Influence of Gender Dynamics on the participation of women entrepreneurs in Manufacturing Entrepreneurship in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study explored how gender dynamics shape women’s involvement in manufacturing entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on gender stereotypes, gender identity, gender socialisation, and gender expression. The study was grounded in Social Role Theory, which posits that societal expectations and assigned roles significantly influence individual behaviours and opportunities, particularly in gendered contexts. The main aim was to investigate the extent to which gender dynamics influence women’s participation in manufacturing entrepreneurship in Harare. Specifically, the study sought to: (i) analyse the impact of gender stereotypes on women’s participation; (ii) examine the role of gender identity in women’s entrepreneurial engagement; (iii) assess the influence of gender socialisation on participation; and (iv) determine how gender expression shapes women’s participation. A mixed-methods survey design was adopted, targeting women entrepreneurs in both male dominated and female-dominated manufacturing sectors in Harare. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data, while Pearson correlation and logistic regression were used to test the influence of the independent variables on women’s entrepreneurial participation. The findings revealed strong, positive, and statistically significant relationships between all four variables and women’s participation: gender stereotypes management (r = 0.821, p = 0.012); gender identity (r = 0.857, p = 0.001); gender socialisation (r = 0.889, p = 0.023); and gender expression (r = 0.834, p = 0.003). Gender socialisation demonstrated the strongest association with participation. Qualitative insights further indicated that gender stereotypes hinder participation by reinforcing perceptions of technical incompetence and prioritising domestic responsibilities. Conversely, gender identity and socialisation promoted engagement, as women with strong self-confidence, supportive social networks, and exposure to role models were more likely to participate. Gender expression also mattered: assertiveness, professional presentation, and the ability to navigate male-dominated environments correlated with higher levels of entrepreneurial engagement. The study recommends that policymakers, business support institutions, and educators implement targeted interventions to reduce gender stereotypes, strengthen mentorship and networking platforms, and promote positive gender expression to enhance women’s participation in manufacturing entrepreneurship. Future research should examine additional gender-related factors, conduct comparative studies across regions, and assess the long-term impact of policy and training interventions.