Background: Sustainability has become one of the main factors driving business innovation and resulted in a green transition, which has slowed down in recent years, and to accelerate the green transition again, major barriers need to be removed. The gender imbalance in sustainable entrepreneurship could be a barrier to the acceleration of the green transition since women entrepreneurs showcase what the green transition represents, yet there are fewer women in entrepreneurship compared to men. Despite there being fewer women in entrepreneurship, several studies have found that women are more inclined toward sustainability, compared to men, when it comes to the practices of sustainable entrepreneurship. However, no studies state how or why this is.  Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is therefore to bridge that knowledge gap by investigating the potential ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind women's entrepreneurial sustainability. Moreover, the purpose of the findings is to create a new theory that offers new insights and a unique understanding regarding women's entrepreneurial sustainability implementation and motivation.   Research Question: How do women entrepreneurs incorporate sustainable business practices and why are they motivated to do so?  Method:  A inductive qualitative single case study on eleven women entrepreneurs. The data collection was through semi-structured interviews. Followed by a Gioia’s grounded theory analysis to create a theoretical model to answer the research question.  Conclusion: Women entrepreneurs are motivated through various intrinsic and extrinsic motivations where they use their decision authority as the approach to implementing their sustainable business practices.

Less than 1% of minority women receive venture capital funding for technology enterprises. The purpose of the multiple case study was to explore the strategies used by Black female entrepreneurs to obtain venture capital funding for their technology businesses in the United States. The conceptual framework for the study was the social network theory of entrepreneurship. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 5 Black female entrepreneurs who founded technology ventures in the United States. Journaling before and after each interview aided the methodological triangulation, which ensured validation. Yin's data analysis process was used, and the data were reviewed, codes determined, emerging themes noted, and iterative explanation building undertaken. The main themes emerging from the analysis of the data were the participation in pitch competitions, the importance of networks, and communication. The findings may contribute to social change because other minority female, technology entrepreneurs can use the strategies of the participants as a model in their quest to receive venture capital funding. An increase in the number of minority women who receive venture capital funding and engage in high-growth entrepreneurship may result in an improved standard of living for the women and their families. Society could also benefit from a more diverse pool of technological innovations.

Women-owned businesses continue to drive economic growth in the United States. However, some African American businesswomen lack strategies to obtain capital to start their business. Strategies to obtain funds for a startup is vital to African American women seeking to start and sustain their businesses. Guided by entrepreneurial theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies African American women use to secure financial capital to start new businesses. The participants included 6 African American women business owners in Atlanta, Georgia, with successful experience in utilizing strategies to secure financial capital to start new businesses. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company documents. Yin's 5-step analysis was used to analyze the data. The main themes were challenges of being an African American business woman, motivating factors leading to business ownership, and overcoming bank financing challenges. The implications for positive social change may include addressing the disparity of social, human, and financial capital to start new businesses among African American women.

The present study aims to identify the association between gender and three different aspects: performance, pull-push factors, and nonprofit-for-profit sectors. In order to respond to the research questions, a quantitative approach was applied. Secondary data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2016 was collected as it includes self-reported information of established business owners from the UK. The results provided by the cross tabulation analysis executed by the SPSS, show a deeper and quantitative understanding regarding the associations between gender and the three aspects. Findings demonstrated that gender only had a significant association with the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. The other aspects clearly showed that they did not have any association with gender. Also, this study discusses the unequal number of female and male entrepreneurs shown in each of the aspects in order to provide acknowledge about the current situation in the UK. It is recommended that future research collects a higher number of variables or responses, preferably primary data that includes more information about the aspirations and preferences of the individuals and combines quantitative with qualitative methods. In conclusion, the gender of entrepreneurs should not be considered to be a break-dealer factor.

In Kenya, a 2013 presidential directive reserved 30% of government procurement opportunities for enterprises owned by women, youth, and persons with disabilities to promote economic empowerment; however, as of 2016, female entrepreneurs continued to be outpaced by their male counterparts. The lack of policy evaluation from the female entrepreneur perspective limits the ability to assess progress and identify obstacles. Through purposeful sampling and semistructured interviews, this qualitative phenomenological study obtained the perceptions of the implementation and impact of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) on economic empowerment from the perspective of 20 female entrepreneurs in Kenya previously awarded procurement contracts. Responses were coded and analyzed thematically using Moustakas's modified van Kaam method in the context of the policy feedback theory and empowerment. Five themes emerged from the female entrepreneurs' experiences: (a) enhanced economic empowerment; (b)improved potential to earn new government contracts motivated enrollment in the AGPO; (c) access to business development services enhanced competitiveness to obtain government tenders; (d) negative financial impact due to government-delayed payments for goods and services; and (e) success impeded by procurement officers' incompetence, corruption and harassment. Social change may be promoted through the economic empowerment of women being maximized with stronger implementation and regulation of this affirmative policy primarily through a streamlined application process, prompt payments for services rendered, flexible funding, and regulated competent and ethical procurement practices.

abstract: This dissertation focused on the links among micro-enterprise development (MD), social capital building, and the accompanying social lives of Chinese female entrepreneurs in two China's urban areas—Nanjing and Haikou. It engaged with a few important discussions concerning China’s liberal politics during the reform era, the global trend of neo-liberal capitalism, and the social construction of a new worker-subject—the Chinese urban female entrepreneur shaped by the hybrid marriage of state politics and global capital. The research findings from this research project contributed to the tradition of feminist theories, which endeavors to explore the relationship between neo-liberalism and gender. In particular, gender was found to concretize the ways in which neo-liberal ideological forces have attempted to capture and exploit the productivity of women’s labor Drawing upon the data from in-depth interviews, participatory observations, and secondary data gathering, I examined the diffusion of the Western-centric concept and phenomena of social capital building in order to answer the question how Chinese women's life was inscribed in the larger context of China's relationship to global capitalism. My research findings manifested that the respondents considered affections (e.g., inter-dependence, obligation, and mutual trust) to be the foundation of establishing and maintaining their social networks regardless of the government's emphasis on market principles and the utility-based social capital conception. This opened up a new way of re-theorizing social capital. This dissertation also focused on how China’s integration with the global economy has affected women’s social identity construction. It emphasized the interaction between gender and class as one of the most salient sites where ideal citizens of China are imagined. Drawing from the perspectives of the respondents, I found that femininity has never been eliminated by the Chinese government. It has existed in China’s MD to challenge the government’s attempt of promoting the agendered (gender-neutral), universal model of women’s participation in self-employment. Moreover, I asserted that class was individualized while penetrating into other dimensions of identity (especially gender). The transformed dimensions of identity constituted a set of stratification schemes that constantly reshuffled social stratifications for maximizing the state’s profits from the control of citizens. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Justice Studies 2015

Research indicates a variety of factors may inhibit the award of federal contracts to women-owned small businesses; however, a dearth of research exists on the topic from the perspectives of women who own small businesses. The purpose of this case study was to identify the capabilities needed by female small business owners in Atlanta, Georgia to win federal contracts. The framework was based on the theory of representative bureaucracy and the effects of gender differences on individuals' entrepreneurial perceptions. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with 6 women who owned small businesses and competed for federal contracts. Results of the thematic data analysis revealed 3 overarching themes: intrinsic factors, extrinsic factors, and contract procurement experiences. Each of these themes reflected qualities fundamental to participants' successful procurement of federal contracts. Significant intrinsic characteristics included adaptability, work ethic, and networking skills. Stakeholders may use study results to foster positive social change by providing women with resources they need to compete for federal contracts. Female entrepreneurs could improve communities by using strategies from this research to reduce unemployment and increase income for themselves and their employees. Social implications include the development of additional training programs to teach women how to complete contract applications, which may increase their participation in federal contract procurement and positively contribute to the economy.

Abstract Introduction: This study examined the lived experiences of Female Entrepreneurs in Lagos State, Nigeria, who transitioned from traditional corporate employment settings to venture into uncharted entrepreneurial territory. In their transition from employee to entrepreneur, this study identified the existence of glass ceiling in both phases. Considering the perception of a woman’s identity in the Nigerian patriarchal system, practical attention and analysis have not been given to their experiences as employees and entrepreneurs. Seven (7) Nigerian Female Entrepreneurs with established businesses in Lagos, Nigeria, participated in this study. Method: A qualitative research method that builds upon the philosophy of social constructivism was used to decipher the transition. Storytelling theory assisted the interviewees in expressing themselves freely and facilitated this research. Also, Schlossberg's Transition Theory was the foundational theoretical framework for this study. Result: The result of the study identified the inherent glass ceiling in their transition. Some peculiarities of the glass ceiling within Nigerian context include financing barriers, gender discrimination, a good support system, and limited female mentors. This was framed as the “second glass ceiling”. They discussed their coping mechanisms to overcome challenges and build successful businesses during transition. Conclusion: The conclusion demonstrates helpful modifications that can aid groups, organizations, academic institutions, and policymakers understand Nigerian women’s situation in corporate and business domains. Such understanding could promote equality of opportunity within society and organizations, eliminate entrepreneurship barriers, and aid their long-term retention of corporate or entrepreneurial engagement. In the long run, this will benefit the Nigerian economy, corporate organizations, female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, and their communities.

