Configuring entrepreneurial job satisfaction: a gendered analysis of personal, relational, and work factors across the MENA region

Purpose This study explores how entrepreneurial job satisfaction is shaped by the interplay of personal, relational, and contextual factors, with particular attention to gender differences. It investigates how configurations of partnership status, parental responsibilities, individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO), and job autonomy contribute to high job satisfaction among entrepreneurs in the MENA region. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on Role Theory, Job Characteristics Theory (JCT), and the concept of IEO, the research employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on original survey data from 3,757 entrepreneurs across six MENA countries. This configurational approach identifies two sufficient pathways for men and three distinct pathways for women leading to high entrepreneurial job satisfaction. Findings The analysis reveals that partnership status is a consistent enabler of job satisfaction across genders. However, the influence of IEO, job autonomy, and parental responsibilities varies. For men, high IEO combined with partnership status or low parental demands alongside partnership are sufficient for satisfaction. For women, three equifinal pathways emerge, all anchored in partnership status but differing in combinations of IEO, autonomy, and family demands. Autonomy appears to be a context-dependent factor rather than a universal driver of satisfaction. Originality/value This study challenges traditional linear models of entrepreneurial satisfaction by offering a nuanced, gender-sensitive, and configurational perspective. It contributes to entrepreneurial job satisfaction literature by emphasizing the importance of relational dynamics, gendered role expectations, and the complex realities of entrepreneurial life. The findings also highlight fsQCA's methodological value in uncovering equifinal gendered pathways, informing inclusive policies and support programs that address both personal and professional dimensions of entrepreneurship.