Female Entrepreneurship And Economic Growth: An Institutional Theory Analysis

Abstract

Women are untapped resources for economic growth. Female entrepreneurs, like their male counterparts, can boast the economic growth of a country. Women owned business creates jobs which results in poverty alleviation and eradication of unemployment. Similarly, women entrepreneurs add diversity to the entrepreneurial mix of a country. Female entrepreneurs intensify competition through creativity and innovation. However, the institutional profile and overall business environment of any country have significant role in women business start-ups. This study attempts to provide a plausible account on how women entrepreneurs increase economic development of a country. It is proposed that women entrepreneurs enhance the national competitiveness level which leads to rapid economic growth. Moreover, the relationship between female entrepreneurship and national competiveness level is moderated by overall business environment of the country. To test this framework, data was collected from different sources. The results of regression analysis support the research hypotheses.