Women Entrepreneurs' Leadership Style: Individual Level Qualitative Study using the Case Study Strategy

Abstract

This is a qualitative research investigating the leadership style of ten women entrepreneurs who are leading their small and medium businesses in the light of leadership grid and Hofstede' s Cultural Profile of Pakistan. The literature presents a specific leadership style of women in leadership positions which is people oriented, nurturing and caring. The current research was carried out specifically on the women leaders in SMEs and the data collected through in-depth interviews from the ten women entrepreneurs who were leading their organization, presented a variety of leadership styles. Furthermore, this research also presents the determinants of their leadership style which can help in developing women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. The research findings presented that majority of the women entrepreneurs in SMEs had high concern for people as well as production and were team leaders. Furthermore, education was the common determinant among the leaders. The contribution of their brought up and work experience also determined their leadership style. The research suggests further quantitative work to be carried out specifically on women leaders in SMEs to find out the leadership style of women entrepreneurs.