本研究以女性經驗的書寫為基本目的，即試圖為一向未受應有重視的女老闆們紀錄下她們的創業過程與生命、心路歷程，並從中分析她們因身為女性而面臨的種種父權阻力、結構與制度上的障礙、以及從中發現她們所具有的「女企業家精神」，最後並企圖探察她們的「女性意識」是否不足，及提出對國家制度與對女老闆和婦運合作的建議。 本研究以十七位女老闆為研究對象，運用質性研究、深度訪談的研究方法進行。研究的基本立場有二，其一是鼓勵女性創業，因為女性創業能使一向經濟弱勢、在職場中又處於不利地位的女性，擁有經濟主權、並免於被雇主剝削；但第二立場是不盲目鼓勵女性的創業，因為女性創業環境中仍存在許多父權、結構性的障礙，在本論文中即企圖揭露這些障礙，以其中的權力分析為工具，喚起想創業、創業中及創業成功的女性，共同以集體力量來破除障礙。 總之，本論文是以女性觀點出發，希望破除一般人對女老闆不具「企業家精神」的迷思，重新評估女老闆們的貢獻與成就，並將「女性商場文化」予以建立及推廣。 目 錄 第一章 緒 論 1 第一節 研究緣起與目的 1 第二節 問題意識與論文架構 4 第三節 文獻回顧 7 一、名詞界定 7 二、女性創業的研究 9 三、英、美有關的文獻 10 四、台灣有關女性創業的文獻 17 第四節 研究方法 19 一、女性主義研究視角 20 二、女性創業家研究方法的探討 22 三、研究設計 24 四、研究者的反思與研究限制 25 第二章 從小女孩到大老闆 30 第一節 基本資料 30 一、年輕的女老闆 32 二、長女的宿命與優勢 33 三、沒有「學以致用」的學歷 35 第二節 成長背景 37 一、家庭中的性別社會化 37 二、企業家父母親的「角色模範」 42 三、求學歷程中的性別思考 44 第三節 創業前的經歷 45 一、脫離父權家庭的開始 45 二、創業前的摸索 47 三、創業前的工作經驗 49 第四節 創業動機 50 一、時勢造「英雌」 54 二、玻璃天花板的限制 56 三、母職以外的天空 59 四、為了減輕原生家庭的經濟負擔 60 五、實現自我的抱負 62 六、繼承的產業 64 第五節 創業類型及歷程簡介 66 一、獨自經營 66 二、夫妻合夥共同經營 70 第三章 父權阻力，無所不在 72 第一節 打入男性商場 74 一、在男性的監視下 74 二、建立可信度 74 三、身體的社會化 77 第二節 男性商場文化 80 一、男性的網絡排除女性的加入 80 二、應酬文化 82 三、女企業家對應酬文化的因應之道 84 第三節 女老闆的婚姻 90 一、不平衡的另一半 91 二、成功的女人背後一定有個扯後腿的男人？！ 92 三、辛苦維持婚姻 97 四、十年抗戰 99 第四節 家務照顧責任的牽絆 100 一、甘願蠟燭兩頭燒 100 二、丈夫的雙重要求 103 三、母職的實踐 105 第五節 事業的代價？ 108 一、事業太忙，沒有時間 110 二、成就太高，沒有「匹配」的對象 111 三、結不結婚無所謂，自己快樂最重要 113 四、還是希望有人來分憂解勞 115 第六節 女性管理的問題 116 一、婦人之仁？ 116 二、「嘸咧甲妳信道」的男下屬 118 三、解決之道 119 第四章 國家與女頭家 122 第一節 創業資金何處籌 122 一、女性缺乏資金 122 二、青輔會創業貸款不利於女性申請之處 123 第二節 信用貸款的取得困難 130 一、銀行不愛跟女性打交道 130 二、與銀行融資受挫的實例 132 第三節 美國政府對女性企業家取得信用貸款、市場及企業擴展的推動 134 一、統籌的單位 135 二、WBE╱MBE法案 136 三、SBA對女性的貸款協助 137 四、銀行與民間社團的合作 138 第四節 諮詢與訓練的提供 139 一、女性對顧問、模範的需求 139 二、美國的相關機構與計劃 141 三、明水育成中心 142 第五節 國家與女頭家的關係 147 第五章 發現女企業家精神 150 第一節 尋求女性觀點的企業家 151 第二節 她們的開創性 154 第三節 「九命怪貓」的毅力 158 第四節 體貼客戶的需求 163 第五節 對員工的照顧 167 一、不重蹈舊老闆的覆轍 169 二、栽培與授權 173 第六節 社會性目標的重視 176 一、重視品質與信譽 176 二、不躁進追求利潤與擴張 178 三、重視公益、回饋社會 179 第七節 對自己專屬事業的價值觀 181 第八節 女性商場文化的建立與推廣 182 第六章 尋找女性意識 185 第一節 女性意識的意義與內涵 185 第二節 女性意識的啟蒙經驗 187 一、國外求學的特殊經歷 187 二、生命重大事件的衝擊 188 第三節 女性意識不足？ 194 一、不談性別問題 194 二、身為女性的「利多」？ 196 三、女性不愛拔擢女同胞？ 198 四、女性缺乏network 203 第四節 女性意識不足的原因 208 一、個人歸因的迷思 209 二、地位的盲點 210 第五節 女人連線力量大──給女企業家的建議 212 第七章 結 論 216 第一節 研究發現與摘要 218 第二節 研究建議 226 一、對政府的建議 222 二、對女性企業家們與婦運策略的建議 226 第三節 後續研究建議 229 附 錄 附錄1 全球女性企業家相關圖表 231 附錄2 女性企業家文獻分類表 238 附錄3 青年創業輔導貸款申請須知 239 附錄4 行政院青年輔導委員會輔導青年創業要點 244 附錄5 青年創業輔導項目 249 附錄6 青年創業資金核貨及獲貨一覽表 250 附錄7 刻板的性別角色描述語 251 附錄8 訪談題綱 252 附錄9 論文訪談對象基本資料整理表 253 參考文獻 一、中文部分 254 二、英文部分 259 三、網路部分 270

