Women entrepreneurship in Mongolia: the role of culture on entrepreneurial motivation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on motivational and cultural theories in entrepreneurship to study the role of culture on the motivational behaviors of female entrepreneurs in Mongolia.

Design/methodology/approach

After several exploratory field trips to Mongolia, two women‐founded, women‐owned cases were selected and studied.

Findings

The findings of these case studies support the extant literature that the need for achievement plays a major role in motivating women to become entrepreneurs. Further, the findings suggest that the Mongolian nomadic culture of adventurism, secular culture of feminism and Asian culture of collectivism play important roles in motivating and supporting women to become successful entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implications for research on entrepreneurial motivations and women entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial motivations are closely related to cultural values. Thus, culture, particularly entrepreneur's cultural orientation, cannot be discarded or treated separately from entrepreneurial motivation and other entrepreneurial behavior research and studies. For further research, building on this case study, a quantitative cross‐cultural research can be conducted (i.e. collecting data from multiple countries) to draw a wider generalization on the role of culture on entrepreneurial motivation.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can have implications for the development of strategies and policies for fostering women entrepreneurship as a means for creating jobs and overcoming gender inequality.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge and understanding on the role of culture in supporting women entrepreneurship as a means of promoting gender equality.

Citation

Aramand, M. (2013), "Women entrepreneurship in Mongolia: the role of culture on entrepreneurial motivation", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 68-82. https://doi.org/10.1108/02610151311305623