Women’s entrepreneurship, barriers and culture: Insights from the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This article explores the interplay of gender, cultural factors, Islamic teachings and agency in explaining the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Adopting social constructionist and interpretative approaches, this article draws on indepth interviews with 20 women entrepreneurs in the UAE to explore the interplay between macro socio-cultural values using Hofstede’s (2001) typology of cultural values and the barriers faced during their entrepreneurial careers. The findings suggest a considerable sociocultural impact: one that starts with family support and extends to the huge spill-over effect on the business venture itself and on women’s access to capital and business networks. They also highlight the role that women’s agency, self-confidence and persistence are playing in fostering the appetite of local women for entrepreneurship and overcoming the toll of barriers. Overall, the findings suggest that the winds of change, although mild, are nevertheless blowing through the UAE and the Arab Middle East by extension. The significance of the impact of culture on women entrepreneurs in the UAE and Middle East should not be underestimated or ignored by policymakers seeking a better understanding of women’s entrepreneurship in the Arab world.