Emirati women are self-motivated to succeed, a study at the Abu Dhabi University (ADU), in collaboration with Qatar University, has concluded.
The study of 224 Emirati women entrepreneurs was carried out to understand the characteristics and determining factors behind their motivation to excel.
“We wanted to know what the factors are that motivate them to start their businesses,” says Dr Fauzia Jabeen, assistant professor of management at ADU.
There are different factors that motivate women to work or start their own businesses.
Women work, whether for their own businesses or in the public or private sectors, for two main reasons: They either have to work, or they want to work.
The study shows that the desire for higher income is not a key motivating factor for female Emiratis aspiring to become entrepreneurs. The standard of living in the UAE significantly reduces the economic reasons for women to seek employment, leaving one main reason for them to go to work: because they want to.
“In the UAE, most women do not go to work out of economic necessity. They do so because they have a need for self-accomplishment or to help others, and want to contribute to the success and reputation of their country,” says Dr Jabeen.
Women-owned enterprises represent one of the fastest-growing segments of new business worldwide. In the US, women entrepreneurs own about 10 per cent of new businesses, while in Thailand, that number rockets to about 45 per cent.
Women in the UAE account for about half the population, and are at the forefront of the workforce in the government sector as well as a growing number in the private sector.
“13,000 women own about 20,000 companies,” Fatima Al Jaber, chairperson of the board of directors of Emirates Businesswomen Council, recently told a forum on the private sector’s contributions in development. The forum was organised by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in UAE.
The main sector in which Emirati women operate their businesses are the retail (43 per cent) and service sectors (56 per cent). Women Emirati entrepreneurs invest in fields such as trade, industry finance, real estate, tourism, fairs and exhibitions, construction and services.
While women entrepreneurs have different characteristics due to social, cultural and religious factors, they do have in common certain attributes that are considered essential ingredients, said Al Jaber.
“They are visionaries with a strong desire to succeed. They are not afraid of failure, and take failure as lessons learned. They are enthusiastic about their ideas with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate,” she said.
“They are also financially savvy and good negotiators.”
Research shows that education is a key contributing factor to the success of entrepreneurs.
This stands UAE women in good stead, as statistics reveal that 77 per cent of UAE females continue on to higher education, which is actually 24 per cent more than the proportion of UAE national men enrolled in higher education institutions.
Higher education, the research shows, is associated with greater business success. About 57 per cent of women entrepreneurs have degrees or have completed post-graduate education, and only 3 per cent have succeeded in business without a college education.
The UAE government has also encouraged women’s participation in economic development. The National Strategy for the Advancement of Women which was established in 2002 affirmed a strategic purpose “to activate the role of women and their positive participation.”
“The Ministry of Commerce and the Federation of UAE Chambers encourage women entrepreneurs and provide them with the environment and facilities that help them to achieve their goals and reach the success they are aspiring to achieve in their businesses,” added Al Jaber.
A major contributor to the rise of women-owned businesses is family support. The research revealed that the support and encouragement of family members positively influenced the success of women’s entrepreneurs.
“My father was a businessman; he gave me a great push to succeed. He believed in my abilities, and encouraged me to open my own business, which I did. Later on, my husband too was very supportive,” says Amani Al Omran.
“I now have two successful businesses: a store for branded scarves and a training management consultancy firm. I wouldn’t have made it without my father’s support,” she adds.
Aisha Yousef too, says she was supported by her family to launch “Photographya Studio”.
“My family was always supportive and trusted my knowledge and capabilities to launch a successful business, especially my mother, brother and sisters. They were regularly following up on my projects, development and ideas,” says Aisha.
Azza Al Qubaisi, the renowned jewellery designer also credits her family for her success.
“They trusted me enough to give me the time to establish my business without being demanding, and released me from some family restrictions,” she says.
A research conducted by Duke University shows that 18 per cent of seed money and financing initially come from family.
“The success of Emirati families in the international business arena has created generations of business-savvy people, historically mainly among the male population. This level of talent is a source Emirati women have leveraged well in regards to learning from their male role models in the family,” adds Dr Jabeen.
“In seeking advice or finance for business, Emirati women also look within family first before addressing other sources such as banks,” she says.
“My father supported me financially, I actually didn’t need to turn to banks for 15 years,” says Amani.
Says Azza: “My family supported me financially. No bank would have accepted to support an art related business.”
Aisha also had the same to say recalling: “My startup capital was a small amount of money I had and I didn’t need any financial support.”
Starting a new business calls for demands a large amount of time and attention. As women have maintained the traditional role of caring for their own children, the support of family members (sisters, mother, etc.) remains an essential support element for an entrepreneur to meet the demands of both job and children.
“After marriage, my husband shared the home responsibilities with me, especially during my pregnancy. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to keep the business successful,” says Azza.
