Author(s):
1. Karen Howells, European University of Lefke , Cyprus
2. Branko Krivokapic Skoko, Charles Sturt University, Austria

Abstract:
North Cyprus has a strong patriarchal culture where social gender segregation plays a major part in modern life, yet to outsiders the culture appears to be like any other European nation. A research study was constructed to investigate the entrepreneurs of the region, both male and female, to identify factors that influence their business sector choices, to determine the depth of patriarchal influence on their enterprise choice. The study is the first into entrepreneurship in North Cyprus. A mixed methodology was chosen to capture data, as it was essential to understand the variety of entrepreneurship in North Cyprus, as well as understanding some of the entrepreneurs’ problems in depth. A questionnaire was administered to one thousand entrepreneurs, using the block sampling with the drop and collect methodology, which reveals the variety and magnitude of entrepreneurship, both male and female, in North Cyprus. The qualitative analysis included thirty in-depth interviews, again with both male and female entrepreneurs, to find out their specific problems in their difficult economic climate, entrepreneurship exposure and experience, and some insight into the motivation for this entrepreneurship. Analysis of the study showed that female entrepreneurs in North Cyprus have much in common with their Western counterparts, and while they are restricted in terms of business sector choices this is more to do with the economic restrictions of enterprise under embargo conditions than gender issues. The pull factor was strongly identified as the major factor for selecting entrepreneurship as a career for female entrepreneurs in the region, and women do not have the financial constraints of other European entrepreneurs. Turkish Cypriots enjoy the benefit of strong support from their families, in terms of finance to start an enterprise, and logistic help in the running of the enterprise. The implication of this research is female entrepreneurs in North Cyprus have a distinctive perception of entrepreneurship, somewhat shaped by their traditional patriarchal society, yet also modern in viewpoint with no restrictions on the type of enterprise they start in terms of gender. This research will contribute to the understanding of female entrepreneurship in strong patriarchal cultures, including Islamic nations and other regions.

Key words:
female entrepreneurship, business sector choice, gender issues, North Cyprus

Date of abstract submission:
11.02.2014.

Conference:
REDETE 2014 - Researching Economic Development and Entrepreneurship in Transition Economies