Culture and Entrepreneurship: A Developing Country Perspective

Purpose - This paper offers an initial perspective on the realities of female entrepreneurship in developing countries, focusing on Zimbabwe, based on research in progress. The research attempts to understand female entrepreneurship from the perspective of the female entrepreneurs themselves. Methodology - Qualitative analysis used in this paper is based on empirical findings from field-work undertaken in Harare (capital city of Zimbabwe) and Bulawayo (second largest city of Zimbabwe). In-depth face to face interviews were conducted by the researcher with forty-three female entrepreneurs running their own businesses. The sample consists of female entrepreneurs who started their entrepreneurial activities in the formal sector and have since formalised their businesses or are in the process of formalising their businesses. Further interviews, and re-interviews, are continuing. Results obtained - Preliminary findings indicate that context, in terms of culture and socioeconomic factors, shapes female entrepreneurial activities. All married women ran their businesses in partnership with spouses; this turned out to be a paper partnership, with little support, and often a lot of interference, coming from the husband. The paper offers some explanation as to why context and historical variables impact on the realities of female entrepreneurial activities. Conclusion - At a minimum, apparent or face-value collaboration with men is a necessity of culture and custom. The women interviewed construe entrepreneurship as self-fulfilling, allowing them the flexibility and freedom to balance work with family obligations whilst earning income to better their families and that of the community. Implications - To understand (female) entrepreneurship, researchers need to factor in culture, context, history and custom. This has implications for policy-making, training programmes and business support. Originality/value-There are very few studies from a developing country perspective such as that of Zimbabwe, which take a positive stance towards culture. This paper therefore adopts an open-minded view of the role of culture as enabling, rather than disabling, in female entrepreneurship.