Women’s experiences of legitimacy, satisfaction and commitment as entrepreneurs: embedded in gender hierarchy and networks in private and business spheres

Female entrepreneurs’ cognitive attributes and venture growth in Japan: the moderating role of perceived social legitimacy

“…Perceived legitimacy may facilitate the development of women's motivation to engage in entrepreneurial activity (Kibler and Kautonen, 2016). The perception of legitimacy may assist female entrepreneurs in not only securing valuable tangible and intangible resources (Zimmermann and Zeitz, 2002) but also in fulfilling the need for self-efficacy and perseverance in entrepreneurial actions (Bradley and Roberts, 2004;Liu et al, 2019;Murphy et al, 2007). Additionally, attaining both legitimacy and cognitive resources would help female entrepreneurs mitigate the psychological strain from fulfilling the differing roles of a "woman" and an "entrepreneur" (Liu et al, 2019).…”

“…The perception of legitimacy may assist female entrepreneurs in not only securing valuable tangible and intangible resources (Zimmermann and Zeitz, 2002) but also in fulfilling the need for self-efficacy and perseverance in entrepreneurial actions (Bradley and Roberts, 2004;Liu et al, 2019;Murphy et al, 2007). Additionally, attaining both legitimacy and cognitive resources would help female entrepreneurs mitigate the psychological strain from fulfilling the differing roles of a "woman" and an "entrepreneur" (Liu et al, 2019). By integrating the concept of perceived social legitimacy, we can respond to Miao et al (2017), who sought further examination of untested boundary conditions in the cognitive characteristics-venture growth equation [1].…”

“…Furthermore, it is plausible that leveraging rich cognitive attributes matters significantly to identify new entrepreneurial opportunities in challenging and competitive situations (Bullough and Renko, 2013). In addition, high levels of mental stamina and determination are essential to cope with different forms of gender-specific barriers, such as hierarchy, biased gender roles and discrimination by bank loan officers when accessing financing (Liu et al, 2019;Vershinina et al, 2019). Despite their importance in female entrepreneurship contexts, there is, however, a paucity of empirical articles investigating whether and how women's cognitive factors determine their entrepreneurial intentions and the success or failure of their ventures (Amatucci and Crawley, 2011).…”

“…There are arguments that social approval of entrepreneurship may shape the interaction between entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the venture growth of women-led businesses in various ways. Firstly, the social credibility of female entrepreneurship induces female entrepreneurs to feel confident about their competence in acquiring the valuable market information required (Liu et al, 2019;Murphy et al, 2007). Secondly, the perceived social Cognitive attributes and venture growth legitimacy amongst local and international stakeholders strengthens women's self-efficacy and helps them develop new business opportunities to demonstrate themselves as promising female entrepreneurs in the changing market dynamics (Dimov, 2010;Hopp and Stephan, 2012;Vershinina et al, 2019).…”

“…To demonstrate perseverance and goal commitment, female entrepreneurs can strive to appear more trustworthy in the local community (Hopp and Stephan, 2009). As legitimacy ensures entrepreneurs' convictions (Kibler et al, 2014), female entrepreneurs who perceive greater levels of the legitimacy of entrepreneurship in society may persist more adamantly in pursuing their entrepreneurial goals (Liu et al, 2019;Wyrwich et al, 2016). Conversely, the social stigmatisation that arises from an environment with low social approval of entrepreneurship may reduce perseverance in the face of adversity (Wyrwich et al, 2016).…”