The Next Billion in Business: Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

Authors

  • Tanvi Kothari Co-Chair, Academy of International Business US West; San José State University USA
  • Malou Roldan San Jose State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55482/jcim.2022.32903

Abstract

Women-owned businesses are not only among the fastest-growing entrepreneurial ventures in the world but also have a significant impact on other women businesses and the economies at large. This paper uses an in-depth multiple-case study design to study twenty-two Women Entrepreneurs (WE) from diverse geographical, social, economic, and industrial sectors in two of the world’s fastest-growing emerging markets, India and the Philippines. The main message of our study is that in emerging markets, WEs ability to (simultaneously) sell products or offer solutions to niche segments and their capabilities to optimize resources by being innovative in identifying sources of funding, despite the institutional voids in emerging markets, enhances the competitive advantage of their businesses. To this extent, we introduce ‘A Framework to Explain the Paths of Building Women-Owned Businesses’ Competitive Advantage’ and identify some ‘propositions’ as anchors for further theory building. Finally, the findings of this study provide guidelines for entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers that boosting women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment requires systemic solutions at scale.

Author Biographies

Tanvi Kothari, Co-Chair, Academy of International Business US West; San José State University USA

Tanvi Kothari (PhD, Temple University) is a Professor of International Business and Strategic Management in the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at San Jose State University (SJSU). Dr. Kothari’s areas of research include innovations originating in emerging markets, migrant entrepreneurship, and the strategic impact of new technologies on firms. She contributes as a scholar by publishing in books, journals - Journal of World Business, Journal of International Management, etc. and Op-Eds in leading media outlets. Dr. Kothari serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of International Management, International Journal of Emerging Markets, among others. Currently, she serves as a board member on the Women of Academy of International Business (WAIB) and is an executive of the Academy of International Business US West Chapter. Dr. Kothari has served as the track Co-Chair for Emerging Markets and Emerging Markets MNEs and for Gender & Diversity for AIB 2022 and 2021 Annual Conferences respectively.

Malou Roldan, San Jose State University

Malu Roldan is a Professor at the School of Information Systems and Technology. Her research focuses on the impact, adoption, and use of emerging technologies in education and other social ventures. Until August 2018, she served as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs at San José State’s Lucas College of Business. As Associate Dean, she enhanced the business schools’ support for student success through a wide range of programs, including SJSU global experience offerings, such as Global Career Day, Women in Leadership League, and transitional programs for freshmen and transfers. Dr. Roldan spent her formative years in the Philippines and continues to have strong familial and professional ties to the country. She received her doctorate in management from UCLA in 1996 and conducted post-doctorate work on the early days of e-commerce at UC Berkeley from 1996-1999.

 

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Published

2022-06-30

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Kothari, T., & Roldan, M. (2022). The Next Billion in Business: Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets . Journal of Comparative International Management, 25(1), 84–124. https://doi.org/10.55482/jcim.2022.32903

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Vol. 25 No. 1 (2022)

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Research Articles

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