Methodology

FEMENA adopts a mixed-methods approach to capture the full spectrum of women's entrepreneurship, from individual experiences to institutional and cultural influences. The first component consists of quantitative surveys, which allow for the large-scale collection of data on the characteristics of women entrepreneurs, their motivations, obstacles, and successes. This data provides a statistical overview and facilitates comparisons between different countries and contexts.

The methodology also includes in-depth qualitative interviews, which give women entrepreneurs a voice to share their personal experiences and coping strategies in the face of challenges. These interviews provide insights into motivations, perceptions, and constraints that cannot be captured by quantitative data alone.

Comparative case studies are conducted to analyze in detail specific women-led businesses in various Asian and European countries. This comparative analysis helps identify common success factors as well as differences related to cultural, economic, and institutional contexts.

Ethnographic fieldwork complements this approach by directly observing practices and interactions in local environments. It allows for an understanding of the social dynamics, informal networks, and cultural practices that influence entrepreneurial trajectories.

Finally, institutional analysis and policy evaluation examine the legal, regulatory, and political structures that distinguish or hinder women's entrepreneurship. This methodological combination ensures a comprehensive, nuanced, and multidimensional view of the factors shaping women's entrepreneurship across different geographical and institutional contexts.