Investigating women entrepreneurs in creative industries: critical determinants for venture performance

The importance of women's entrepreneurial role has recently emerged in creative industries (CIs) literature because of the recognition of entrepreneurship as a significant tool for improving employability and enforcement of women artists and creatives. CIs provide a domain for women to build and sustain their economic empowerment by developing skills, finding jobs, working flexibly, achieving work-life balance, and generating income. This study seeks to disclose the predicting role of critical factors of entrepreneurship on women's venture performance in CIs in Maryland. Drawing on the relevant literature, the study examines simultaneously the effect of a bundle of personal and social factors pertinent to women's entrepreneurial activities in creatives industries using a survey (n = 138) and structural equation modeling as a methodological tool. The results reveal that entrepreneurial and artistic orientation, networking, and creative personality impact statistically significant women's venture performance in CIs. Mentoring does not exert a statistically significant impact on women's venture performance in CIs. The study contributes to entrepreneurship research, women entrepreneurs in CIs, and entrepreneurship for community and economic development. Additionally, its practical contribution is related to knowledge enrichment for community organizations, community developers, and decision-makers to support women entrepreneurs' venture performance in CIs in their communities.