Female Agri-Food Start-Ups: Mapping the Italian Context During the Coronavirus Era

In recent years COVID-19 has led the world into a deep crisis, claiming numerous victims and causing uncertainty in the economic scene. During the coronavirus' lockdown, the only economic activities allowed to operate were the ones from primary sector, such as the agri-food. Recent literature asserts that during emergency period the main factors that allow the organizations to be resilient are the structural and relational capital, two of intellectual capital components. To support innovation, since 2012, Italian law has provided the possibility for companies to obtain the status of an innovative start-up, promoting technological transition through several fiscal and tax benefits. However, delving into gender issue, the role of female entrepreneurs within agri-food sector is not very clear. In this stream, focusing on the field of innovation to overcome the crisis, the present chapter aims to map the innovative female farms during the coronavirus period. To reach the declared goal a EDQ analysis on the innovative Italian start-ups was developed. Findings show that the role of female entrepreneurship in agri-food sector is still very poor from the point of view of innovation and technology, and only 10 innovative farms are led by women (11% of the sector;0.08% of Italian start-ups). The present chapter contributes to the literature on gender studies in the business innovation field, during periods of crisis. The main limitation concerns the availability of data related to this particular kind of Italian SMEs (start-ups). The main future research perspectives will address case studies on the female agri-food start-ups identified in this first exploratory study and will aim to investigate the proactive role of structural capital and the reactive role of relational capital. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Contribution à une lecture praxéologique du leadership entrepreneurial de crise des dirigeantes de PME : l'exemple de la crise sanitaire de la Covid-19

La crise pandémique de la Covid-19 a constitué une situation adverse pour tous les acteurs du monde économique. En mobilisant le concept de leadership entrepreneurial, cet article vise à analyser les actions organisationnelles et les postures de leadership adoptées par des dirigeantes expérimentées pour garantir la continuité de leur activité économique, voire assurer la survie de leur entreprise. Nous chercherons à montrer que leurs actions et pratiques ne sont pas univoques. Elles se caractérisent, au contraire, par une forme de contingence traversée par des champs de tension et un subtil équilibre entre décisions stratégiques d'exploitation et d'exploration et une mise en oeuvre stratégique reposant tant sur des processus opératoires que relationnels. En filigrane, ce travail de recherche nous permettra de saisir les contours d'une forme singulière de leadership entrepreneurial lié aux situations de crise. Nous questionnerons également les limites de l'usage de la notion de genre pour appréhender les comportements entrepreneuriaux et les processus de décision déployés par les entrepreneures dans des contextes d'adversité.Alternate :The Covid-19 pandemic crisis was an adverse situation for all economic actors. By mobilising the concept of entrepreneurial leadership, this article aims to analyse the organisational actions and leadership postures adopted by senior women managers to guarantee the continuity of their economic activity, and even, to ensure the survival of their company. We will try to show that their actions and practices are not univocal. They are characterised, on the contrary, by a form of contingency crossed by fields of tension and a subtle balance between strategic decisions of exploitation and exploration, and a strategic implementation based on both operational and relational processes. This research work will allow us to grasp the contours of a singular form of entrepreneurial leadership linked to the crisis. We will also question the limits of the use of the notion of gender to apprehend entrepreneurial behaviours and decision-making processes deployed by women entrepreneurs in contexts of adversity.Alternate :La crisis de la pandemia Covid-19 fue una situación adversa para todos los actores económicos. Movilizando el concepto de liderazgo empresarial, este artículo pretende analizar las acciones organizativas y las posturas de liderazgo adoptadas por las altas directivas para garantizar la continuidad de su actividad económica, e incluso, simplemente, para asegurar la supervivencia de su empresa. Intentaremos demostrar que sus acciones y prácticas no son unívocas. Se caracterizan, por el contrario, por una forma de contingencia atravesada por campos de tensión y un sutil equilibrio entre las decisiones estratégicas de explotación y exploración, y una implementación estratégica basada en procesos tanto operativos como relacionales. Este trabajo de investigación nos permitirá captar los contornos de una forma singular de liderazgo empresarial vinculada a las situaciones de crisis. También cuestionaremos los límites del uso de la noción de género para aprehender los comportamientos empresariales y los procesos de toma de decisiones desplegados por las empresarias en contextos de adversidad.

Entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurship in the new feminist era: A literary review

Entrepreneurial skills are the ability to apply a set of knowledge, attitudes, and skills to be successful in the creation and constitution of new companies, developing and integrating an entrepreneurial culture as a strategy for intervention in society. The objective of this theoretical review was to analyze entrepreneurial skills and entrepreneurship in the new feminist era. The research was of a basic type, using documentary review and content analysis techniques to identify, analyze, and interpret the sources of information obtained mostly in databases of Scopus, Web Of Science, Scielo, and Redalyc indexed journals., which were related to the study categories: entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial spirit, entrepreneurial women in the world, and Peru;they were assigned as inclusion criteria as well as by the year of publication between 2015-2022. It was concluded that as the pandemic drags on, entrepreneurship becomes critical for a sustainable recovery of economic systems. Entrepreneurship, in particular, has been affected and requires economic revitalization that relies heavily on women's entrepreneurial activities.

