International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
The Impact of Gender to Small Business Growth
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Nguyen Doan Khoi
Department of Scientific Research Affairs, Can Tho University, Viet Nam
Abstract: This paper indicated gender differences found in small business growth. The results of a pilot study indicate that owner-managers from middle-class families reveal high growth motivations and have been able to perform well in their businesses compared to those owner-managers from lower-class families. In terms of gender differences in relation to perceived business performance, we found that, female owner-managers have different perception of business growth. They measured business performance in terms of meeting personal goals they had set when they started their businesses.
Keywords: Gender, small business growth, Vietnam
I. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to contribute knowledge about reasons for existing gender differences in relation to small business growth.
The explanations for the identified gender differences in entrepreneurship performance tend to focus either on behavioural factors or structural factors. Scholars of behavioural theories (McClelland, 1965; Brockhaus, 1980; Sexton and Bowman-Upton, 1990) have focused on trait factors in explaining owner-managerial performance differences. On the other hand, other researchers (Du Rietz and Henrekson, 2000; Fabowale, et al 1995; Glancey, 1998) have focused on structural factors to explain the differences. We argue that, these studies have tried to explain the performance differences in a one-sided perspective. In other words, this behavioural-structural dichotomy replicates the traditional structure-agency divide in social theory (Gorton, 2000). Scholars for behavioural theories tend to overlook the impact of social factors on individual motivation. On the other hand, structuralist theories have a tendency to ignore the role of human action in dealing with social pressures.
This study will be approached from an economic-sociology perspective. The basic assumption of economic sociology is that economic action is embedded in social structure (Uzzi, 1996). The present study is economic in the sense that certain concepts, variables, and types of explanation are borrowed from economic theories. The study is sociological in its use of sociological theories and explanations. The role of social structure and culture is in focus.
II. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
At the center of Bourdieu’s theory of practice, is the emphasis of three concepts: field, capital and habitus. Bourdieu argues that, capital, habitus, and field all work together to generate practice (Dumais, 2002). A concept of field is defined as a social arena in which people maneuver and struggle in pursuit of desirable resources (Moi, 1991). It is a competitive system