Analyzing Female Entrepreneurs in the UK Restaurant Industry

This report delves into the significant role and influence of female entrepreneurs within the UK restaurant industry. It begins with an introduction outlining the research problem, aim, objectives, and structure of the study, emphasizing the increasing presence of female entrepreneurs and the challenges they face, such as turnover rates and gender inequality. The literature review explores the impact of women entrepreneurs, current trends in the hospitality sector, motivational and hindering factors, and participation rates. The research methodology details the philosophical approach, design, and data collection methods. Findings and evaluations are presented, leading to conclusions and recommendations for increasing female participation and influence in the industry. The report highlights the importance of addressing issues like unequal pay and fostering a supportive work environment to promote female entrepreneurship in the UK restaurant sector.

The role and influence of Female Entrepreneurs in the
Restaurant Industry of the UK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................4
Introduction.................................................................................................................................4
Title.............................................................................................................................................4
Research problem........................................................................................................................4
Overview.....................................................................................................................................6
Problem Statement......................................................................................................................6
Aim of the research ....................................................................................................................6
Objectives of the research...........................................................................................................6
Structure of the research..............................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................................8
Overview.....................................................................................................................................8
Influence and role of the women entrepreneurs..........................................................................8
Current trends in hospitality sector and increasing growth of women entrepreneurs.................9
Hindering and motivational factors for women entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry.....9
Relationship between hospitality and women entrepreneurship...............................................11
Participation rate of females in entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry............................11
Contribution of female entrepreneurship in hospitality (stats).................................................12
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................13
Chapter 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.................................................................................15
Introduction...............................................................................................................................15
Research philosophy.................................................................................................................16
Research Approach...................................................................................................................16
Research design.........................................................................................................................17
Data collection and analysis......................................................................................................17
Sampling technique...................................................................................................................17
Ethical Considerations..............................................................................................................18
Limitation..................................................................................................................................18
Rationale...................................................................................................................................18
Chapter 4-RESULTS/FINDINGS.................................................................................................20

Analytical techniques................................................................................................................20
Chapter 5- EVALUATION OF RESULTS...................................................................................30
Chapter 6-CONCLUSIONS...........................................................................................................32
Chapter 7-RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................................................33
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................34

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The prospects of the individuals delving in the lines of opening the business in the food
industry has seen some assertions in the increase of the entrepreneurial ventures. The impact of
globalization has brought in diverse food cuisines in the palettes of the aspiring foodies. The
female incursions in the aspirations of conducting the restaurants businesses have seen increased
growth. Further, has mentioned that the employee turnover rate in the hospitality industry of UK
is being boosted because the employees get low salary and low benefits. According to the report
which was presented by World Tourism Organisation (Yang and Peng., 2018), in UK, the overall
number of workers has been increased. Moreover, the report has further stated that out of the
total number of workers, most are female entrepreneurs. It can also be said that in hospitality
industry equal respect is being paid to both male and female workers.
In this study the research aims, objectives and questions will be discussed along with the
problems that are being faced by the hospitality industry. This is an introduction section where
background of the study with the problem statement will be identified. With the help of these
Aim, objectives, research questions, rationale of the research will be explained in brief. At the
end of introduction chapter complete structure of the research will be explained.
Title
The title of the study is “Role of female entrepreneurs in the restaurants industry of UK”.
Research problem
One of the major improvement that has been seen in UK is in hospitality industry. This
industry has also helped in improving the economy of the country. An organization known as
world tourism presented a report which said that within 2025, hospitality sector of UK will be a
more than 250 million pounds industry. This report also said that this industry today has
successfully created more than 3 million today.
Further, they get less salary as compared to the work pressure. According to the survey
which was conducted with employees in this sector as respondents says that more than 45% of
employees think that this industry can benefit them in many ways however other 55% thinks that
this industry is not that efficient in-fact it lacks prosperity as in this industry complete
development of employees is never ever given a priority. (nrn.com, 2019).