Help and hindrance: family roles concerning small businesses of women in Bangladesh during COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose Although the extant literature has already recognised the negative impact of homebound responsibilities on women's entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is yet to know whether and how the family has any other role in women's businesses during this critical period. This research aims to explore the patronising and patriarchal roles of the family regarding women's small businesses in a developing nation during the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach This feminist study is based on the interviews of women business-owners of a highly patriarchal developing nation, Bangladesh. During the period of the interview, Bangladesh was one of the top ten regions of the world in terms of the identified coronavirus cases. Findings The research unveils work-family enrichment by illustrating the help of family members in meeting the challenges of the pandemic period regarding women's certain business activities, such as the innovative production process. Besides, the study reveals the assisting and, in some cases, the non-cooperative approaches of family members concerning additional homebound responsibilities that affect work-family conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value Whereas the existing literature on women's entrepreneurship regarding the family revolves around work-family conflict due to maternal or caregiving responsibilities during the COVID-19 period, this feminist study substantially contributes to the understanding by revealing how family members help women by getting involved in business activities. It further enriches the prevailing knowledge regarding assisting or hindering activities of family members concerning domestic activities that affect women's businesses during the pandemic.

Livelihood strategies of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

Women entrepreneurship is an essential source of economic growth and sustainable development. This study aims to identify the relationship between the five variables of pentagon assets in Sustainable Livelihoods to investigate the survival strategy of women entrepreneurs during COVID-19 in Indonesia. Furthermore, this study aims to build an integrative Women Entrepreneur's Sustainable Livelihoods model based on volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). This study uses Mixed-Methods Investigation by combining the Partial Least Square (PLS) and Group Discussion Forum (FGD). PLS examines the relationship element of women entrepreneurs to build a business strategy and The FGD to support the Livelihoods strategies Model. The purposive sampling technique took the sample of 155 women entrepreneurs (PLS) dan 14 participants (FGD) that matched the sample criteria. The findings demonstrated that women entrepreneurs' livelihood strategies positively linked to their ability to build survival strategies. Second, an integrative model of sustainable livelihood for women entrepreneurs based on the VUCA as an attempt by entrepreneurs to maintain their business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women entrepreneur sustainability business-based integrative sustainable livelihood model is a solution for women entrepreneurs to survive and develop their businesses. Ability to access five elements of sustainable livelihood Pentagon Assets in Sustainable livelihoods 1) Human Capital; 2) Social Capital; 3) Financial Capital; 4) Physical Capital 5) Intellectual Capital has a positive relationship to the ability to create a business strategy based on VUCA. This integrative Model, compiled based on livelihood strategies and VUCA, can be applied as a survival strategy in women entrepreneurs' businesses dealing with various uncertainties.

Female Entrepreneurship Model, a Sustainable Solution for Crisis Resilience

Entrepreneurs have always been the engine of the whole economy, but the vast majority of them have been men. And as society has evolved, social or entrepreneurial behavior patterns have been redefined so that we can now look at the impact gender can have on leadership and its sustainability. And when would it be more appropriate to analyze sustainability than in times of crisis? Therefore, we have now, one year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, undertaken a research based on a questionnaire as a research tool, disseminated in the Romanian entrepreneurial environment, by means of which we have been able to outline the analysis and conclusions regarding the business model that supports sustainable development, especially in times of crisis. Thus, through it, we have analyzed the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the development of entrepreneurial activity and we have extracted the "pattern" of changes that entrepreneurs have undertaken for resilience during the crisis period. Our empirical research, undertaken in March 2021, showed that the majority of affected entrepreneurs have implemented changes to their pre-pandemic management model (85%). Of the total 320 respondents, more than 65% represent women owned businesses. We have analyzed what are the main entrepreneurial traits that guide female entrepreneurial behavior. At the same time, for a sustainable development, we have determined the traits of the female entrepreneurial model, which can be successful in times of crisis.

