The Incas have no end: women artisans in Peru and the continuity of their entrepreneurial activity

Abstract

Purpose Through focusing on the Peruvian context, this paper aims to identify the main determinants of the continuity of entrepreneurial activity among women artisans. Design/methodology/approach The empirical sample comprises semi-structured interviews with 28 women artisans in Peru during their participation in a fair organized by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture in Lima (Peru). Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the transcripts from the interviews conducted. Findings The findings empirically identified the following job-related (number of work hours, perceived income, future of artisanal jobs), functional (availability and relevance of workstations, the necessity to travel) and socio-cultural determinants (government support, perceived recognition, level of affiliation with Peruvian traditions) as the main drivers of the continuity of entrepreneurial activities among women artisans. Originality/value This paper contributes by filling a gap in the literature on women entrepreneurship and artisan entrepreneurship in which empirical studies of Latin American women artisans continuing with their entrepreneurial activities have been limited so far.