Enhancing the entrepreneurial capabilities of female immigrant entrepreneurs through Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) – The Irish Context

Abstract

Under-represented groups, such as female immigrant entrepreneurs, experience entrepreneurship differently to the mainstream population. In view of this, it is necessary that entrepreneurship policies and supports are tailored, in order to effectively address their unique and specific needs, thereby becoming more inclusive. This would guarantee some degree of level playing field in entrepreneurship. Thus, if female immigrant entrepreneurs are to successfully maximise the opportunities within their host nations and manage the challenges they potentially face, especially as it relates to entrepreneurship, it is imperative that they receive the kind of support, which recognises and considers their uniqueness and entrepreneurial potentials in its design, development and delivery, and which increases the likelihood of their entrepreneurial success. Essentially, Entrepreneurship education and training (EET) has value in creating opportunities for their socioeconomic inclusion and for fostering and facilitating entrepreneurial capability development.
 This empirical study presents findings on the extent to which the current provision of entrepreneurship education and training in Ireland meets the entrepreneurial capability needs of female immigrant entrepreneurs. Study 1 is a systematic analysis of documentation on the current provision of EET in Ireland from 2011 – 2021, while Study 2 is based on findings from semi-structured interviews with 21 female immigrant entrepreneurs resident in Ireland. The research questions were centred on their experience of entrepreneurship in Ireland, what entrepreneurial capabilities they require to start and grow their businesses, as well as their perception of the extent to which the current EET provision meets their need.