SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN LEBANON: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ENGAGED IN THE PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION OF LOW-SKILLED WOMEN

  • Inaya Wahidi Lebanese University, Lebanon
  • Typhaine Lebegue EM Normandie, France
Keywords: citizenship theory, entrepreneurial motivation, professional integration of low-skilled women, social entrepreneurship, women social entrepreneurs

Abstract

In a country like Lebanon, where the participation rate of women in the labor force is low, around 24 % in 2014 [1], women social entrepreneurs try to alleviate this problem by targeting Low-skilled women. Our exploratory study aims to identify the motivations of six women social entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs perceive that low-skilled women need to be reintegrated into society and suffer from gender discrimination at hiring in Lebanon. They also have personal experience that has sparked their interest in the employment of low-skilled women. Interactions with marginalized women and gender discrimination lived throughout their personal and professional lives are also considered as important motivators. Finally, women social entrepreneurs point out that working for the professional integration of low-skilled women gives them personal satisfaction while taking a limited risk. Our qualitative exploratory study was supplemented by a quantitative study among fifty-seven low-skilled women to ascertain the motivations of the women social entrepreneurs who employ them. The results seem to confirm the majority of motivations reported by social women entrepreneurs especially in term of personal satisfaction.

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Author Biography

Inaya Wahidi, Lebanese University
Faculty of economics and business administration

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Published
2017-01-31
How to Cite
Wahidi, I., & Lebegue, T. (2017). SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN LEBANON: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ENGAGED IN THE PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION OF LOW-SKILLED WOMEN. EUREKA: Social and Humanities, (1), 36-46. https://doi.org/10.21303/2504-5571.2017.00257
Section
Business, Management and Accounting