Research Proposal: Examining Success in Female Entrepreneurship

This research proposal investigates whether female entrepreneurs are more successful than their male counterparts. It addresses the problem of unequal opportunities for women in business due to male dominance and aims to highlight the capabilities and effectiveness of female entrepreneurship. The proposal includes a literature review comparing male and female entrepreneurial traits, such as women's strength in people management and risk identification versus men's technical backgrounds. It also examines factors driving women to start their own businesses and their impact on business performance, using examples and statistical data from various countries. The research methodology outlines a plan for data collection and analysis to answer key research questions about the success and motivational abilities of female entrepreneurs.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
[ARE FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS MORE
SUCCESSFUL THAN MALE ENTREPRENEURS]
1

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Title: Female Entrepreneurship, “Are females more successful than male”.........................3
Problem Statement......................................................................................................................3
1.2 Rationale...............................................................................................................................3
1.3 Research Questions...............................................................................................................4
Research Aim..............................................................................................................................4
1.4 Research Objectives..............................................................................................................4
Chapter 2 Literature Review ...............................................................................................................5
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................5
2.2 Comparison between male and female entrepreneurship......................................................5
2.3 Factors that drives that encourages females to establish their own business........................8
Chapter 3 Research Methodology .......................................................................................................9
3.1 Research paradigm................................................................................................................9
3.2 Research approach..............................................................................................................10
3.3 Data Collection method......................................................................................................10
3.4 Sampling method................................................................................................................10
3.5 Accessibility issues.............................................................................................................10
3.6 Ethical issues.......................................................................................................................10
3.7 Data analysis plan...............................................................................................................10
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................11
2

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Research proposal is the brief discussion of the research study which specifies the problem
statement and on that basis; the entire study will be conducted (Du Rietz and Henrekson, 2000). The
present research proposal has been made with an attempt to compare female entrepreneurship with
the male entrepreneurship. The main aim of this particular study is to define actual comparison
between male and female entrepreneurship. The study will be analyzing all those factors that
encourage females to establish their own business in the contemporary competitive scenario.
1.1 Title: Female Entrepreneurship, “Are females more successful than male”
Problem Statement
The main issue in the present case is to identify that, are female entrepreneurship is more
successful than male entrepreneurship. Hence, to conduct the study, researcher will be emphasizing
on comparison between male and female entrepreneurship and along with that discussion has been
made regarding different ways through which both the entrepreneurs manages their business entities
(Anna and eta.l., 2000). Though females have the capability to run the business successfully;
however then also they are not getting proper platform to showcase their capability in business
management. Due to male dominance, females are getting fewer opportunities and thus this issue
will be highlighted in the present research study. Awareness will be generated regarding efficiency
of female entrepreneurship in the present research study.
1.2 Rationale
Why is it an issue?
Women are more focused than males and they are also able to manage things in an adequate
manner, because of this management ability, they operate the business in a successful way. The
present research study has been highlighting capability and effectiveness of female entrepreneurs;
thus several studies have been accessed as per the research topic. In contemporary scenario, females
are getting various opportunities in terms of developing their careers, hence in such respect the
study has been focusing on successful aspects under female entrepreneurship.
Is it an issue now?
As compared to male entrepreneurship, females should also be given equal opportunities so
that they can show their potential and caliber in terms of managing a business entity. There should
be proper distribution of appreciation for both male and female entrepreneurs because this can give
equal opportunities to both of them (Buttner, 2001). From several research studies it has been
observed that due to male dominance, women are given less importance in business management.
Therefore the study will be highlighting all opportunities through which females can establish their
3

own business entity.
What could this research shed light on?
The research study will shed light on potential and capabilities of women entrepreneurship
and along with that it will also discuss the future opportunities available for women entrepreneurs.
Further, along with this discussion, researcher will also highlight how male dominance reduces
growth opportunities for female entrepreneurs. Several reasons will be discussed in the research
study which encourages women to develop their career in the competitive business world.
1.3 Research Questions
 Are female entrepreneurs more successful than male entrepreneurs?
 Are female entrepreneurs able to motivate and encourage the employees effectively as
compared to male entrepreneurs?
Research Aim
Aim of the research is to justify that are female entrepreneurs more successful than male
entrepreneurs.
1.4 Research Objectives
 To identify the reasons why females entrepreneurs are better than male entrepreneurs
 To explore the main drives that encourages females to establish their own business
 To evaluate the impact of female entrepreneurship on the business performance
4

