The moderating role of individual and social resources in gender effect on entrepreneurial growth aspirations

Purpose This study examines how the effect of gender on entrepreneurial growth aspirations is moderated differently by individual resources (human and financial capital) compared to those within the social environment (availability of entrepreneurial knowledge and role models). Study design/methodology/approach A multilevel estimator is used to investigate the determinants of growth aspirations of owners-managers of nascent start-ups. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) database is employed, covering the period 2007 to 2019, with 99,000 usable cases drawn from 95 countries. Findings The results suggest that individual financial resources and human capital have positive effects on entrepreneurial growth aspirations; yet these effects are weaker for female entrepreneurs relative to males. In contrast, the impact of availability of entrepreneurial social knowledge and role models on their growth aspirations is more positive than for male entrepreneurs. Originality This study offers a novel insight into entrepreneurial growth ambition, as it utilises a global perspective to scrutinise whether individual and social resources contribute differently to male versus female growth-aspirations, employing a multilevel approach. It also integrates insights from the resource-based view (RBV) and from the relevant business literature on entrepreneurs’ gender to develop theoretical explanations

Ethnic pluralism, immigration and entrepreneurship

We consider the effects of immigration and ethnicity on entrepreneurship, distinguishing between the individual traits and the environmental characteristics. We look beyond the resource-opportunity framework and occupational choice: culture and values matter. Yet, instead of assigning the latter to specific ethnic features, we relate them to both immigration, and to the social environment defined by the share of immigrants, and by ethnic diversity. Empirical evidence we provide is based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor UK data, 2003-2013. Having more immigrants in the locality enhances entrepreneurship. With increase in ethnic diversity, the likelihood of being engaged in start-up activity decreases, then increases

The effect of gender and resources on entrepreneurial activity

In this paper, we examine the relationship between human capital, personal wealth and social capital to explain the differences in start-up rates between female and male entrepreneurs. Since our dependent variable is dichotomous, we examine the determinants of these using a maximum likelihood logit estimator. We used the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor database covering the period 2006 to 2009 with 421 usable cases drawn from the Lower Layer Super Output Areas in East Midlands in the United Kingdom. We found evidence that indicate that a female positively moderate the positive relationships between indicators of human capital and personal wealth with start-up activity. The findings have implications for programs, policies, and practices to encourage more females to engage in start-up activity