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Socio-cultural factors and female entrepreneurship

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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the main socio-cultural factors that influence women entrepreneurship in Catalonia, using institutional economics as a theoretical framework. The empirical research employs logistic regression models (rare events logit), utilizing data obtained from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor project (GEM). The main findings highlight that ‘fear of failure’ and ‘perceived capabilities’ are the most important socio-cultural factors on the probability of becoming a woman entrepreneur. The research contributes both theoretically, advancing knowledge of the socio-cultural factors that affect female entrepreneurship, and practically, helping in the development of educational programmes and support policies to promote entrepreneurial activity.

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Notes

  1. Catalonia is one of the richest Spanish regions (INE 2012).

  2. GEM is the largest ongoing study of entrepreneurial dynamics in the world. For more information see http://www.gemconsortium.org/

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Projects ECO2010-16760 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) and 2005SGR00858 (Catalan Government Department for Universities, Research and Information Society).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Business Economics Department, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Building B, Campus UAB, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain

    Maria Noguera, Claudia Alvarez & David Urbano

  2. University of Medellin, Medellín, Colombia

    Claudia Alvarez

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  1. Maria Noguera
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Correspondence to David Urbano.

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Noguera, M., Alvarez, C. & Urbano, D. Socio-cultural factors and female entrepreneurship. Int Entrep Manag J 9, 183–197 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-013-0251-x

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