Success from the perspective of female entrepreneurs

Abstract

The research in the field of entrepreneurial activity is increasing. In addition to classical economic definitions, researchers are trying to capture this phenomenon in subjective terms. Some research focuses on the fact that female entrepreneurs cannot be examined purely on the basis of economic factors, since subjective factors are in many cases more important for women. Within the framework of this study, we are trying to define how female entrepreneurs in Slovakia interpret the concept of success, as well as explore the relationship between subjective and objective success factors. We used a combined research method to answer all these questions, so we conducted a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews were applied as a qualitative part of the research. Our results confirmed the conclusions of previous research focusing on subjective, so-called non-economic goals. It has been confirmed from both quantitative and qualitative perspective that independence gives female entrepreneurs the opportunity to have free time and therefore can perform their family responsibilities more flexibly, which results in being satisfied with their private life. In addition to independence, female entrepreneurs are also proved to be satisfied if they are successful in meeting the objectives they set to achieve by the business they lead. Thus, independence and achievement of goals contribute to personal and corporate satisfaction Together with the achievement of company goals, female entrepreneurs feel successful when their business is constantly evolving. Our research analyses shows that the subjective factors we measured, the factors that do not directly contribute to the entrepreneur's internal satisfaction are economic and objective factors.