The Impact of Empowerment on Women Entrepreneurial Intention in Lebanon: The Mediating Effect of Work–Life Balance

Abstract

The article explores the relationships between different forms of empowerment—psychological, social, political and economic and their influence on work–life balance and women’s start-up intentions in Lebanon. The study also investigates the mediating role of work–life balance in these relationships. Utilizing a sample of 380 Lebanese women, the study employs factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression models and mediation analysis to examine the direct and indirect effects of different empowerment variables on work–life balance and start-up intentions. The study reveals statistically significant correlations between various types of empowerment and work–life balance. Work–life balance acts as a mediator between the empowerment variables and entrepreneurial intentions. The partial mediation suggests that while work–life balance plays a significant role, other factors may contribute to women’s start-up intentions. The study is limited by its sample size and reliance on self-reported data. It is context-specific to Lebanon, and the results may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts. Despite these limitations, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners and scholars interested in women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship. The study offers essential guidance for developing programmes and policies to empower Lebanese women to launch their businesses. By understanding the role of work–life balance, interventions can be more effectively tailored to improve entrepreneurial well-being and entrepreneurial activity.