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
Entrepreneurship can be defined as the readiness of an individual to take risk and to start a
new business to acquire profits. In such respect, male and females both are entering into
entrepreneurship and both are indulged in different practices. The increase in number of female
entrepreneurs in UK and USA has been equal by increase in academic research related to their
activities. There are various published research studies that focuses on efficiency of female
entrepreneurship (Kuada, 2012). At the time of business start up, women tend to face several
problems because of financial and other aspects; however this issue is not witnessed in the case of
male entrepreneurship. In terms of comparison, male and female both are operating their business
entities with diverse skills and facets. It is an apparent fact that male and female both have to
emphasize on varied attributes for operating their business entity in an effectual manner.
2.2 Comparison between male and female entrepreneurship
In terms of comparison, there are various factors which categorize male and female
entrepreneurship and the major one is the level of efficiency which is possessed by both the gender.
It has been observed that females are more competent in managing the business entity in an
effectual manner as they have the capability to deal with people mutually (Langowitz and Minniti,
2007). On the other hand, men have the potential to maintain more discipline in the organization.
Female entrepreneurs are more patient, hence they wait for the right time and after that they
implement things into action. Female entrepreneurs have more convincing power; therefore they
manage each and every aspect of business in a proper way. However, male entrepreneurs have
technical backgrounds. In terms of successful female entrepreneurship, one of the major examples
is Beth Comstock CEO of GE Business Innovations who oversaw the foundations like Theranos
and Hulu. She operates GE business innovations that consist of GE lighting, Current, GE Ventures
& Licensing and GE Sales, marketing and communications (Olsen, 2011).
Another populous example of successful entrepreneurship is Melinda Gates who is Co-Chair
of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. However, she focuses heavily on philanthropy and the
reproductive health of women in developing countries. Hence, from these examples, successful
results of women entrepreneurship can be defined. Moreover, these examples also denote that
women should be provided with equal opportunities to build their career as a sole owner (Robb,
2002). Through this, their potential level can be depicted on the other industry players who work in
the same sector. Olivia Liv Ruth Garfield is the chief executive of Openreach, BT Group who also
spent a year working at British Consulate in Brussels. She also worked at Accenture as a consultant
in their communications and high-tech market division for six years.
5

The study done by Robb (2002) states that men had more business experience prior to
opening business and higher expectations; however women entrepreneurs have a large vision in
household management. Contradicting the views of both the authors, Mastropieri (2006) said that
men and women both have different educational background and both are capable from different
point of view. Further, comparing efficacy of both male and female entrepreneurship, it can be said
that male entrepreneurs are more likely to found technologically intensive businessmen who can
lose their competitive advantage more quickly. They are also considered as those owners who have
a less geographically localized customer base (Scruggs and Mastropieri, 2006). Since, female
entrepreneurs are more expert in identifying risk aspects therefore they have more power to deal
with business risks and uncertainties.
In terms of level, there are approximately 228,000 self employed females of whom 204,000
had no employees and in relation to total employment, self employed females comprises 8 percent
of total employment in Trinidad and Tobago. While on the other hand, countries like Caribbean are
not experiencing high economic growth and along with this, number of women entrepreneurship is
significantly lower than men entrepreneurs (ENTREPRENEURSHIP – THE DRIVER FOR
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, 2014). Enterprise Surveys includes
basic difference between male and female entrepreneurship where in it is mentioned that due to
sector of operations, female entrepreneurs are changing the way of managing business entities.
6

