Women entrepreneurs practicing business in Middle East: case study of socio-cultural environmental barriers

Abstract

The involvement of women in the economic development of Middle East through micro-enterprises was very less due to the socio-cultural restriction in the Middle East countries. The region has lately recognised the importance of entrepreneurship for the economic development of the country and to create competitive advantage. The gap in supporting women entrepreneurs has been often identified in various studies. The policy existing in the Middle East region creates barriers for women entrepreneurs to exceed certain limits affecting firms operation, productivity and potentially preventing them from growing and achieving their heights. These barriers created multiple affect in the business carried out by women in the region. This case study identifies societal orientation of rural parts, socioeconomic development of women, women enterprises and development, restriction on women by the society and culture acting as barrier for the potential contribution to economic development.