Ecosystem variables associated with a proxy of cultural and social norms in entrepreneurship: women's perspectives from the Global South

Purpose This study aims to analyze how entrepreneurial ecosystem variables are associated with variations in a proxy measure of cultural and social norms, interpreted from women's perspectives in the Global South. Design/methodology/approach We used data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) expert survey for the period 2017–2021, incorporating the perceptions of 764 female experts. A composite index of culture and social norms, derived from the GEM framework, was constructed as the dependent variable. The modeling strategy adopted a sequential analytical approach. First, an ordinary least squares regression model with stepwise variable selection was estimated to identify significant predictors. Subsequently, a multivariate mixed-effects model was applied to capture variations across countries and the educational levels of female experts. Findings The study shows that several enabling conditions of the entrepreneurial ecosystem are positively associated with a more favorable cultural orientation toward entrepreneurship from the perspective of women in the Global South. The coexistence of inclusive public policies, educational opportunities and technological resources corresponds to ecosystems where entrepreneurship is perceived as more legitimate and socially accepted. In contrast, certain government interventions, such as subsidies and overly bureaucratic procedures, display weaker or negative associations. Originality/value This study offers a novel contribution by analyzing culture and social norms as dynamic and relational outcomes of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, rather than as static contextual factors. The research broadens the understanding of how enabling conditions within entrepreneurial ecosystems are associated with women's perceptions of cultural and social norms, providing insights from a region that remains underrepresented in entrepreneurship scholarship.