Maria Noguera

Determinants of female entrepreneurship in Spain: an institutional approach

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the factors that influence female entrepreneurship in Spain, using institutional economics as the theoretical framework. The empirical research uses Spanish regional-level panel data (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and National Statistics Institute of Spain) covering the period 2003–2010. The main findings indicate that informal factors (recognition of entrepreneurial career and female networks) are more relevant for female entrepreneurship than formal factors (education, family context and differential of income level). The research contributes both theoretically (advancing knowledge with respect to environmental factors that affect female entrepreneurship), and practically (for the design of support policies and educational programmes to foster female entrepreneurial activity).

Environmental Factors and Female Entrepreneurship: A Quantitative Study in Spain

The main purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of environmental factors on female entrepreneurial activity, using an institutional approach as a theoretical framework. The empirical research uses regression logistic models and data from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The main findings indicate that informal factors (perceived capabilities to start a business, social networks and family role) are more relevant for female entrepreneurship than formal factors (financing, support policies to entrepreneurship and education). The research contributes both theoretically, with regard to advances in the field of female entrepreneurship and practically, for the design of support policies for female entrepreneurial activity.

Social Entrepreneurship and Institutional Conditions: An Empirical Analysis in Spain

This chapter analyzes the relationship between social entrepreneurship and institutional factors in the Spanish context, using institutional economics as the conceptual framework. To achieve this objective, we use models of logistic regression analysis, and specifically Rare Events Logistic Regression (RELOGIT), based on data from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). The main findings demonstrate that informal institutions, such as fear of failure and perception of entrepreneurial skills, and formal institutions, such as access to funding and education, influence social entrepreneurial activity in Spain. Likewise, our data supports that informal institutions are more important than formal ones for promoting social entrepreneurship. The study contributes advancing theory on the field of social entrepreneurship and also could be useful for the design of government policies on the promotion of social entrepreneurial activity.

The Effect of Cultural Factors on Social Entrepreneurship: The Impact of the Economic Downturn in Spain

The purpose of this chapter is to analyze the influence of cultural factors on social entrepreneurship in Spain in the context of the recent economic crisis. Data from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and Spanish Statistics Institute (INE) for the period 2005–2010 are used as the main sources of information and a panel data analysis is applied in the empirical part of the research. Through the lens of institutional economics, the main findings of the study suggest that informal factors such as cultural factors “perceived opportunities to create a start-up” and “entrepreneur’s social image” are key drivers of social entrepreneurship during the depression period. This study contributes for the design of policies to foster social entrepreneurial activity as well as for the development of the literature in the social entrepreneurship field.

Sociocultural Factors and Female Entrepreneurship in the Innovative Service Sector in Catalonia: A Qualitative Analysis

The purpose of this chapter is to analyse the main sociocultural factors and their impact on female entrepreneurship in the innovative service sector in Catalonia (Spain) and to establish differences to male initiatives using the institutional approach as a theoretical framework. Based on a comparative case study, the principal findings suggest that social networks, role models, entrepreneurial attitudes and family context are important determinants of female entrepreneurship. Family context is, in particular, a crucial factor, which might have a larger impact on women than men. The research contributes both theoretically, with the creation of knowledge in less researched areas such as female entrepreneurship in Spain, and practically, through the development of sustainable support policies for female entrepreneurial activity.