The role of female entrepreneurs in a changing society : Investigating a business field that has experienced rapid change during the past decades

Abstract: Background: Female entrepreneurship has been through a big upswing during the past decades. More women are deciding to start their own business and engage in the business creation world, which is proven to be one of the most important and fast-growing aspects of entrepreneurship worldwide. However, in the past, females who made such decisions have faced many obstacles and resistance in terms of treatment, financial support and combining working and family life. Further, previous research regarding female entrepreneurship and its correlation to societal change proves that the progression is affected by external factors such as governmental institutions, attitudes and fundamental assets (first developed by Baumol in 1990). Purpose: By identifying certain rapid changes that society has been through during the past decades, the purpose of this study is to highlight what these developments mean for female entrepreneurs and their current role in a changing society.  Method: This is a qualitative research based on an inductive approach where semi-structured interviews are the foundation of its empirical findings. The method has adopted the Gioia (2012) method with the purpose of identifying patterns and themes that can generate useful conclusions on the chosen topic.  Conclusion: The findings show that digitalization and technology have been two of the most significant changes in society during the past decades. These have generated more role models, new social networks, better communication and new entrepreneurial fields - all promoting the growth of female entrepreneurship. Combining work and family life seem to be primarily an obstacle and it is no longer a huge disadvantage to be a female when starting a new business. Its developments have resulted in new advantages for investments and gaining opportunities, as well as new entrepreneurial fields.