The Innovation Enigma

This study examines the drivers of innovation in women-led businesses, with a focus on networks, empowerment, resilience, and sustainability as key factors influencing innovation outcomes. The term “Innovation Enigma” suggests a paradox where women entrepreneurs, despite facing systemic barriers, exhibit unique innovation behaviors. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews (n = 30) and quantitative surveys (n = 162) to explore the experiences of women entrepreneurs. The qualitative interviews provide in-depth insights into how empowerment and networks drive innovation, while the surveys measure the impact of resilience and sustainability on business performance. Findings reveal that networks and empowerment initiatives are crucial for fostering innovation, while resilience and sustainability provide the foundational elements for long-term success. This article contributes to entrepreneurship literature by extending existing theoretical frameworks—Schumpeterian innovation theory, open innovation, and resource-based view—by integrating gendered perspectives into the study of innovation. This research highlights how women entrepreneurs can use these factors to navigate challenges and generate long-term innovative solutions, contributing novel insights into the dynamics of innovation in women-led businesses.