From east to west: work-life balance strategies of Dubai’s women entrepreneurs

Purpose This study examines how women entrepreneurs from Eastern and Western backgrounds in Dubai navigate work-life balance (WLB) challenges within the city's distinctive multicultural setting. It examines the impact of cultural dimensions on WLB strategies and delves into the intricate relationship between gender expectations, cultural norms, and entrepreneurial demands in shaping their experiences. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study, grounded in an interpretive-constructivist and phenomenological approach, involved semi-structured interviews with 50 women entrepreneurs (25 Eastern and 25 Western) in Dubai, aged 32–60. Recruited via the UAE Entrepreneurship Association, data were analyzed using open coding per Strauss and Corbin (1997), revealing four main and fifteen secondary themes. Findings Eastern women entrepreneurs achieve WLB through collectivist values, emotional intelligence, and relational integration, while Western counterparts emphasize individualism, structure and efficiency. Despite differing cultural orientations, both adopt hybrid strategies that merge personal values with Dubai's dynamic business environment, reflecting adaptive approaches to WLB across cultural and organizational contexts. Originality/value This study advances WLB research by examining how culture, gender, and entrepreneurship intersect in Dubai's multicultural hub. Extending Border Theory and Hofstede's dimensions, it reveals how women entrepreneurs transform cultural collisions into strategic advantages, developing adaptive strategies that foster work-life harmony within a dynamic global context.