In the rapidly evolving economic landscape of Saudi Arabia, the empowerment of women entrepreneurs has emerged as a critical focus area for sustainable development and inclusive growth. Recent groundbreaking research sheds light on the intricate interplay of psychological, market, economic, socio-cultural, entrepreneurial orientation, and education and skills factors that collectively influence women’s empowerment in new venture creation. This comprehensive study not only advances theoretical understanding but also offers actionable insights for policymakers, institutions, and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem aiming to amplify women’s economic contributions nationwide.
At the heart of the findings lies the recognition that psychological factors play an indispensable role in shaping women’s entrepreneurial journeys. Confidence, resilience, and a robust entrepreneurial mindset are not merely abstract traits but vital psychological assets that enable women to navigate and overcome the unique challenges posed by Saudi Arabia’s dynamic business environment. The research elucidates how psychological well-being acts synergistically with external market conditions to determine entrepreneurial outcomes, highlighting the need for tailored psychological support programs that nurture these internal capacities.
Simultaneously, market factors including competitive dynamics, consumer demand, and access to networks profoundly influence women’s ability to initiate and sustain business ventures. The research underscores a noticeable gap in market access for women entrepreneurs compared to their male counterparts, thereby identifying a critical barrier that requires strategically crafted interventions. Improved access to markets can significantly enhance the scalability of women-led businesses and create a ripple effect that promotes inclusive economic participation.
Economic factors remain paramount among the influences shaping women’s entrepreneurial empowerment. The study meticulously analyzes the impact of financial inclusion, access to capital, and economic incentives in lowering entry barriers. Economic empowerment through grants, subsidies, and startup financing emerges as a decisive driver enabling women to transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises. The research advocates for targeted financial programs that are concurrently sensitive to women’s socio-economic contexts and entrepreneurial ambitions.
Socio-cultural dimensions also feature prominently, revealing the layered complexities of gender norms, societal expectations, and cultural attitudes that often limit women’s entrepreneurial potential. The study advances the discourse by identifying mechanisms through which socio-cultural constraints can be constructively challenged and reshaped to foster a more supportive environment. Leveraging cultural assets while progressively dismantling inhibiting beliefs can catalyze broader social acceptance and encouragement of female entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurial orientation, encompassing innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, and proactiveness, is another vital factor dissected by the research. The findings illustrate that women entrepreneurs who exhibit strong entrepreneurial orientations tend to perform better and sustain their ventures longer. Yet, prevailing gender biases and limited exposure to entrepreneurial role models restrict the development of such orientations among women. The research, therefore, recommends fostering environments where women can cultivate entrepreneurial attitudes through experiential learning and mentorship.
Education and skills development are recurrent themes throughout the study, positioning them as foundational pillars for women’s empowerment in entrepreneurship. The research provides robust evidence correlating high-quality education and vocational training with enhanced entrepreneurial capacities. Investing in accessible and relevant educational programs tailored for women entrepreneurs not only equips them with critical business acumen but also bolsters their self-efficacy, which is crucial for driving innovation and competitiveness.
Importantly, the study contextualizes these multifaceted factors within Saudi Arabia’s broader national vision, particularly Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and increase women’s participation in the labor force. By aligning women’s entrepreneurial empowerment initiatives with national development goals, the research offers a strategic blueprint for sustainable advancement that transcends mere economic metrics and embraces social transformation.
This research transcends local relevance by offering globally transferable insights. It emphasizes the value of knowledge-sharing mechanisms that facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative approaches across countries. Such collaboration is essential to build equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems where women worldwide can leverage shared expertise and resources to unlock their full potential, thereby contributing to global sustainable development.
Among the most actionable policy recommendations is the creation of comprehensive women entrepreneurship empowerment programs. These programs should holistically integrate psychological support, educational advancement, and economic assistance to address the multifactorial challenges women face. The establishment of mentorship schemes linking budding female entrepreneurs with experienced businesswomen is identified as a high-impact strategy to foster knowledge transfer, confidence building, and networking opportunities.
Furthermore, the research highlights the necessity for the Saudi government to develop curated financial assistance schemes, such as grants earmarked for women-led startups, to dismantle systemic economic barriers. These initiatives would not only enhance access to capital but also incentivize innovation and risk-taking among women entrepreneurs. Simultaneously, upgrading entrepreneurship training curricula and vocational education is critical to equip women with the skills required to thrive in competitive markets and evolving industries, especially in technology-driven sectors.
The intertwined dimensions explored in the study signal the urgency for a unified policy framework that addresses not only economic dimensions but also psychological and socio-cultural considerations. This multidimensional approach is presented as a paradigm that can fundamentally transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, yielding broad-based benefits aligned with the objectives of sustainable development and economic diversification.
Given the pace of global economic changes and the accelerating role of digital technologies, empowering women entrepreneurs emerges as not just a social imperative but a strategic economic priority. The findings serve as a clarion call for cross-sector collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to collectively foster environments conducive to women’s entrepreneurial growth and empowerment.
In summary, this research offers an unprecedented synthesis of factors influencing women’s entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia, underpinned by rigorous empirical analysis and rooted in real-world applicability. Its findings provide a robust evidence base that can guide the design of targeted policies, programs, and support systems, ultimately fostering an entrepreneurial landscape where women can lead, innovate, and drive sustainable economic transformation.
As Saudi Arabia positions itself at the forefront of regional economic modernization, the empowerment of women entrepreneurs stands out as a key lever for inclusive and resilient growth. By addressing psychological, market, economic, socio-cultural, and educational factors in concert, stakeholders can harness the full spectrum of women’s entrepreneurial potential, thereby contributing to national prosperity and paving the way for a more equitable global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The implications of this study extend beyond policy formulation to inspire a paradigm shift in societal attitudes toward gender roles in business. Encouragingly, the research highlights emerging trends of increased female participation and success in entrepreneurship, suggesting that strategic interventions rooted in empirical evidence can accelerate progress toward gender equality and economic empowerment.
Finally, the collaborative and knowledge-driven approach advocated by this research offers a powerful model for countries worldwide seeking to unlock the transformative power of women entrepreneurs. As nations increasingly recognize the intersectionality of factors shaping entrepreneurial success, integrative frameworks that address psychological, socio-cultural, and economic components will be essential for fostering resilient and inclusive innovation ecosystems.
Subject of Research:
The study investigates the effects of psychological, market, economic, socio-cultural, entrepreneurial orientation, and educational and skills factors on empowering women for new venture creation in Saudi Arabia.
Article Title:
The effect of psychological, market, economic, socio-cultural, entrepreneurial orientation and educational and skills factors on empowering women for new venture creation.
Article References:
Al-Mamary, Y.H., Abubakar, A.A. & Abdulmohsen Alfalah, A. The effect of psychological, market, economic, socio-cultural, entrepreneurial orientation and educational and skills factors on empowering women for new venture creation.
Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 840 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05265-1
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