Female entrepreneurs and international entry mode choice: Evidence from entrepreneurial firms in China

Female entrepreneurs in emerging economies encounter various obstacles in pursuing global expansion; thus, research on how to overcome these difficulties and achieve successful internationalization is needed. This study examines the impacts of two factors, namely political affiliation and family involvement in entrepreneurial firms, on female entrepreneurs’ choice of foreign market entry mode. By analyzing comprehensive survey data from the venture firms in China, we uncover the relationships between these factors and the inclination to select higher commitment entry modes. Our findings reveal that female entrepreneurs with a higher level of political affiliation are likely to opt for a higher commitment foreign market entry mode. Likewise, those with greater family involvement demonstrate a preference for higher commitment entry modes. Furthermore, our study reveals the complex interplay between the resources and financial constraints. Political affiliations complement financial resources, increasing the likelihood of higher commitment entries. In contrast, family involvement acts as a substitute when financial resources are limited. This study sheds light on the diverse resources that female entrepreneurs rely on and how these resources, either independently or interactively, influence these entrepreneurs’ international entry mode choices. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and internationalization of female entrepreneurship in emerging economies.