macro-environment (including national-level policies, culture, and religion) shape the decision-making processes of gatekeepers of resources and powerholders (Hechavarria & Ingram, 2016;Iakovleva & Kickul, 2011;Mazonde & Carmichael, 2016). Furthermore, the macro-environment (e.g., national-level policies, laws, economy, and religious bodies) provides support mechanisms to assist the growth of womenowned enterprises (Dana, 1999;Farr-Wharton & Brunetto, 2007;Ogundana, 2020).…”

Fostering Entrepreneurship Education among Women and Girls in South Africa: Destroying the Gendered and Encultured Patriachies

“…Woman and Entrepreneurship: There is still minimum research conducted on female entrepreneurship in South Africa and among the developing world (Mazonde and Carmichael, 2016;Brush and Cooper, 2012). Entrepreneur is a French word which dates to the 1700s, and it has been used to refer to someone who undertakes a venture (Herrington, Kew, Kew and Monitor, 2010).…”

Motivational factors affecting informal women entrepreneurs in North-West Province

“…This finding contradicts the results of O'Neill and Viljoen (2001) that South African women are now more accepted as equals, that government policies in South Africa favour women and that women are entering the market at a faster rate than before. Mazonde and Carmichael (2016) interviewed 43 female entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and the majority of the participants reported that their husbands looked down on their entrepreneurial activities. In an effort to keep their family intact, these women were willing to bow to patriarchy.…”