An investigation into the innovative practices adopted by female entrepreneurs in Algeria

The research aims at making recommendations to female entrepreneurs in Algeria on the ways they can use innovative practices to support their business growth. The objective of the research has been to understand the Algerian entrepreneurial environment, female entrepreneurship, and innovation practices in Algeria and the purpose of the use of innovative practices in female-owned businesses in Algeria. To explore the factors that influence the innovative practices positively adopted by the female-owned businesses in Algeria and understand the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in Algeria in the use of innovative practices. Further, research objectives include determining the impact of innovative practices on female-owned businesses’ performance and recommending a suitable framework to support female entrepreneurs in Algeria in terms of innovation practices.For the attainment of research objectives, the selected research methodology was qualitative research. The research utilizes interpretive philosophy along with exploratory nature of research that has allowed the researcher to acquire high quality of qualitative information. The purpose of selecting a qualitative methodology is to gain an in-depth analysis of the research. The research selected both primary and secondary data sources. The sample size of the research includes 15 cases of female entrepreneurial businesses in Algeria. The data was collected using an interview questionnaire that was based on open-ended questions. For analysing the gathered data, thematic analysis was used to present the data in as understandable manners. The data analysis involved Nvivo software that has facilitated in understanding, realizing and interpreting the themes from the research study.The data findings disclosed several innovative practices that female entrepreneurs can use to enhance the performance of their organisations. The analysis section proposed different themes based on the research findings. The findings disclosed that innovative practices include recruiting and hiring talented employees, training and developing (T&D) employees, technological advancements, cultural change, process innovation, marketing innovation, organisational innovation, technological innovation, and sales innovation are some of the major practices that female entrepreneurs can use to boost their businesses. Besides, the findings revealed that growth expectation is one of the major drivers for the innovative practices, the adaptation of technological programs also considered as innovative ways. The study concludedthat finance and lack of skilled and qualified human capital are the major barriers to the adaptation of innovation. However, through adopting innovative practices entrepreneur could able to increase their performance level.