A fourfold classification of female entrepreneurship concept

Purpose From the analysis of recent literature it emerges a methodological issue about Female entrepreneurship concept which has not been treated. It is not yet clear if Female entrepreneurship is an individual or collective concept and if it is considered a social or natural variable. The purpose of present research is to clear up that these alternatives are preparatory to any research about Female entrepreneurship which would measure its features and effects over other economic variables. Design/methodology/approach This research starts with an analysis of recent literature about Female entrepreneurship in which arises a lack of reflections about the qualification of Female entrepreneurship concept. The work proceeds by classifying Female entrepreneurship concept in four modes and discussing their characterisations. Originality/value Since Entrepreneurship is considered an economic variable pertaining to individuals in different measure, Female entrepreneurship is a concept that has to be classified before it can be measured and before its contribution to economic value can be measured. Originality of this work consists in its fourfold classification of Female entrepreneurship concept as a preparatory step to the analysis of its characteristics and measures. Practical implications Since we don’t clear up the nature of Female entrepreneurship concept, we can’t measure it and its contribution to value creation. Its evaluation could be inserted in Business financial reporting and National accounting systems as a useful information for customs, supply chain determination and public regulators; but in order to do so, its nature has to be clarified, with regard to its individual or collective, and social or natural characterizations.