Women business owners in the Middle East and North Africa: a five‐country research study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an account of women business owners in the Middle East and North Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This five‐country research study included face‐to‐face interviews with women entrepreneurs in Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

Findings

The findings revealed that the women surveyed were operating across a range of business sectors and, in some cases, with employment levels ahead of most women‐owned firms in Western Europe and North America. Most of the women surveyed were trading internationally and were growth‐oriented.

Practical implications

This research offers valuable practical insights for policy makers, women's business organizations and financial institutions.

Originality/value

The paper offers an unprecedented level of new detailed information about women business owners and their enterprises in the region.

Citation

Weeks, J.R. (2009), "Women business owners in the Middle East and North Africa: a five‐country research study", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/17566260910942354