Gender attitudes and business venturing in low gender egalitarianism culture: a study of Egypt and Jordan

Abstract This study examines the link between individuals’ gender attitudes and their engagement in entrepreneurial activities. Grounded in the social feminist perspective within institutional theory, the research posits that those holding egalitarian views on gender are more inclined to participate in business ventures. The analysis focuses on Egypt and Jordan, where institutional frameworks of gender-based discrimination significantly shape social dynamics. Employing an instrumental variable approach to address endogeneity concerns, the findings suggest a positive association between egalitarian gender attitudes and involvement in entrepreneurship. This relationship appears particularly pronounced for women, older individuals, and those with higher educational attainment. Given the limited understanding of how gender attitudes influence entrepreneurial engagement, this study contributes to the literature by identifying which attitudes may foster greater involvement in business venturing. Furthermore, it adds value by examining the relatively underexplored contexts of Egypt and Jordan.