Gender differences in Social Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Spain

Abstract

This study draws on Social Role Theory to identify the factors that determine entrepreneurs' choice of Social Entrepreneurship (SE) with specific attention to gender-based differences.

Following a review of the literature, a logistic regression model is estimated to determine the objective variables that influence female Social Entrepreneurship.

The results confirm that women are more likely than men to set up a Social Enterpreneurship and only the variable occupational status (at managerial level) and previous work experience have proven significant.

The importance of Social Entrepreneurship to a country's economic growth has been gaining recognition. Recently, institutions and the economic literature have been attributing greater significance to SE as a driver of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The economics literature has confirmed that women are more motivated by the social goals inherent in SE. Understanding the factors that influence the development of women's entrepreneurship could help policy makers to design public policies.