Female entrepreneurs in a time of crisis: evidence from Ireland
International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship
ISSN: 1756-6266
Article publication date: 17 June 2021
Issue publication date: 17 August 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the impact that a crisis such as that created by COVID-19 has on entrepreneurs. The authors focus on female entrepreneurs and their ability and propensity to continue their entrepreneurial journey.
Design/methodology/approach
For each respondent (n = 113), data was collected using an online survey. The survey was distributed in April 2020 during a nationwide lockdown and again in September 2020 as the economy reopened. In completing the survey, respondents were asked a series of multiple-choice questions and a series of open-ended questions.
Findings
The authors present data characterizing the female entrepreneurs, their experience during a time of crisis and the enablers and disablers to the continuation of their entrepreneurial journey. The key findings that emerge from this study include the resilience of the female entrepreneurs, their willingness to contribute to community-based organizations during a crisis and their desire to seek and receive support from their peers.
Originality/value
The findings from this study provide novel insights with regard to the resources and strategies used by female entrepreneurs during a time of crisis. The data was collected during two periods of great uncertainty for the entrepreneurs and at times when their availability was extremely limited.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the editors and the reviewers. Their guidance and recommendations have resulted in significant improvements to this paper.
Citation
Stephens, S., Cunningham, I. and Kabir, Y. (2021), "Female entrepreneurs in a time of crisis: evidence from Ireland", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 106-120. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-09-2020-0135
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited