Title: Singapore's female entrepreneurs – are they different?

Authors: Pi-Shen Seet, Noor Hazlina Ahmad, Lip-Chai Seet

Addresses: University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. ' University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia. ' Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Drive, Research Technoplaza, 2nd Storey, BorderX Block 637553, Singapore

Abstract: This paper reports the findings of an exploratory empirical study that examines the differences between male and female entrepreneurs in Singapore with respect to motivation and personality traits to determine the extent of the gender |gap|. Using a conceptual framework combining the entrepreneurial personality characteristics identified by McClelland (1976) and Brockhaus (1982), the study|s main hypothesis was that there were significant gender differences in terms of motivation and personality characteristics between Singaporean entrepreneurs. A survey among 85 entrepreneurs was conducted and the results suggest that there are no significant gender differences in terms of motivation but that there are significant differences in personality traits. The paper concludes by recommending that further research be conducted on other aspects of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor|s conceptual model that could better explain the differences between male and female entrepreneurs.

Keywords: female entrepreneurs; women entrepreneurs; entrepreneurship; motivation; personality attributes; Singapore; gender gap; gender differences.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2008.017303

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.257 - 271

Published online: 24 Feb 2008 *

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