The above graph shows that women in Caribbean have entered in all the different sectors;
thus it accounts 59% of businesses with some female ownership, 66% of female proprietors and
only 45% of wholly male owned businesses. In such context, figure 1 is showing that women
entrepreneurs in Latin America and Caribbean highly prefer to operate the business without
employees (Katherine and Browne, 2001). Most of them run consumer oriented businesses and they
rarely sell outside of their national borders. Hence, the analysis indicated that fewer female entered
in self employment without acquiring assistance from employees. The main influencing factor is
socio-cultural factors which have implications in accessing finance from diverse sources.
The above table has been showing female participation in varied countries. While the global
7

average is 57%, the Latin American and Caribbean average is 62%. The breakdown of gender
ownership has been mentioned in the above table and it also demonstrates the extensive gender
variation across the region in relation to competing with the informal sector. The largest difference
has been seen in Barbados and Guyana while this shows that males have been competing in the
informal sector with a greater extent in Trinidad and Tobago. In general terms, the informal sector
constraints overall economic performance; however the link between the law and gender equality is
integral (The Dynamics of Women Entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago- Motivations, Challenges
and Recommendations to Support their Entrepreneurial Development, 2015). Moreover, the report
also demonstrates that borrowers who build and maintain good credit histories are rewarded with
enhanced reputation collateral and this also gives them the ability to qualify for larger loans with
lower interest rates. The reports made on Trinidad and Tobago shows that women engaged in
production or trade sector experience many difficulties in acquiring financial assistance from the
respective institutes. In the year 2013, women have accounted an average of 43% where in they
have started their business as a new entity (Caribbean women entrepreneurs: Smashing down walls
to get to the top, 2013).
However, in the last few decades, women in the Caribbean have made impressive steps in
almost all the sectors. The country has a specific Entrepreneurship Program for Innovation in the
Caribbean to support the entrepreneurs who scales their business across diverse regions. As a part of
this program, Women Innovators Network in the Caribbean has been set up for the purpose of
assisting female entrepreneurs to grow more and get success in competitive scenario (Caribbean
women entrepreneurs: Smashing down walls to get to the top, 2013).
2.3 Factors that drives that encourages females to establish their own business
Though starting up of a business is highly risky as there are several factors that drives male
and female both to build their career as a business owner. Similarly, women have been entering into
business so as to show people that they also deserve to be a part of competitive business world (Sen,
2010). According to the survey of Canada's Labor Workforce 2003, females are considered as more
passionate about their work and this is the only reason they give their best in work management.
Similarly, women also face several issues which men generally face; but instead of that they
manage business situations with maximum potential. Female owners of both established and new
businesses in Trinidad are much less likely than men in the case of appointing employees due to
lower job growth aspirations (Robb, 2002). The number of female business owners in Trinidad and
Tobago continues to augment on consistent basis; however the gender gap in this process is showed
when women start to operate their business as a single entity.
8

The GEM (2010) Report states that women are much more likely to be driven by necessity
than men at the time when they start a business. Hence, women also have several reasons to start
their own business such as necessity based reasons, push out factors and need for supplemental
income. In such respect, Minniti (2007) stated that the main reason for which women decides to
start their own businesses is to align with their values, to generate excitement, to develop their
leadership skills, to provide avenues for self-advancement and to accomplish the goals of
independence (The Dynamics of Women Entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago- Motivations,
Challenges and Recommendations to Support their Entrepreneurial Development. 2015). However,
according to the research of The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Trinidad and Tobago National
Report (2012), women were considered as less active than men in entrepreneurial behavior.
However, over the past two decades, women in Trinidad and Tobago have become highly involved
in starting their own businesses (Langowitz and Minniti, 2007).
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology is one of the vital requirements in the research study where in
researcher uses several tools and techniques for the purpose of reaching towards aims and
objectives. In order to prepare subsequent study, researcher will be emphasizing on diverse
techniques which are mentioned in the below section.
3.1 Research paradigm
Epistemology paradigm constitutes acceptable knowledge in a particular field of study.
Researcher can acquire wide range of knowledge about the subject matter and major focus is given
to philosophical analysis. Further, it also aids in analyzing concepts such as truth, beliefs and
justification.
Ontology is concerned with nature of reality and it also aids in defining differences between
the variables that are included in the research study. It is highly useful in terms of solving research
problems.
Axiology is concerned with judgments which gives knowledge about value. It is a branch of
philosophy that includes value which is posses in the field of aesthetics and ethics in the research
study. It is also called as the process of social inquiry.
The present research study will be focusing on Interpretivism research philosophy because it
assumes that researcher can access to reality (Buttner, 2001). It is also associated with the
philosophical position of idealism and is used to group together for diverse approaches.
Interpretivism philosophy is usually based on critique of positivism in social science.
9

