Family support and business performance of South African female technology entrepreneurs
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 16 June 2022
Issue publication date: 12 August 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Female entrepreneurs play an increasingly recognised role in countries' overall well-being by contributing to job creation, wealth, family income and innovation. This study identifies combinations of family support that enhance business performance most effectively.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), drawing on 184 technology business owners to identify the family support configurations most conducive to high business performance.
Findings
The results suggest that high levels of emotional and instrumental support are necessary for female technology entrepreneurs to achieve a high firm performance (FP) level when instrumental support at home (ISH) is lacking. As a comparison, male technology entrepreneurs can still achieve a high level of FP when emotional and instrumental support for the business (ISB) is low.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the body of knowledge on women's entrepreneurship in emerging economies, technology entrepreneurs in South Africa and family and business support systems. The authors add to the emerging literature on the potential downsides of family embeddedness by tying theory to the findings on how family embeddedness-related obligations arise when individuals depend on their family's financial support and how this reliance impedes the formation of entrepreneurial intentions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to extend their appreciation to Dr. Silas Verkijika of Sol Plaatje University, Kimberly, South Africa, for his guidance with the statistical analysis.
Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Citation
Neneh, B.N. and Welsh, D.H.B. (2022), "Family support and business performance of South African female technology entrepreneurs", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 28 No. 6, pp. 1631-1652. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-05-2021-0402
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited