The role of passion in the pursuit of female entrepreneurship Experiences of Irish female entrepreneurs

The importance of female entrepreneurship for economic growth and social well-being has been well documented (De Vita, 2013). While the topic of female entrepreneurship was first acknowledged academically about 40 years ago... [ view full abstract ]

The importance of female entrepreneurship for economic growth and social well-being has been well documented (De Vita, 2013). While the topic of female entrepreneurship was first acknowledged academically about 40 years ago (Jennings & Brush, 2013), women are still disadvantaged because of their gender (Gupta, Turban, Wasti, Sikdar 2009). In comparison to their male counterparts, women led companies are smaller, less profitable and slower in growth (Gupta et al.,2009). Their motivations also differ. When classified as push and pull factors, the literature points to push factors motivating women more, as elements of necessity (Orhan and Scott 2001), and pull factors influencing men more. As mentioned by Orhan et al (2001), women still are working to break the ‘glass ceiling’ and are often encouraged to set up companies due to lack of recognition from their employers. Push and pull factors of female entrepreneurship are well documented throughout the literature (Stosic, Stefanovic and Predic, 2016, Schjoedt and Shaver 2007, Morris, Miyasaki, Watters, Coombes 2006). These are the main determinants of motivation for females who decide to pursue entrepreneurship (Apergis and Pekka-Economou, 2010), and effect these entrepreneurs in different ways. Push and pull factors of female entrepreneurship are well documented in the academic literature (Stosic, et al, 2016, Schjoedt and Shaver 2007, Morris et al.,2006).

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of the motivations of female entrepreneurs in their decisions regarding business ownership. The focus of female entrepreneurship literature tends to be on how women are pushed into entrepreneurship due to reasons such as family planning and inability to grow professionally within their current organisation (Thebaud, 2016) as opposed to positive motivations which pull females into entrepreneurship as a mode of employment. We are interested in exploring what entices females to set up their own businesses and ask the research question how are female entrepreneurs pulled into entrepreneurship?

This research adopts a qualitative interpretive approach (Fendt & Sachs, 2008) with in-depth interviews being the main source of data collection.  Using one of the authors’ personal contact network, five female Irish entrepreneurs were interviewed.  All participants were guaranteed anonymity.  Interviews were held in Dublin, Waterford and Cork with each one being recorded and transcribed verbatim by the researcher.  Interviews ranged from thirty to sixty minutes.  Information was gathered during the pre-interview stage and follow up emails and conversations formed part of the data collection process. As mentioned by Eisenhardt (1989) with less than four participant’s theory can be hard to collect, therefore 5 participants were selected to take part in this research. According to de Bruin et al. (2007), the majority of entrepreneurship research has been at the firm level but attention should be focused more on the entrepreneur themselves, which is where the interviews came in to play, and hence our decision to interview female entrepreneurs.

The main findings of this research indicate that passion is a key driver and motivator in the decision of the female entrepreneur to become a business owner. While participants also validated push and pull factors as per the academic literature on female entrepreneurship including autonomy and control, family and work-life balance, the role of passion in the pursuit of entrepreneurship is a significant gap in the literature.  While current literature on female entrepreneurs focuses on push factors which ‘force’ females into entrepreneurship, our findings demonstrate that passion and a desire for autonomy and control are pull factors for Irish female entrepreneurs.  While some academics claim  that push factors are the key drivers behind females’ choices to become entrepreneurs (Brockhaus 1980, Ufuk et al 2001), we found the pull factors to be more relevant to our sample of female entrepreneurs. Within the literature, there is very little mention of females setting up their businesses because they have an idea and are passionate about this idea. This is a significant gap that needs to be addressed. The findings of this paper clearly outline that passion for the business is a dominant motivation for female entrepreneurs in Ireland.

The findings of this study have significant implications for policy makers in terms of how female entrepreneurs are motivated and supported.  While work life balance is important to female entrepreneurs, their passion for business supersedes other motivations.  Recognising and supporting this passion as a driver for female entrepreneurship is necessary.

References

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