In the view of Bryman (2016), Most of the women in this industry face many problems as many
of them are forced to resign from an organisation. This can be explained with the help of an
example, in 2017, if the turnover rate of male and female employees was compared then female
turnover rate was twice the turnover rate in males especially in UK. However it is always
neglected that more than 5% of CEO's in this industry are females as most of them are effective
managers as well as multitaskers who successfully manage their families as well, So according to
this it can be said that if number of women employees in hospitality sector were more than it
would have been benefited the companies in many ways but this perspective has always been
neglected. It is also seen that the main reason behind continuous increment of female employees
is harassment due to which most of the women leave their jobs another reason is that in many
organizations management do not try to improve the communication between female employees
and the company due to which working environment of the company is affected.
According to a survey that was conducted in 2015 year turnover rate of women in this
industry was calculated more than 72% which was much more compared to 2014 year where the
turnover rate of women was approximately 66%. So, this clearly explains that turnover rate of
female employees in this industry is much more than male employees. Thus, it is suggested that
organisations in this sector will be needing to adapt certain ways such that female employees are
motivated to work instead of resigning.
According to states labour report, women turnover rate among women in last five years is
increasing continuously. Therefore, restaurants in this sector are trying to take initiatives such as
incentives, various kinds of leaves such as maternity leave, appraisals etc. which has helped
women in this sector to work with more dedication. Despite of this effort turnover rate is
increasing because salaries given to women is less compared to male employees atleast by 10%.
This research will help in answering all the primary and subsidiary questions of the research
which will eventually help in fulfilling all the research objective effectively.
Primary research question:
 What is the role and influence of female entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry of the
UK?
Subsidiary research questions:
 What is the female participation rate in entrepreneurship in the hospitality sector of UK?

 What are the current trends in the hospitality sector of the UK market economy regarding
the participation of female entrepreneurs?
 What are the factors that motivate or hinder female entrepreneurship in the restaurant
industry of the UK?
 What Key factors determine the influence of female entrepreneurs in the restaurant
business of the UK market Economy?
 What changes could be implemented in the hospitality sector of the UK to increase the
female participation rate in entrepreneurship in the UK market economy?
Overview
In food industry it has continuously been seen that there is an increase in entrepreneurial
ventures. Today due to globalization various types of food can be served to customers. This has
lead to increase in number of entrepreneurs in this sector especially female entrepreneurs.
Further it has also been seen that turnover rate among female employees in this sector is much
higher than men which has given rise to female Entrepreneurs. Due to this it is seen that female
employees should be paid equally compared to men.
Problem Statement
Hospitality Sector in UK is growing largely and is benefiting the economy of the country.
But according to a survey turnover rate in female employees is much more compared to men in
this industry and the main reason behind it was that women gets 10% less salary as compared to
men.
Aim of the research
Aim of this research is to analyse the role of female entrepreneurs in the restaurant
industry of UK.
The overall success of the ventures would be delivering on the facets of attributes that
demonstrates leadership and help the research project outcomes of understanding the influences
of women participation in the hotel industry.
Entrepreneurial Task
These are the attributes that alleviate the roles of the exploiting the opportunities in the restaurant
industry and would help the research objectives of motivational factors for female entrepreneurs.
Objectives of the research
The main research objectives are:

 To identify the female participation rate in entrepreneurship in the hospitality sector of
the UK.
 To observe the current trends in female entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry of the
UK.
 To identify the factors that motivate and hinder female entrepreneurs in the restaurant
business of the UK.
 To understand the driving factors that can enhance the influence of female entrepreneurs
in the restaurant business of the UK.
 To provide recommendations that would increase the female participation rate in the
hospitality sector of the UK market economy.
Structure of the research
Structure of the research paper has seven chapters and each chapter has sub parts as well.
Complete structure of the research paper is as follows:
1. Chapter 1: Introduction
2. Chapter 2: literature Review
3. Chapter 3: Research methodology
4. Chapter 4: Data collection and findings
5. Chapter 5: Data Analysis and evolution of findings
6. Chapter 6: Conclusions
7. Chapter 7: Recommendations

Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Overview
According to Leitch, Welter and Henry, (2018), The number of female entrepreneurs in
restaurant industry in UK has been continuously been growing. The main reason behind this is
gender inequality that has been faced by many men and women especially in this food industry
since past century. Many studies had been carried out in the past in order to study the
participation and role of females in hospitality sector especially in rising economy of UK. There
are various reasons that motivate women in hospitality sector to step up as entrepreneurs. Since,
ages women had been seen much lesser as compared to men. Whether it is in terms of salaries,
increment, promotions etc. they are always the second preference. These factors had worked as a
hindrance in growth of women in any industry and simultaneously it has worked as a motivation
factor for female entrepreneurs to sept up as rising entrepreneurs especially in hospitality
industry. Presence of female entrepreneurs in hospitality industry has supported aspiring women,
created more chances of women empowerment and has helped in decreasing gender biassness in
hospitality industry. In hospitality industry especially in restaurant sector rise of female
entrepreneurs has increased. Due to this country wide females are getting motivated as the
women entrepreneurs in this sector are increasing.
It is seen that the gender inequality in UK especially in restaurant industry is fading
continuously in this sector. Many research or studies has been done or carried out that proves
that the scope for women participants in hospitality industry is increasing which will also help in
increasing the overall economy of the UK.
Influence and role of the women entrepreneurs
As said by Leitch, Welter and Henry, (2018), Women entrepreneurs presence within
business globally is increasing year by year as the demand for development of egalitarian society
which has gender biasses at an extremely low level. As the women entrepreneurs are growing
and improving themselves especially in the UK market economy, patriarchal business
environment existence is being reduced. This growth and development of women entrepreneurs
has been a source of inspiration and motivation for all the aspiring females and has also created a
holistic business environment. As per the research which was done by Terjesen and Lloyd
(2015), There has been a drastic rise in women entrepreneurship in UK business environment.

UK economies legislative attribute has been restructured so that development of women in the
organizations can increase in context of business. As the number of women entrepreneurs are
increasing and are successful, it is motivating other women and has helped in increasing the
success rate of women in the society which provides them with motivation as well as improved
female opportunities in context of business(Westhead and Solesvik, 2016). Success stories of
women entrepreneurs has helped in motivating other females and has helped them to improve
their life performance in a better way.
Current trends in hospitality sector and increasing growth of women entrepreneurs
Things that prevent females from entering into a business is the cultural attribute and for
this Gender equality Act was made with proper legislative norms, it also helps in increasing
gender equality at workplace (Henry et al., 2017). This has also helped females to enter into the
business with better business opportunities for them. It has also helped women entrepreneurs to
run and compete in this competitive world and successfully run their business. Successful
business stories of many women entrepreneurs enable aspiring women so that they can develop
better business opportunities in order to become successful with their business in this
competitive world. In a research that was done by Esteban-Lloret and Rubio-Banon (2016),
There are many different cultural approaches in the business environment of UK Which has
become the first reason due to which women entrepreneurs in this industry have grown.
As per the view of Ferreira and et.al. (2017), female entrepreneurs in hospitality sector
has been beneficial for the growth of this industry because women understand others in a better
way as compared to males. It has also been seen that the customer satisfaction rate od women
entrepreneurs are much higher as compared to male entrepreneurs. Female employees understand
requirements and need of their customers in a better was due to which satisfaction rate of
customers is much higher than male employees.
Hindering and motivational factors for women entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry
There are many factors that facilitate women entrepreneurship and cultural aspects in
restaurant business of UK which has helped most of the women in focusing their carriers in
entrepreneurship. There has been a growth in participation rate of female employees because
number of female entrepreneurs are increasing (Langevang et al., 2015). This has also helped in
inspiring women so that they can continue their work in this industry with more dedication
(Henry et al., 2016). This has also helped in changing the mindset of others in this industry as

