John RollinsFollow

Date

3-2018

Department

Graduate School of Business

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Chair

Edward Moore

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Leadership Development, Mentoring, Self-Efficacy, Women Entrepreneurs

Disciplines

Business | Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Human Resources Management | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Organizational Behavior and Theory

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the attitudes and views of women entrepreneurs on establishing a mentoring relationship. Despite the stated advantages of establishing a mentoring relationship, including improving entrepreneurs’ chances of business success, organizational growth, and leadership development, over 50% of novice women entrepreneurs do not establish a mentoring relationship. The researcher conducted 22 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs in the wedding industry. All participants had a positive attitude towards establishing a mentoring relationship and stated that mentoring would increase novice women entrepreneurs’ chance of business success, organizational growth, and leadership development. Most participants believed a mentor would enhance a novice entrepreneur’s self-efficacy. The mentored participants all stated that their mentor influenced their leadership style. The research found that the participants primarily lead with a transformational and transactional style of leadership. The findings are significant because when novice women entrepreneurs understand how to overcome the barriers of establishing a mentoring relationship and the potential for greater success, more novice women entrepreneurs may seek to establish a mentoring relationship. A mentor can have a powerful and lasting influence on a follower.

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