ABSTRACT
With the advancement of globalization, economies are increasingly interconnected in such a way that large disruptive events, which would have had a limited global impact in the past, have become more frequent and widespread. Just to name a few, financial and economic crises (such as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis and the subsequent worldwide recession), natural disasters (such as the 2011 Japan earthquake), and epidemics (like the one caused by SARS in 2003), have all occurred over the last twenty years. The impact of such events varies. Some have caused massive reductions of demand (demand shock);others have led to a change in supply conditions, forcing firms to suspend or reduce their output (supply shock);and others have presented both characteristics. Financial crises, particularly, may cause a "deep deterioration of conditions in financial markets, leading to a severe credit crunch" (Colombo et al., 2016, p. 648). © Hamid Etemad 2022. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Purpose The present study seeks to investigate female entrepreneurship in turbulent times (COVID-19) and contexts (emerging markets). Design/methodology/approach An in-depth, multiple-firm (five SMEs), cross-country (2 countries - Brazil and Tunisia), cross-region (Latin America and the MENA region) case study based on a mixed embeddedness perspective. Findings The study highlights how challenges and uncertainties are managed, what inspires female entrepreneurs and what frightens them. We capture these entrepreneurs' insecurities, self-doubts and creative survival strategies. Our findings reinforce the need for self-efficacy and resilience, as well as the importance of a support network and the ability to "reboot" whenever needed. Despite persistent patriarchal norms and cultures, the women surveyed did not see themselves as female entrepreneurs but as successful entrepreneurs, akin to their male counterparts. Research limitations/implications Academically, the study contributes to the fields of entrepreneurship, female entrepreneurship and crisis management with empirical evidence in new contexts (LATAM and MENA regions) and times (collected during a crisis). The results also contribute in a practical way to female entrepreneurs, policy makers and global agencies. Originality/value The study's originality arises from a qualitative cross-country comparison of findings from internationally minded companies from under-researched developing countries and regions at an especially interesting and turbulent time: the pandemic of 2020.