This study makes several contributions to women’s entrepreneurship literature. First, the authors explore whether determinants predicting women’s entrepreneurship vary by the type of occupation entered. They disaggregate entrepreneurship into professional (high-skilled) and non-professional (low- skilled and non-skilled) occupations. The primary focus is to understand whether family structure (motherhood and partner’s occupational status) has a differential impact on the qualification profile of women entrepreneurs. Second, the authors analyze the pathways into different forms of entrepreneurship across 22 European countries as well as the US to understand how country-specific institutional environments may influence women’s entry into high-skill entrepreneurship versus low-skill entrepreneurship. More specifically, they examine how policies which aim at women’s reconciliation of family and work duties -such as leave policies, policies regulating early childhood education and care as well as school scheduling- may affect female entrepreneurs’ occupational profile.
About the book:
Brush, C., A. de Bruin, E. Gatewood & C. Henry (2010), Women Entrepreneurs and The Global Environment for Growth: A Research Perspective, Edward Elgar Publishing House (www.e-elgar.com)