Women entrepreneurs encounters just about one third of all people involved in entrepreneurial activity. Focusing on high income countries the gender gap is even more prevalent. Taking into account that entrepreneurship is considered a key driver for growth the issue is straight forward, but the solution seem more dubious.
On that behalf NICe (Nordic Innovation Center) called for a workshop bringing together distinguished experts in entrepreneurship, who will share their knowledge and contribute to the development of a Nordic initiative on women entrepreneurship.
The objectives of the workshop are promoting female entrepreneurship, to identify obstacles that prevent women business to grow, to learn from other countries initiatives and their best practices.
The paper are building on the lessons learned at the workshop and combine them with the policies as they have been launched in the Nordic countries over the last decade or more.
The paper concludes that the Nordic countries are somewhat different when it comes to policies and strategies towards women entrepreneurs. To differences are ranging from Denmark with no specific policy for women entrepreneurship to Sweden which has just launched a massive 100 million SEK. project for Women Entrepreneurship.
Though the performance differs between the Nordic countries investments does not seem to be the only explaining factor to gender gaps. Other factors like diversity, networking, access to role models and mentors seem to affect the low level of women Entrepreneurs. Further cultural barriers, socio-economic barriers as well as structural barriers can be seen as possible factors that enhances the gender gap.
This paper is focusing not only on the previous experiences of women entrepreneurship, but it also comprises a forward look on possible strategies and policies towards enhancing women entrepreneurship. This is done by drawing on the expertise of women working with women entrepreneurship in the Nordic countries.
Content
SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 The Importance of Women Entrepreneurs
1.2 The structure of the paper
2. A NORDIC PERSPECTIVE ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- 2.1 Lessons learned from workshop
3. THE LEVEL OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- 3.1 Data perspectives
3.2 Women and Men Entrepreneurship in the Nordic Countries and USA
3.3 High growth entrepreneurs
3.4 Possibility of enhancing women entrepreneurship
4. CHALLENGES AND CENTRAL POLICY INITIATIVES IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES
5. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
APPENDIX FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP – A NORDIC PESPECTIVE
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