Sebastian Kot,

Czestochowa University of Technology,Czestochowa, Poland,

North-West University, South Africa,

sebacat@poczta.zim.pcz.pl

A CROSS-COUNTRY COMPARISON OF THE CHARACTERISTICSOF POLISH AND SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Natanya Meyer,

North-West University, South Africa,

 natanya.meyer@nwu.ac.za

Aneta Broniszewska,

Czestochowa University of Technology,Czestochowa, Poland aneta.broniszewska@op.pl

Abstract.Globally, the promotion of entrepreneurship is considered vital for improved and sustained economic growth. Although the importance of entrepreneurship has been emphasised, there are still many gaps in this research field. One of these gaps includes cross-country comparisons between women entrepreneurs. The purpose of this study was to identity the most important characteristics that these entrepreneurs felt they needed to have as part of running their businesses. A cross country analysis was done between South African and Polish woman entrepreneurs. Eighteen characteristics were identified and results were refined to the ones deemed most important by participants. The results of this study indicated that Polish and South African women entrepreneurs have different perceptions of the characteristics they consider most important in running their businesses. A better understanding of the differences or similarities women entrepreneurs from different countries exhibit towards various entrepreneurial topics, could assist with development and growth of this research field.

Received: March, 2016

1st Revision: June, 2016

Accepted: November, 2016

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2016/9-4/13

JEL Classification:  L26, J16

Keywords: characteristics, cross-country comparison, Poland, SouthAfrica, women entrepreneurs