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Value of formalisation for women entrepreneurs in developing contexts: a review and research agenda

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Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:45
Version 1 2023-06-09, 08:30
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:45 authored by Mirela XhenetiMirela Xheneti, Adrian Madden, Shova Thapa KarkiShova Thapa Karki
Formalisation is constantly being proposed as of great benefit to business expansion and success. This claim however has not been previously tested through a review of the empirical evidence, especially in relation to the large number of women in the developing world that operate in the informal economy. Therefore, our aim in this review is to systematise the current empirical evidence on gender, the informal economy and formalisation using a narrative synthesis of 76 papers. The papers were analysed along three main analytical themes – identity, institutions and, constraints and preferences, highlighting their conceptualisation in studies of different academic disciplines – economics, sociology, entrepreneurship and development. The review calls for more accurate accounts of formalisation decisions by widening the lens through which formalisations decisions are conceptualised. These should take account of the rich contextual and temporal dimensions central to these decisions, and recognise that gender alone is not a sufficient factor in explaining women’s choices in the informal economy. The review also highlights limitations in relation to the limited conceptual and empirical evidence on which development priorities such as formalisation are set. We propose a research agenda that centres on the need for conceptual frameworks that are more sensitive towards the multi-dimensional contexts of women’s choices.

Funding

pFACT 5870; CEPR&DFID; PEDL No 3792

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

International Journal of Management Reviews

ISSN

1460-8545

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

21

Page range

3-23

Department affiliated with

  • Strategy and Marketing Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Future of Work Hub Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-10-30

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-01-30

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-10-30

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