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RISK TAKING AS A NECESSITY FOR GROWTH: A STUDY OF THE PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF A SAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (ENTERPRISE, BUSINESS, SELF-ESTEEM)
Abstract
Recent changes in the nature and extent of women's labor force participation have resulted in growing numbers of women entrepreneurs. Despite that dramatic increase, knowledge of successful women entrepreneurs' experiences is extremely limited. Further, while risk-taking has been identified as a critical element of effective entrepreneurship, it has been largely uninvestigated in relation to women. The purpose of this study was to expand our current knowledge of women's experience of successful risk-taking by researching the perceptions, experiences and strategies for effectively coping with risk of a sample of highly successful women entrepreneurs. Participants were eighteen of the most successful contemporary American women entrepreneurs; all are members of the Committee of 200, an organization of pre-eminent women entrepreneurs. Data were generated using guided face-to-face interviews and background questionnaires. Findings which reflect four major themes were reported: formative experiences, significant persons and beliefs learned; perceptions of options and the creation of opportunities; risk and risk-taking; and advice to other women entrepreneurs. The women interviewed generally saw psychological well-being and a positive self-concept as a key dimension of their ability to take risks. Contexts from which these women emerged and in which they developed were perceived as having positively contributed to their self-esteem and to an enhanced sense of options. Being affirmed, valued and taught to value themselves appears to have fostered an expanded view of what was possible as a female. Risks and risk-taking were viewed as opportunities for and necessary for growth. Strategies described for assessment of risks involved both analytic and intuitive approaches. Research, policy and social change implications of findings are discussed with particular emphasis on the importance of tapping the potential contributions of these and other women entrepreneurs.
Subject Area
Psychology
Recommended Citation
SWEENEY, JOAN LOURDES, "RISK TAKING AS A NECESSITY FOR GROWTH: A STUDY OF THE PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF A SAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (ENTERPRISE, BUSINESS, SELF-ESTEEM)" (1985). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI8509609.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI8509609