The Support of Internal Factors in Women Entrepreneurship in Albania

Abstract

Women entrepreneurship is essential for economic and social development in Albania as traditionally the role of women and girls in Albanian society has been related to the family and household. There exists a gender gap in terms of women entrepreneurship, in the last years the number of businesses owned by women has declined. The Covid-19 pandemic was not favourable for women entrepreneurs in Albania, they did not benefit from any specific support even though women entrepreneurship is among policy making priorities. Internal factors that influence women entrepreneurship are family which is related to marital status and parental obligations, motivation that can be determined by necessity and opportunity and self-efficacy that is based on a perception of the women about her own skills and abilities. This paper explores the role of internal factors on women entrepreneurship in Albania. 8 semi-structured interviews were realized with women entrepreneurs in the region of Durres and Tirana during winter 2023. Soft skills, opportunity driven motivation were among the most important internal factors. Whereas the importance of the role of family and partners is being transformed.

Received: 2 October 2023 / Accepted: 10 November 2023 / Published: 23 November 2023