För att ett kreditinstitut ska låna ut pengar, måste de först göra en kreditbedömning. Väl där granskas finansiell information, återbetalningsförmåga samt även personen bakom företaget och dess egenskaper. Trots att bankbelåning är det vanligaste sättet att finansiera sin verksamhet för många små företag, visar flera studier att kvinnoledda företag har svårare att få lån jämfört med manliga entreprenörer. Syftet med denna uppsats är att få en ökad förståelse samt redogöra för vilka diskurser som råder bland kreditbedömare vad gäller betydelsen/rollen som personliga egenskaper har hos manliga och kvinnliga entreprenörer. I denna studie har en abduktiv ansats använts, som är en blandning av den deduktiva och induktiva forskningsansatsen. Studiens resultat kommer fram till att diskurserna som hittades är att en del av respondenterna anser att egenskaper är viktiga, medan en annan del anser att egenskaper är viktiga, dock inte avgörande. Vidare visar resultat att respondenterna anser att uppdelningarna mellan manliga och kvinnliga entreprenörer inte existerar och är olämpliga. Slutligen visar studien att en entreprenör är en person oavsett kön, som innehar entreprenöriella egenskaper. / In order for a credit institution to lend money, they must first do a credit assessment. Once there, financial information, ability to repay and also the person behind the company and its owners characteristics are reviewed. Despite the fact that bank loans are the most common way to finance their business for many small businesses, several studies show that women-led businesses have more difficulty getting loans compared to male entrepreneurs. The purpose of this essay is to investigate what discourses there are among the bank assessors when it comes to the meaning/role of the characteristics of male and female entrepreneurs on credit assessment. In this study, an abductive approach has been used, which is a mixture of the deductive and inductive research approach. The results of the study conclude that the discourses that were found are that one part of the respondents means that characteristics are important, while the other thinks it's important but not decisive. Further the results show that the respondents think that the dividing of male and female entrepreneurs does not exist and is inappropriate. Lastly the study shows that an entrepreneur is a person regardless of the person being a male or female, which have characteristics that are viewed as entrepreneurial.