An examination of the impact of entrepreneurial leadership factors on the venture growth intentions of women in rural, regional and remote enterprises

An examination of the impact of entrepreneurial leadership factors on the venture growth intentions of women in rural, regional and remote enterprises

Women’s entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development, job creation and innovation. However, women entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas, face unique challenges that hinder their business growth. Entrepreneurial Leadership (EL) is a crucial factor in influencing venture growth and success, encompassing qualities like vision, risk-taking, and the ability to inspire. Studies have shown a positive relationship between entrepreneurial and leadership competencies, emphasising the importance of integrating these dimensions. This highlights the significance of examining the impact of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) on the growth intentions of women entrepreneurs in rural Australia, as well as their self-perception as leaders in this context. This PhD thesis aims to address the research gap in understanding the impact of entrepreneurial leadership (EL) factors on the venture growth intentions of women in rural, regional and remote (RRR) areas of Australia. It consists of three research studies that investigate specific research questions that relate to EL identity, entrepreneurial passion, EL competencies, predictors of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and growth intentions. The study adopts a quantitative research design in alignment with a positivist paradigm, emphasising its capacity to systematically quantify and analyse the precise relationships between entrepreneurial leadership (EL) factors and growth intentions among rural women entrepreneurs in Queensland. This choice ensures a rigorous, data-driven, and objective exploration of these crucial elements within the study's empirical and scientific framework. The study employs an online survey that was distributed to women entrepreneurs in rural and regional Queensland, Australia. The collected data includes variables, such as EL identity, entrepreneurial passion, EL competencies and predictors of the TPB. Partial least squares structural equation modelling is employed to analyse the data and evaluate the complex relationships among the variables. The findings highlight a positive relationship between EL identity and growth intention and passion. Moreover, EL competency is positively associated with growth intentions. The study identifies the mediating role of various factors, including attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and EL, in the relationship between EL identity and growth intentions. These findings contribute to the understanding of women’s entrepreneurship in RRR areas and have implications for policy development and interventions aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs. By developing a theoretical model for growth intentions and exploring the impact of EL factors, this study provides valuable insights to empower and foster the growth and success of rural women entrepreneurs. Although the study acknowledges limitations, such as the cross-sectional design and the specific demographic of the sample, it opens new avenues for understanding women’s entrepreneurship in RRR areas and presents a novel model for growth intentions. The practical implications of these findings support and promote women’s entrepreneurship thereby driving economic development and job creation and empowering women entrepreneurs in RRR communities.

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