those women entrepreneurs have become an inspirational source for others, it has also been seen
that dependency on women in this industry is also increasing.
According to Poggesi and et.al. (2016), he has said that the growing rate of women
entrepreneurs and employees in restaurant industry of UK, Business studies has also been
enhanced as number of women centric studies in academic field has also increased. According to
a research female entrepreneurs managerial qualities are completely different from men
entrepreneur (Ratten, 2016). Due to this in restaurant business female employees performance is
such better then male employees and not only this due to this participation ratio of all the women
employees is continuously increasing. The research also shows that female employees working
under women entrepreneurs have high motivational ratio which is proven by the model of Jhon
Kao in his model of hierarchical needs of entrepreneurs. This model says that female employees
or entrepreneurs understand feminine requirements and needs in a better way in their business
requirements as compared to male entrepreneurs (Gregoratti et al., 2018).there was a study which
was conducted by Yang and Peng (2018), in which they have explained all the hindering factors
due to which participation rate of women employees is hindered. Not only this there are various
kinds of social and domestic reasons which says that these factors restrict participation of
females which impacts the success rate of women. These are the main drivers due to which
participation rate women employees is hindered.
Female employees success and growth rate is also hindered due to patriarchal disposition
in the restaurant industry business environment. There are many stories of female entrepreneurs
in which they have explained that due to all such type of hindrance they had proved and become
successful and has proved to provide benefit to all the females in the society by fighting against
all the patriarchal disposition norms within the restaurant industry (Ramadani et al., 2015). These
success stories of women proved that participation of women has always faced many hindrance
that prevent them from participating or working in any organization because UK market has still
not acknowledged the benefits of neo-liberal feminism due to which economy of the business
environment of UK can be enhanced and benefited.
Many studies have been done regarding restaurant industry business persons within UK
which provides excessive understanding of all the women entrepreneurs who have become
successful in this industry and are running business (Pérez-Pérez and Avilés-Hernández, 2016).
These success stories of business women have helped in decreasing the number of social and

domestic constrains that work as a hindrance in success of female employees and has also helped
in increasing the growth rate of women in business (Ribes-Giner et al., 2018).In fact nowadays
same social and economic factors support and allow females to work and compete with in this
competitive business environment.
Relationship between hospitality and women entrepreneurship
Scope and size of hospitality industry in UK is continuously growing and due to this
provision of services, facilities like food and beverages, accommodation etc. is also increasing.
Today it is the third largest sector in UK in terms of employment and growth. This industry has
one of the largest women employment today compared to other industries. However, they are
still paid less as compared to men employees in this sector but still has a great role in this sector.
Participation rate of females in entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry
As per the view of Thompson-Whiteside, Turnbull and Howe-Walsh, (2018),
Entrepreneurship is one of the most important factor that influence the economic development of
the society. Entrepreneurs basically try to discover new source of using new technologies in the
existing market in order to form an effective organization. They have a huge role in influencing
the market economy. Since ages most of the entrepreneurs in most of the sectors were men, but
today there has been a growth of female entrepreneurs in many sectors especially in hospitality
sector. Participation of females in entrepreneurship in hospitality industry has increased a lot.
Many females have tried to break their traditional roles and stepped up in economic process of
development and has successfully improved their economic status. This increased rate of female
participation in entrepreneurship has increased the participation rate in women and created a new
way of women empowerment in this industry. Many women have tried to use their knowledge,
skills, talent for controlling and managing the business. This increasing number of women
entrepreneurs has helped in improvement in economic growth, achieve profitable and non
profitable growth and has affected this industry positively.
In the opinion of Allen and Truman, (2016), Female entrepreneurs has remarkably shaped
this industry in terms of economic development. According to a survey there are more than 30%
of organizations in hospitality industry who's owners are women and is run by them. Women
entrepreneurs has helped in provision of various profits to this industry such as:
Reinvestment: It has been observed that Women entrepreneurs reinvest more than 90% of their
income on human resources and has shown women power in this sector.

Job Creation: This has helped in creation of more number of jobs in hospitality industry.
Innovation: They have successfully offered various types of innovation in provision of services
or products to this industry. Especially in Europe females have shown remarkable achievement
as compared to male entrepreneurs. In Europe UK is the number one country which has the
highest number of female entrepreneurs and in world UK is on number second in terms of female
entrepreneurs.
Contribution of female entrepreneurship in hospitality (stats)
As said by Jones, (2015), Contribution of females professionals and entrepreneurs in
hospitality sector has increased a lot in this rapidly evolving hospitality industry. As compared to
men women has always been multitaskers and they have shown their effect in this industry as
well. There are many female entrepreneurs who gave up their job and started their own business
in this sector and today run a successful business. According to a survey more than one third of
firms in the world has female owners.
From the above graph it is clear that almost one third of the population in entrepreneurs
are women.
Today women entrepreneurs are defined as new growth and economies engines that
contribute in well being and prosperity of the country. They have also helped in economic
development and growth of the hospitality sector. They have also broken a stereotype that men
and women have different potential in terms of self-employment or running business. In fact
Illustr
ation 1: Women entrepreneur vs men entrepreneur