Abstract
Women entrepreneurs’ motives and barriers have been extensively researched in the extant literature. However, the vast bulk of studies on women entrepreneurs is still focused on the West, and more studies from developing nations are needed. Furthermore, existing research on female founders primarily adapts principles developed in a male-dominated paradigm. This study examines how various formal and informal institutional factors affect women’s decisions to start and build their enterprises and the challenges they face. This research uncovers multi-fold factors like higher education levels, resolved work-life balance issues, family and societal support, and rising networks, shaping women’s entrepreneurial activities and behaviours. This study highlights women’s entrepreneurial motives abetment due to informal institutional systems (culture) and the resulting value transferences. Though unanticipated economic policies and regulatory and compliance matters are obstacles that emerge from formal institutions, they seem to be spread across and not specifically gender-related. We also offer recommendations to promote women’s entrepreneurship and sustenance towards realising their full potential. This research can be useful to policymakers, particularly those who want to learn more about the processes of women entrepreneurship in related circumstances and those who seek to improve the degree of “ease of doing business” for women entrepreneurs.