One Arab woman's journey to entrepreneurship: a case study

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is pegged as a highly opportunistic market. The region’s unique demographics include a native population that is in the minority and high numbers of women involved in entrepreneurial activities. The latter trend brings women’s issues to the forefront with implications for, among other areas, policymaking, infrastructure access, and new research avenues. This work offers a case study of a Syrian woman entrepreneur in the UAE, highlighting the particular and varied challenges that female immigrant entrepreneurs (FIEs) face. The study’s findings point to a need for policy to introduce support mechanisms, as well as a need for family and community mentoring. Also, more research is needed to assess important elements of economic activity and to measure factors such as social status and self fulfilment. Efforts in these directions will help boost women’s entrepreneurship ventures and influence their evolution, for even greater benefit to the region.