Ecosystem variables associated with a proxy of cultural and social norms in entrepreneurship: women’s perspectives from the Global South

Abstract

This study analyzes how entrepreneurial ecosystem variables are associated with variations in a proxy measure of cultural and social norms of entrepreneurship, interpreted from women’s perspectives in the Global South. Using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) National Experts Survey (2017–2021), the study incorporates the perceptions of 764 female experts. A composite Index of Culture and Social Norms (ICNS) was constructed as the dependent variable. The analytical strategy combined an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model with stepwise selection and a multivariate mixed-effects model to account for country and educational-level variability. Findings indicate that entrepreneurial education, digital infrastructure, market openness, regulatory effectiveness, and government programs are positively associated with more favorable cultural orientations toward entrepreneurship. In contrast, excessive subsidies and bureaucratic ease in obtaining permits show negative associations. The study contributes by conceptualizing culture and social norms as dynamic ecosystem outcomes rather than static contextual factors.