Unravelling the tapestry of female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia - challenges, motivations, and identities

Alturki, Bushra (2025) Unravelling the tapestry of female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia - challenges, motivations, and identities. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

This thesis critically examines female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, focusing on both the traditionally studied urban regions (West, Central, East) and the historically underrepresented Northern and Southern areas. It explores how Saudi women’s entrepreneurial experiences, motivations, and challenges are shaped by the intersections of regional culture, family dynamics, regulatory changes, and socio-economic structures.

Drawing on feminist conceptualisations of agency, intersectionality theory, social feminist theory, and the 5M Framework, the research highlights the complex ways in which gender, class, and regional identity interact to influence entrepreneurial pathways. Central to the study is the role of family, which emerges as both a constraint and an enabler: patriarchal norms continue to impose barriers, yet male relatives, especially fathers and husbands, often provide critical emotional, financial, and symbolic support. These family dynamics vary significantly across regions, reflecting differing degrees of conservatism and socio-cultural expectations.

The thesis further analyses the impact of Saudi Arabia’s recent regulatory reforms, including changes to guardianship laws and women's increased legal autonomy under Vision 2030. While these reforms have expanded formal opportunities for women, the findings reveal that deep-rooted cultural norms, especially in more conservative regions, continue to mediate and often constrain the practical outcomes of these changes. A critical finding is the pervasive threat of harassment, both verbal and sexual, which remains an under-addressed barrier to female entrepreneurial agency and business growth.

Additionally, the study explores how women’s past experiences and social embeddedness shape their entrepreneurial identities and strategic behaviours. Marked contrasts between urban and rural entrepreneurs demonstrate the influence of spatial, familial, and cultural contexts on women’s business practices and aspirations.

The research concludes by calling for regionally tailored policy interventions that account for Saudi Arabia’s internal diversity. It recommends public education initiatives, mentorship programs, financial support mechanisms, and continued legal reforms designed to both dismantle socio-cultural barriers and foster an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Ultimately, the thesis highlights the resilience, adaptability, and agency of Saudi women entrepreneurs while emphasising the need for sustained systemic and cultural change to support their full economic participation. These insights contribute to advancing a more comprehensive, context-sensitive understanding of female entrepreneurship in the Gulf region and beyond.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
Depositing User:	Nicola Veasy
Date Deposited:	05 Nov 2025 12:14
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2025 12:14
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100904
DOI:

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