Abstract
We are interested in this research in examining if the religious institutions across countries have varied association with women’s entrepreneurial behaviours. By focusing on religious context, we add another framework for understanding factors influencing women’s entrepreneurship activities across countries. In this study, we adopt a multi-level approach to examine the impact of entrepreneurial readiness and religious context on women’s entry into entrepreneurship. In particular, the study examines direct effects of women’s entrepreneurial readiness (ties with other entrepreneurs, perceived opportunities, self-efficacy, and fear of failure) and country-level religious institutions on women’s entry into entrepreneurship. Furthermore, we analyse the moderating effects of the religious institutions on the relationship between women’s entrepreneurial readiness and their entry into entrepreneurship. Our research findings will contribute in providing a finer understanding of the institutional environments that might foster or hinder women’s entrepreneurship. Our study will provide policy makers with empirical findings to guide making policies that facilitate women’s entry to entrepreneurship by eliminating barriers.