Women entrepreneurs in tourism in a time of a life event crisis

Female entrepreneurship drives tourism development in resource-scarce destinations but little is known about why local women engage in business and what determines their success in a time of a life event crisis. This knowledge is important as it can support policies on regional regeneration and poverty alleviation. This study draws upon the Bourdieu's model of practice with its notions of capital, agents, field, and habitus to examine the experiences of women running tourism enterprises in a destination with the legacy of an anthropogenic environmental disaster, the Aral Sea region. Semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan (n = 18) and Kazakhstan (n = 15) showcase prevalence of the necessity-based and extrinsic motivations in a time of crisis. Interviews also demonstrate the importance of social capital women entrepreneurs built with such agents of entrepreneurial practice as family, friends, policymakers, employees, and competitors. The original contribution of the study is in revealing how local cultural traditions reinforce various types of capital, strengthen the field of knowledge, and shape habitus of women entrepreneurs in critical times. Another original contribution is in highlighting how the experience of past life event crises has aided in psychological coping of women tourism entrepreneurs during COVID-19. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Sustainable Tourism is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Female entrepreneurship in emerging markets: challenges of running a business in turbulent contexts and times

PurposeThe present study seeks to investigate female entrepreneurship in turbulent times (COVID-19) and contexts (emerging markets).Design/methodology/approachAn 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.FindingsThe 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/implicationsAcademically, 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/valueThe 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.

'All you need is... entrepreneurial attitudes': a deeper look into the propensity to start a business during the COVID-19 through a gender comparison (GEM data)

The COVID-19 captured entrepreneurs by surprise, and shocked in the first months of the pandemic, especially women entrepreneurs;yet, the initial stages of the 'shock' that crises induce, are still underexplored in the entrepreneurial research, though critical for the further venture creation act. The genders' perceptions of opportunity, fear of failure and motivations before and during the pandemic, are employed to predict propensity to start a business during this crisis. Results comparing the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) datasets between 2019 and 2020 suggest that while pandemic has been found to affect women more severely than men, women's perceived availability of opportunities during COVID-19 emerged more tightly related to financial motivations, as their main impetus to start a business. These findings reinforce the relevance of the theory of planned behaviour and bricolage to the contexts of gender and crises. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

BGlobal Solar Energy Market and Female Entrepreneurship after the Covid-19 Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic presents multiple challenges for sustainable development, particularly for female entrepreneurship in the renewable segment. Solar energy is the most prospective segment of renewable energy resources. The share of global female inventors in energy technologies is less than 30%. This article is devoted to prospects of the development of female entrepreneurship in the solar energy market. We analyzed the global impact of the pandemic on the solar energy markets, and assessed the prospects for their development in the post-pandemic period. We used data from leading international analytical agencies, such as IAE and Bloomberg for 2000-2020. We also used results of international case study analyses of the International Energy Agency from 2019 on female entrepreneurship in solar energy. In addition, we investigated the Russian-French case study of female entrepreneurship in the solar energy segment. Based on the results of the analysis, we concluded that the solar energy sector will continue to develop in the future. According to the research results, negative pandemic trends, such as the reduction in the number of commissioned projects and investments in the solar power industry persist in the short term. So far, the pandemic has not had a significant negative impact on the strategic and long-term period, and female entrepreneurship will continue to evolve. We argue that it is important to minimize financial barriers currently existing in special funding and grant programs for supporting this trend and increasing the number of women in solar energy entrepreneurship. It is crucial to focus future financial programs for female entrepreneurs in the solar energy sector on rural regions as they are more prospective in terms of solar energy development. In addition, a range of educational programs in soft skills should be developed to strengthen engineering specialists’ background in business and negotiations. The research results can be used in future research in the field of sustainable development, renewables, and female employment in the renewable and solar energy sector. © 2021, Institute of Economic Sciences. All rights reserved.

Entrepreneurial bricolage: crowdfunding for female entrepreneurs during COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has had unprecedented effects around the world and particularly on vulnerable populations, such as female entrepreneurs in developing countries. They are facing a new normal, characterized by high uncertainty and resource constraints. This paper aims to use the experiential learning theory applied to entrepreneurship to propose the entrepreneurial bricolage approach to study how female entrepreneurs can overcome this type of crisis. Design/methodology/approach Within the research designs of conceptual papers, the study is situated within the model approach because the authors propose novel relationships between constructs to answer the research questions through the development of theoretical propositions. Findings The analysis suggests that the entrepreneurial bricolage process represents a type of strategy that allows these women to adapt to this new normal. Based on this approach, the authors suggest that crowdfunding represents a financial resource at hand for both pre-existing female entrepreneurs and new female entrepreneurs. Practical implications The theoretical implications suggest an alternative conceptual framework of the entrepreneurial bricolage process to analyse the female entrepreneurial activity in developing countries and during crisis' contexts. The managerial implications suggest that crowdfunding is a financial resource at hand for female entrepreneurs that allow them to perform well, innovate or implement growth strategies and have more chances of surviving and growing during the crisis. Finally, the policy implications are oriented to the promotion of this kind of financial alternative and the generation of trust for users, along with the strengthening of a regulatory framework to attract more investors and entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study provides useful information on how the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting female entrepreneurs in developing countries. It also expands on the literature on crowdfunding in terms of its advantages as a non-traditional funding source for women.