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Female Entrepreneurship in East and South-East Asia: Opportunities and challenges

Philippe Debroux, Soka University, Japan

 - opportunity to acquire knowledge on the socio-economic roles played by women as entrepreneurs in the region
 - description and analysis of the issue in countries at different stages of economic development and with different socio-economic and cultural environment
 - a broad approach encompassing historical, political, sociological, economics and businesses-related aspects of female entrepreneurship
 - a complex and contrasted portrait of female entrepreneurs, their motives to be an entrepreneur, their desires for risk-taking and self-satisfaction
 - an explanation that while sharing similar ideals, expectations and willingness to achieving their objectives, there exist profound differences among but also within the different Asian countries in regard of female entrepreneurship characteristics

This detailed study of female entrepreneurship in Asia examines the high economic growth that is increasingly driven by market-oriented economic reforms favouring entrepreneurship. There is a higher awareness by women of their political and socio-economic rights and recognition by society at large of social legitimacy of women pursuing business activities in their own right. Female Entrepreneurship in East and South-East Asia assesses socio-cultural and economic factors influencing female entrepreneurship in Asia as well as the entrepreneurial process and the tools and challenges that accompany it.

ISBN 1 84334 398 3
ISBN-13: 978 1 84334 398 1
August 2010
260 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£70.00 / US$120.00 / €90.00

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About the author

Professor Philippe Debroux is a Professor of International Management at Soka University (Japan). He is also visiting Professor of International Management and Human Resource Management on a regular basis at Hanoi Economic University, Tsukuba University (Japan), Rennes University Center for Japanese Studies (France) and Brussels Solvay Business School MBA program.

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Contents

Introduction
Structure of this book An uncertain and zigzagging journey A fragmented and complex image of women at home and at work Notes

The rising tide of entrepreneurship
Introduction The growing importance of entrepreneurship in economic development The growing legitimacy of entrepreneurship The changing roles and status of women in the business system The specific role of women entrepreneurs Progress amid uncertainties in Japan and Korea Entrepreneurship as key to future development in Vietnam and Malaysia Notes

Historical and current socio-political and economic context of female entrepreneurship
Introduction A constant struggle under changing social norms and economic regimes Female entrepreneurship in its historical socio-economic and political context From entrepreneurs to glorified housewife status again Korean women in a Confucian developmental state The growth of entrepreneurship in a socialist state A new economic policy to overcome the sequels of colonialism Notes

Evolution of the concept of female entrepreneurship and the reality of women-owned businesses
Introduction Gradual changes in the perception of female entrepreneurship De-housewifization and entrepreneurship Compressed modernity and entrepreneurship in Asia Towards a contingent convergence with the West? Towards the development of a ‘free agent’ society in Japan and Korea Steady but unspectacular rise of Japanese women entrepreneurs A rapid increase of Korean women businesses A slow enlargement of business activities in Malaysia A strong focus on trading in a fast-moving Vietnam The internet as a vehicle for female entrepreneurship development But a persistent overall weakness in ICT-related business A need for enlarging and upgrading business capabilities in competitive markets The rise of necessity entrepreneurs Notes

The institutional environment of female entrepreneurship
Introduction A level field for women entrepreneurs? Asian women in politics A reinforcement of the regulatory environment Influence of a gendered environment on laws and regulations The influence of non-business-related regulations The need for clear arrangements and guidelines The need for a safety net for necessity entrepreneurs Childcare and entrepreneurship The role of women’s organizations Notes

Women in the labor market
Introduction The relationship between occupation and entrepreneurship Access to education and networking Japanese women in the labor market: the slow increase of female managers Steady but slow progress on the labor market of Malaysian women High labor participation in a changing business environment A proactive government and a still-gendered labor market Increase of women’s atypical employment The consequence of the M-shaped curve for entrepreneurship Glass ceilings and entrepreneurship Notes

Public policy supporting female entrepreneurship
Introduction A growing and enlarging array of policies A decentralized policy with little direct public support in Japan A proactive policy centered on ICT in Korea A comprehensive policy to upgrade the technical capabilities of women entrepreneurs An expected growing role of women entrepreneurs in the development of the private secto Assessment of public policy The limits of free-for-all systems Notes

Results of the field survey
Results related to the first category of respondents Results covering the two categories of respondents Notes

Conclusions
Notes