3.2 Research approach
The present research study will be using inductive research approach because that starts with
observation. Researcher would also be able to develop empirical generalizations and along with
this, researcher would also identify preliminary relationships throughout the concepts of research.
3.3 Data Collection method
In order to collect data for the present study, researcher will be emphasizing on primary and
secondary both the sources. Under primary sources, data will be collected through male and female
entrepreneurs of Trinidad, Tobago and Caribbean who work in different sectors and industries. On
the other hand, secondary source will also be used in the present study where in data will be
collected through online articles made on female entrepreneurship.
3.4 Sampling method
Sampling is the method through which sample size will be selected on the basis of specific
areas and countries. Hence, three major countries like (Trinidad, Tobago and Caribbean) will be
selected for the research study (Olsen, 2011). Sample size for the present research study will be 50
entrepreneurs both female and male.
3.5 Accessibility issues
For the purpose of conducting the study in accurate manner, researcher will be accessing to
different sources; however due to financial and time constraint, researcher may face such sorts of
issues. Researcher might experience issues related to unauthentic websites and irrelevant content
available on web pages.
3.6 Ethical issues
In terms of ethical aspects, it is vital for researcher to conduct the study in accurate manner
and for that only relevant and authentic study will be considered (Kuada, 2012). Further, identity of
respondents will not be disclosed in front of others for the purpose of data protection. At the same
time, data will be saved on authentic sources so that unauthorized person may not access it. Ethical
issues generally arise at the time when researcher fails to meet specific criteria of the researcher;
hence according to assessment criteria, the entire study will be completed.
3.7 Data analysis plan
Data will be analyzed on the basis of specific technique in which focus will be made on use
of Quantitative study where in charts and pictures will be used to make the study more presentable.
Quantitative technique will be used so as to showcase the data in accurate manner and this will also
assist in identifying valid conclusion for the research study.
10

REFERENCES
Anna, A.L., Chandler, G.N., Jansen, E. and Mero, N.P., 2000. Women business owners in
traditional and non-traditional industries. Journal of Business venturing. 15(3). pp.279-303.
Buttner, E.H., 2001. Examining female entrepreneurs' management style: An application of a
relational frame. Journal of Business Ethics. 29(3). pp.253-269.
Caribbean women entrepreneurs: Smashing down walls to get to the top. 2013. [Pdf]. Available
through: <http://www.gemcaribbean.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Trinidad-Entrep-Policy-
Brief-IDRC-June-23-2014.pdf>. [Accessed on 16th April 2016].
Du Rietz, A. and Henrekson, M., 2000. Testing the female underperformance hypothesis. Small
Business Economics. 14(1). pp.1-10.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP – THE DRIVER FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN TRINIDAD &
TOBAGO. 2014. [Pdf]. Available through:
<http://www.gemcaribbean.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Trinidad-Entrep-Policy-Brief-
IDRC-June-23-2014.pdf>. [Accessed on 16th April 2016].
Katherine E. Browne., 2001. Female Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean: A Multisite, Pilot
Investigation of Gender and Work. Human Organization. 60(4). pp. 326-342.
Kuada, J., 2012. Research Methodology: A Project Guide for University Students. Samfunds
literature.
Langowitz, N. and Minniti, M., 2007. The entrepreneurial propensity of women. Entrepreneurship
theory and practice. 31(3). pp.341-364.
Olsen, W., 2011. Data Collection: Key Debates and Methods in Social Research. SAGE.
Robb, A.M., 2002. Entrepreneurial performance by women and minorities: The case of new firms.
Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship. 7(4). p.383.
Scruggs, E. T. and Mastropieri, A. M., 2006. Applications of Research Methodology. Emerald
Group Publishing.
Sen, T., 2010. Brands – vulnerable entities in an uncertain world. Journal of Indian Business
Research. 2(4). pp.256-261.
The Dynamics of Women Entrepreneurs in Trinidad and Tobago- Motivations, Challenges and
Recommendations to Support their Entrepreneurial Development. 2015. [Pdf]. Available
through: <http://ijgws.com/journals/ijgws/Vol_3_No_1_June_2015/5.pdf>. [Accessed on 16th
April 2016].
11