Type of Businesses Established

Female business activity is confined in the main to what are viewed as “feminised occupational industry sectors” (Carter & Bennett, 2006; Henry & Johnston, 2003; Marlow, Carter & Shaw, 2008; Small Business Service, 2003). These include businesses in the catering, personal and business services, training and development and recruit­ment. According to the Gender Equality Unit (2000) women tend to start businesses in the general services, tourism and financial services sectors, while men tend to start more businesses in manufacturing, construction and technology. For men, these first three industry sectors accounted for half of all early stage entrepreneurship as compared to 77 per cent for women. However, some newer evidence suggests that female entre­preneurs are setting up and running the so-called new economy companies in the high technology and professional services sectors, as well as in other non-traditional businesses (McGowan & Henry, 2004). Moreover, many females operate their business on a part time capacity and use their home as a business base (Small Business Service, 2003; Marlow & Carter, 2004). Technological and telecommunications improvements now more than ever, make it possible for women to operate businesses from home. This in part resolves the child-or-dependent care issue in that women can stay in the workforce and also be with their chil­dren. Given this it is questioned if ICT is used to its full potential in an integrated manner in female operated business to facilitate the operations of a business irrespective ofthe nature ofthe product/ service offering.