Dreams and Reality: Role of Autonomy Support in Entrepreneurial activity of Women in Ethiopia

In some societies entrepreneurship is an uncommon career for women to aspire. The supportive features of their social and cultural contexts determine whether a woman experiences autonomy in starting and fostering her own... [ view full abstract ]

In some societies entrepreneurship is an uncommon career for women to aspire. The supportive features of their social and cultural contexts determine whether a woman experiences autonomy in starting and fostering her own business. This study aims to integrate, from a theoretical perspective, the influence of socio-cultural contexts on satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy as well as, competence and relatedness in entrepreneurial activity of women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. According to Self Determination Theory an autonomy-supportive socio-cultural context prompts or facilitates the satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Whereas, controlling socio-cultural context frustrates the satisfaction of those needs. Qualitative  analysis of interviews with nineteen women entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa (capital of Ethiopia)  revealed  that  women entrepreneurs experienced autonomy support and control in power relations - gender role, parent -child relationship, husband-wife relationship, and in religious affiliation.