Title: Key influences on innovativeness of women entrepreneurs in Tunisia: the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Authors: Raouf Jaziri; Siwar Sakly

Addresses: College of Business, University of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Laboratory LAREMFIQ, University of Sousse, Tunisia ' Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management of Sousse, University of Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract: This paper investigates the determinant factors of the innovativeness of women entrepreneurs. Following a quantitative approach, the study applies the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique to explore direct and indirect relationships among different constructs and to test the developed hypothesis. To run the analysis, we use 276 responses collected from Tunisian women entrepreneurs accompanied by business incubators. The determinants of innovativeness are essentially cognitive and psychological traits. Emotional intelligence, internal locus of control, entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial self-efficacy are found to be positively and significantly associated with innovativeness. Only business networks indirectly reinforce innovativeness through entrepreneurial self-efficacy. However, there is no significant relationship between entrepreneurial training and innovativeness.

Keywords: innovativeness; female entrepreneurship; women entrepreneurs; psychological traits; entrepreneurial traits; Tunisia.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSDS.2022.121099

International Journal of Gender Studies in Developing Societies, 2022 Vol.4 No.3, pp.262 - 282

Accepted: 02 Oct 2021
Published online: 24 Feb 2022 *