THE DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN’S EARLY-STAGE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE: EVIDENCE FROM THE GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MONITOR

Bojan Leković, Milenko Matić, Dušan Bobera, Sunčica Milutinović

DOI Number
https://doi.org/10.22190/TEME260527038L
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Abstract


This paper examines the determinants of women’s early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) in five Southeast European countries – Greece, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, and Slovenia – using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Adult Population Survey for 2021 (n=5,100). The analysis is based on binary logistic regression. The results show that attitudinal factors and elements of social capital play a more important role than demographic characteristics. Self-employment stands out as the strongest predictor, followed by perceived entrepreneurial skills and personal contact with entrepreneurs. At the same time, fear of failure significantly reduces the likelihood of engaging in entrepreneurial activity. The findings are interpreted within a framework that combines Welter’s contextual approach and Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy, pointing to the importance of both the social environment and individual perceptions. The paper contributes to the understanding of women’s entrepreneurship in Southeast Europe and provides a basis for policy measures aimed at encouraging the greater participation of women in entrepreneurial activity.


Keywords

Women’s entrepreneurship, early-stage entrepreneurial activity, GEM, self-efficacy

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/TEME260527038L

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