Bedouin Rising: How Saudi Female Entrepreneurs are Leading Saudi Arabia into a Knowledge-Based Economy

Abstract

Over the last decade, the unemployment rate of women has been triple that of men in Saudi Arabia. Cultural obstacles perpetuated by the conservative patriarchy of the Kingdom such as guardianship, gender segregation, and childcare options continue to obstruct the entry of Saudi women into the workforce. In response to these entrenched social practices, an increasing number of women have chosen to develop entrepreneurships as a way to circumnavigate these barriers. This essay examines how entrepreneurship has allowed Saudi women to transcend social barriers and achieve financial security and greater social freedom without compromising their traditional matriarchal roles. Specifically, Saudi women have employed four tactics to circumnavigate barriers and achieve greater freedom via entrepreneurships. These tactics include obtaining funding from family members, exploiting higher education opportunities, leveraging technology, and utilizing social networking. By employing creative problem solving strategies, Saudi women have entered the labor force and elevated their status beyond traditional roles. These female entrepreneurs have also secured a place for their families in the middle class and achieved work-life balance through flexible scheduling. This essay concludes with recommendations for specific actions that Saudi businesswomen can undertake to maintain their place in the labor market and aid Saudi Arabia in its transition into a knowledge-based economy. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n9p346