Purpose

This study aims to uses biosocial gender theory to describe successful entrepreneurial behavior in conflict zones. Specifically, the authors investigate how the reliance on agentic (assertive, individual focused) behavior and communal (facilitative and friendly) behavior lead to differential outcomes depending on the physical gender of the entrepreneur exhibiting the behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a conceptual framework based on extant literature. To test the framework, the authors gathered survey data from Iraqi-Kurdish entrepreneurs who have been living in a state of war since the late 1980s and use a novel analytical method to deal with the limitations inherent in gathering survey data in conflict zones. Qualitative data is presented to generate a better understanding of the survey results.

Findings

The findings indicate females who are successful in taking on the traditional male role of entrepreneur in conflict zones engage in lower levels of agentic behavior compared to their male counterparts. Successful entrepreneurs (male and female) rely extensively on communal behavior in their ventures. When it comes to community development, male entrepreneurs engaging in agentic behavior, seem to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs more than females. Females relying on communal behavior engage in more mentoring of aspiring entrepreneurs than males.

Originality/value

An understanding of the unique gender dynamics underlying entrepreneurial behavior in conflict zones remains incomplete. The study introduces evidence that gender differences, as well as social factors, combine with the unique characteristics of conflict zones resulting in different behavioral paths to entrepreneurial success. The analytical method introduces some statistical tools to scholars attempting to understand the unique conflict zone context. As such, the study provides guidance for scholars working in this context, as well as NGO’s and other institutions seeking to train entrepreneurs and improve economic conditions in conflict zones.

中文翻译：

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冲突地区创业行为的生物社会性别分析：来自伊拉克-库尔德斯坦的证据

目的

本研究旨在利用生物社会性别理论来描述冲突地区成功的创业行为。具体而言，作者研究了对代理（自信、以个人为中心）行为和公共（促进和友好）行为的依赖如何导致不同的结果，具体取决于表现出该行为的企业家的身体性别。

设计/方法论/途径

作者根据现有文献开发了一个概念框架。为了测试该框架，作者收集了自 20 世纪 80 年代末以来一直生活在战争状态的伊拉克库尔德企业家的调查数据，并使用一种新颖的分析方法来解决在冲突地区收集调查数据所固有的局限性。提供定性数据是为了更好地理解调查结果。

发现

研究结果表明，与男性同行相比，在冲突地区成功扮演传统男性企业家角色的女性的代理行为水平较低。成功的企业家（男性和女性）在其企业中广泛依赖集体行为。在社区发展方面，从事代理行为的男性企业家似乎比女性更能指导有抱负的企业家。与男性相比，女性依靠集体行为对有抱负的企业家进行更多的指导。

原创性/价值

对冲突地区创业行为背后的独特性别动态的理解仍然不完整。该研究引入的证据表明，性别差异以及社会因素与冲突地区的独特特征相结合，导致了创业成功的不同行为路径。分析方法为试图了解独特冲突地区背景的学者引入了一些统计工具。因此，该研究为从事这方面工作的学者以及寻求培训企业家和改善冲突地区经济状况的非政府组织和其他机构提供了指导。