All respondents stated that ICT played a major role in the development of their business with 2 of the respondents indicating that their business is solely an internet based business. As indicated in previous studies, female business owners often lack the knowledge and expertise in technology due to many factors, some of which include the […]

Five respondents indicated that they had spe­cific objectives targeting revenue growth since the outset of their business. The remaining two respondents reported that while they did not de­vise specific targets for firm growth for the first year of business activities, they did so currently. The specific growth objectives were aligned to the perceptions of firm […]

Initially an in-depth profile of the female busi­ness owner was developed by investigating their personal characteristics which aligned with the stereotypical profiles documented in previous literature. The seven entrepreneurs had obtained a third level educational award with two respon­dents holding a Masters Degree, thus reflecting the high levels of education of female owner/ managers (Fitzsimons […]

An exploratory study — a series of face to face in­depth interviews with seven female mompreneurs was conducted. The objectives ofthe research were to obtain an insight into the profile of the entrepre — neurs and their objectives for the growth of their business. Detail was obtained on their perception of ICT, its role and […]

Goodbody Economic Consultants (2002) found that social conditioning and perceived expecta­tions of females in society; incorrect perceptions of the demands of running a business; lack of female role models; low proportion of women pursuing Science, Engineering and Technology programmes; lack of self confidence and dif­ficulties in reconciling work and family life for females were factors […]

A number of common issues emerge as barriers to the adoption and integrated use of ICT in the small firm (Small Business Forum, 2006). The primary reasons relate to a lack of appreciation amongst owners/managers of the contribution that ICT can make to their business, lack of ICT manage­ment skills, difficulty in accessing independent advice […]

The adoption of ICT is no longer a means of creating a sustainable competitive advantage, but an essential competitive weapon necessary for survival. In ascertaining the role and use of ICT as an enabler or otherwise of small firm growth ICT needs to be defined. A review of the litera­ture and policy documents on this […]

The home worker/entrepreneur now constitutes a segment referred to as the mompreneur — the mother who decides primarily for family reasons to leave paid employment and establish a business operated from the home. A number of women are not content with choosing between the workplace or being a stay — at-home mum; they want a […]

Women are less likely to belong to a business network, to have a business mentor, or to join business associations at business start up (Still & Timms 2000). Forfas (2007) contribute this fact to the personal background and employment experience of Irish females, in addition to the boarder socio-economic and cultural context in which female […]

The choice of the industry sector where the busi­ness is established is influenced by the prior work experience of females. For example, 88 per cent of employed women are currently working in services compared to 51 per cent of men, while just 9 per cent of women are employed in industry compared to 17 per […]