Women, Entrepreneurship and Development in the Middle East

The Middle East was the region least impacted by the 2008 crisis, has investment systems different from the West, is governed by Islamic Sharia, and has varying forms of governance and institutional organization. This book aims to challenge Global North assumptions about the disempowering impacts of Islamic Sharia and governance and adds new insights to the theorizations of womens entrepreneurship in the Middle East. It will be of interest to researchers, academics, and students in the fields of entrepreneurship, gender, work, and organizations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Middle East emerged as a relatively unscathed region during the 2008 crisis, boasting distinct investment systems, a strong adherence to Islamic Sharia laws, and diverse governance and institutional structures that often defy comprehension for many. While the Middle East has witnessed a modest increase in female entrepreneurship, and scholarly research on the region has flourished, there exists no comprehensive English-language text that brings together critical insights from the Middle East in a single volume.

In delving into the realm of womens entrepreneurship in the Middle East, this book seeks to challenge prevailing notions in the Global North regarding the perceived disempowering effects of Islamic Sharia and governance. It is crucial to understand that the constraints imposed by Islam on womens subjectivity and agency greatly misrepresent religious identity, both for men and women, and the distinct organizational structures of public administration and private sector institutions in the Middle East differ significantly from those in Western regions. This timely text offers valuable expansions and fresh perspectives to the existing theories of womens entrepreneurship in the Middle East. By unraveling spatialized themes and incorporating contemporary themes such as an Islamic science reading of women, work, and venturing; evolving families and entrepreneurship development; women managing social crises; the interplay between Islamization, governance, and women; Islamic feminist activism and entrepreneurship; representations of womens entrepreneurship on social media; and womens collectives driving entrepreneurship through Facebook entrepreneurship, this book provides a comprehensive examination of the field.

This book will appeal to researchers, academics, and students specializing in entrepreneurship, gender studies, work and organization, and related disciplines. By shedding light on the unique dynamics and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in the Middle East, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the region's economic and social landscape.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367637231