Female Entrepreneurial Capacity in China: A Comparative Study of Two Periods

Farhana Firoz

doi:10.11114/ijsss.v3i5.879

Abstract

This is a comparative study of women in China in their career choices as entrepreneurs based on self-efficacy theory, in two periods, 2002 and 2010. Existing literatures not only suggest, self-efficacy is an essential factor in career choices but also suggest that it varies considerably in genders. In addition, self-efficacy is developed through social persuasion which ultimately affects people’s career choice. Literatures also suggest that China is a country, where women face much social pressure and barriers .So study assumes, Chinese women’s self-efficacy is not that much due to social suppression and aims to see whether with time there has been any increase in self-efficacy in choosing their career as entrepreneurship. Individual data of Global Entrepreneurs Monitor (GEM) and self-efficacy theory are used to test self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intentions, to interpret women’s changing orientations towards their career as entrepreneurs compared to men, in 2002 and 2010 . The findings of the study have been drawn based on three propositions to check self-efficacy. Each proposition findings are compared among genders for the periods 2002 and 2010 to understand the change in gap, as China progressed. The results suggest, in 2010, though Chinese men are more engaged in entrepreneurship compared to women, but the gap in genders in their self-efficacy & career self -efficacy is seen to narrow in 2010 than in 2002. The findings of the research will help in recognizing the importance of the factor self-efficacy and its importance in women’s career choice.

Highlights

Entrepreneurship is a career which postulates proper opportunity for women worldwide because it gives flexibility, more financial freedom better position in the society, change and innovation
The results suggest, in 2010, though Chinese men are more engaged in entrepreneurship compared to women, but the gap in genders in their self-efficacy & career self -efficacy is seen to narrow in 2010 than in 2002
Women are unable to benefit from services, and must struggle to overcome discriminations in business environment (UNIDO, 2001).These cases become more clear in country based study, as because country based study on women entrepreneurs can give an important insight on a particular country’s socio-economical development, existing literature shows women entrepreneurs are the building blocks of a society

Summary

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is a career which postulates proper opportunity for women worldwide because it gives flexibility, more financial freedom better position in the society, change and innovation. Several varieties of constraints are there on women which blocks women from upgrading their production ability in a continuous manner These barriers can be poor access to market information, lack of knowledge in technology and finance, poor linkages with support services and an unfavorable policy and regulatory environment. These constraints are further amplified by the need to compete in an aggressive business environment with rapid technological changes and the globalization of production, trade and financial flows (UNIDO, 2001). Self-efficacy is not biologically obtained but could be acquired gradually through the development of a person’s complex cognitive, social, linguistic, and/or physical skills that were obtained through experience (Bandura, 1982; Gist, 1987)

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Conclusion