Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Investigating the Capabilities and Challenges of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs in Guilan Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Aliakbar Salaripuor 1
Fatemeh Yousefiview 2
Benyamin Hasanzadeh baghi 3

1 Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.

2 Researcher, Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Gilan University, Rasht, Iran.

3 Researcher, Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Art and Architecture, Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22034/jss.2025.2062617.1904
Abstract
The role of women entrepreneurs has become a key driver of economic and social transformation. Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Gilan, active in sectors such as handicrafts, tourism, and services, significantly contribute to local development. This qualitative study examined the challenges they face and their role in economic and social progress, considering their individual characteristics. Twenty-eight experienced women were purposively selected, and were interviewed by semi-structured in-depth methods. Through Analyzing the data, following Graneheim and Lundman method three main themes appeared: key constraints in business development, women’s role in social and economic transformation, and their capabilities and success strategies. Findings indicate that success arises from the interplay of institutional and financial limitations, social and familial support, and individual capacities. Accordingly, resilience, managerial skills, and social networks enable women to overcome barriers and build sustainable, impactful businesses. Thus, women’s entrepreneurship functions not only as an economic activity but also as a catalyst for broader social, cultural, and economic change.

Keywords

Economic development
Qualitative research
Participatory economy
Indigenous entrepreneurship
Guilan

Abd Rahman, S. Mohb Said, H. & Rashid Ali, S. (2020). “xploring Development of Indigenous Entrepreneurship among the Semai community at Batang Padang District Perak, Malaysia”, Tourism Development Centre International Conference, 3, 269-280.

Alhajiali M. & Salisu, Y.  (2019).   “Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Strategy for National Development”, Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 22(3): 1-13.
Errico, S. (2017). “The rights of indigenous peoples in Asia”, International Labour Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Hindle, K., & Moroz, P. W. (2010). “Indigenous entrepreneurship as a research field: Developing a definitional framework from the emerging canon”, International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 357–385.
Kuang, Y. & Bu, Y. (2018). “Evaluation and Prediction of Urban Entrepreneurship Environment in China: A Case of Guangxhou City”, Journal of Servic Science and Management, 11(4), 414-432
Meyer, N. (2018). “Research on Female Entrepreneurship: Are we doing enough”, Olish Journal of Management Studies, 17(2).
Panda, S. (2018). “Constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries: review and ranking”, Gender in Management: An International Journal, 33(4), 315-331.
Penco, L., Ivaldi, E., Bruzzi, C. & Musso E.  (2020). “Knowledge-Based Urban Environments and Entrepreneurship: Inside Eu Cities”, Cities, 96, 1-17.
Peredo, A. & James, C. (2006). “Toward a Theory of Community-Based Enterprise”, The Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 309-328.
Ratten, V.  (2023). “Entrepreneurship: Definitions, opportunities, challenges, and future directions”, Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 42(5), 79–90.
Rudhumbu N., Du Plessis, E. C. & Maphosa, C. (2020). “Challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Botswana: revisiting the role of entrepreneurship education”, Journal of International Education in Business, 13(2), 183-201.
Sadeghi Amroabadi, B. & Boudaghi, A. (2021). “Identifying and ranking factors affecting women's economic participation in Khuzestan province with an emphasis on interpretive structural modeling”, Journal of Economic & Developmental Sociology, 10(1), 1-24.
Sajjad, M., Kaleem N., Chani, M. I. & Ahmed, M. (2020).  “Worldwide role of women entrepreneurs in economic development”, AsiaPacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 14(2), 151- 160.
Tipu, A. & Sarker, A. (2019). “Developing an Integrative Dynamic Framework of Indigenous Entrepreneurship: The Case of United Arab Emirates”, International Journal of Public Administration, 43(5), 441-451.

  • Receive Date 08 June 2025
  • Revise Date 02 September 2025
  • Accept Date 24 November 2025
  • First Publish Date 24 November 2025
  • Publish Date 22 May 2025

Home

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us