Analysis of women's social entrepreneurship in underdeveloped, emerging and developed economies: a multicultural exploratory study

PurposeThe aim of this study is to understand the entrepreneurial journey of women social entrepreneurs in different countries in underdeveloped, emerging and developed economies. It presents multicultural and unique analysis of women social entrepreneurs' experiences in various countries.Design/methodology/approachThis research is based on a multiple case study design using qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews from 12 women social entrepreneurs. Considering the focus of this study on underdeveloped, emerging and developed countries, respondents were discreetly selected from different countries, namely, Afghanistan, Canada, France, India, Ukraine and the USA.FindingsResults of women social entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, Canada, France, India, Ukraine and the USA explore their motivations, challenges and risks, sources of funding and success in their entrepreneurial journey.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to 12 cases of women social entrepreneurs across Afghanistan, Canada, France, India, Ukraine and the USA. However, the saturation of the interviews carried out does not call into question the validity of our results. Higher number of respondents may increase generalizability.Practical implicationsThis study provides an in-depth analysis of women social entrepreneurs' journey including their challenges. Challenges, if addressed, will lead to an increased number of women social entrepreneurs around the world.Originality/valueThis study is valuable as it focuses on multiple cases of women social entrepreneurs from underdeveloped, developing and developed economies. It explores the distinctive entrepreneurial journey of women social entrepreneurs related to their motivations, challenges and risks, sources of funding and success of their social ventures.