Gender Differences in Entrepreneurial Orientation: Evidence from Ghana

Abstract

This study explores the differences in the entrepreneurial orientation between men and women using data from a survey of 300 small and medium-scale (SMEs) enterprises from Accra, Ghana, using the Covin and Slevin entrepreneurial orientation scale. The findings of the study indicate that there are significant differences between the levels of entrepreneurial orientation among the two genders. These differences are in risk-taking, innovativeness and proactiveness. Men are found to be more entrepreneurial oriented than women. This is mainly attributable to the different socio-economic conditions that men and women are exposed to. The study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial and gender theory. The findings imply that policies aimed at developing entrepreneurs should be gender sensitive.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Orientation, Gender, Small Business, Enterprise, Ghana