Qualitative Study on the Barriers to Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Tech Industry

The study investigates the challenges and experiences of women entrepreneurs in the technology industry, emphasising the significance of gendered learning and belonging. Women in technology often face exclusion and stereotyping, which impacts their professional growth and entrepreneurial readiness. The study underscores the importance of contextualising entrepreneurial learning within a gender framework, revealing that current entrepreneurial learning models often overlook the critical influence of gender. The research employs a qualitative methodology, utilising open-ended structured interviews with a purposive sample of ten female entrepreneurs in the UAE’s tech industry. This approach enables a deeper understanding of the participant’s thoughts, feelings, and behavioural patterns that cannot be quantified, providing rich insights into the gender-specific challenges they encounter. Findings indicate that sociocultural barriers, such as limited access to capital and networks, along with psychological barriers like stereotype threat, significantly hinder women’s entrepreneurial endeavours. Strategies to mitigate these barriers include diversity training, promoting positive female role models, and offering workshops to enhance leadership and negotiation skills. These initiatives aim to boost women’s self-efficacy and confidence, enabling them to navigate the male-dominated tech industry successfully. The study advocates for more inclusive and gender-sensitive entrepreneurial learning frameworks that acknowledge and address the unique challenges faced by women in technology. By fostering an environment that supports gender diversity and equitable measures, organisations can enhance women’s participation and success in the tech sector. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender and entrepreneurship, calling for a shift in how entrepreneurial learning is perceived and implemented, ensuring it is inclusive and supportive of women’s experiences and aspirations in the technology industry.