Introduction
There have been a growing number of women entrepreneurs in the UAE who have shown determination in transforming the region economically. Indeed, women in the region are becoming key investors in various business portfolios or ventures.
They hold a strong passion in providing economic solutions in the region that has immense business potential that has not received full exploitation. Their aim is to make appositive contribution into the region’s economy by creating more job opportunities.
However, they have been facing several complications that threaten to stall their activities (Abdelkarim, 2001). The problems range from policy issues, poor management skills, operational plans and financial management complications.
These issues require absolute mitigation through systematic approaches since the problems hold far reaching effects that can render their business ideas redundant and inconsequential.
Research objective
To investigate the problems that women entrepreneurs face in the UAE that limits their performance in the business sector.
Purpose of the study and methodology
This study provides insightful and factual information pertaining to the problems that limit the performance level of women entrepreneurs in UAE. It aims at equipping stakeholders with credible information to facilitate decision making and policy formulation to foster business development.
Qualitative research methodology is under adoption for this study due to its capacity in driving studies that are set with qualitative ideals. The methodology is appropriate since it ensures the realization of factual, quality, reliable and credible information.
Problems that women entrepreneurs face in UAE
As noted, women entrepreneurs in the UAE region have been facing immense problems that limit their performance capacity in the business sector (Abdelkarim, 2001).
The problems that are socially and economically instigated range from structural issues, strategic, policy formulation, administration skills and financial management issues.
Firstly, UAE women entrepreneurs have not been receiving holistic support from the government in terms of funding, security and formulation of favorable business policies. The government has not been able to provide women with adequate funds or grants to boost their ventures as evident in other settings (Davidson, 2008).
The government has also been reluctant in crafting favorable business policies that are conventionally informed. The unfavorable policies that favor established business operators have not created a level playing field that can enable women to gain competitive advantage.
Secondly, lack of proper training on key issues pertaining to business administration, financial management, allocation of resources and strategy formulation is also affecting women entrepreneurs in the UAE. They lack training on key aspects that define successful nature or failure of a business.
Indeed, training on these elements is a key aspect that women should undergo if their performance in the business sector is to be high (Davidson, 2008).
Thirdly, they lack the requisite skills and administration capacity that are fundamental in ensuring effective coordination of activities, allocation of resources and enhancement of efficiency. This has been affecting their effectiveness and efficiency in the execution of various activities thereby exposing them to unwarranted loses.
Consequently, they lack the capacity of identifying proper project management tools and operating techniques that are essential in ensuring exemplary growth (Moore, & Longenecker, 2008).
According to findings of various studies, it is evident that key issues that affect women entrepreneurs have not been receiving adequate attention since focus is mostly put on opening and managing businesses.
This has been affecting women entrepreneurs in the UAE who affirm that they still operate in a hostile business environment that does not favor them in comparison to their established competitors. This affects their performance levels.
References
Abdelkarim, A. (2001). Employment and Employability in a Small Oil Economy-the UAE. Maastricht, the Netherlands: Shaker Publishers.
Davidson, C. M. (2008). Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success. New York: Columbia University Press.
Moore, C. W., & Longenecker, J. G. (2008). Managing Small Business: An Entrepreneurial Emphasis. Australia: South-Western/Cengage Learning.