Abstract
Researchers have generally established the connection between innovativeness and cultural values. However, in these studies men are typically the majority of respondents. There is also no effort in these studies to treat women as a distinct cultural entity although there is evidence suggesting that social conditioning, particularly in masculine societies, induces gender-differentiated behaviors. This paper addresses these issues via a quantitative study examining the effect of masculinity (Hofstede, 1980) on the innovativeness of Malay and Chinese women entrepreneurs in the Malaysian peninsula. Results strongly suggest that for women entrepreneurs, masculinity should not be treated as a single-construct dimension. Rather it should be split into two sub-constructs: ego orientation and gender differentiation. When the construct of masculinity is divided in this way, path analysis reveals that the Malay sample of women entrepreneurs is more innovative than the Chinese even though the latter has a higher index of ego orientation. This may be explained by the former's lower index of gender differentiation.
Highlights
In Malaysia, gender and inter-ethnic issues have become increasingly important in nation-building
The results show that the value of this effect, which is transmitted through environmental support, is -0,0721
Based on a literature review, a theoretical framework was proposed which posited that the Malay and Chinese samples differ in gender differentiation and ego orientation
Summary
In Malaysia, gender and inter-ethnic issues have become increasingly important in nation-building. Women make up only about 15% of the total number of employers in the country (Labour Force Survey Report, Malaysia, 2008), they are acknowledged for their contribution in reducing unemployment and poverty, and economic gaps among different levels of the society (Ariffin, 1994; Idris, 2009; Ismail & Joned, 1999; Ong & Sieh, 2003). The government‟s recognition of the importance of support for women entrepreneurs has been evident since the late 1990s with the setting up of the Women Entrepreneurs Fund, with an allocation of RM10 million Various other mechanisms of support for women entrepreneurs have been established, such as the Women‟s Institute of Management and the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia, which conduct training programs as well as establish networks for these women
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
