Women-owned, home-based businesses: the effects of location on growth

This research explores spatial-institutional contexts differentiating between women-owned businesses located in periphery and core regions, and between home-based and away from-home businesses. The design relies on mixed methods: a quantitative survey of 156 women entrepreneurs, followed by a qualitative survey of nine women entrepreneurs using semi-constructed, in-depth interviews. A sample of men-owned businesses for comparison was used. The findings suggest that the choice of locating a business at home is often gender-driven, as it allows upholding of the gender contract while still breaking the glass ceiling. Furthermore, the findings suggest that gender and location affect business performance: women-owned home-based businesses in peripheral regions enjoy higher growth than similar businesses in core regions or similar businesses owned by men. The study bears practical implications for women entrepreneurs in peripheral regions, in all business sectors, suggesting that running a business from home is an advantage.