Institutional Theory and Contextual Embeddedness of Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership: Evidence from 92 Countries

Building on GEM research, we develop a multi-level framework that draws on the notion of the contextual embeddedness of entrepreneurship and institutional theory. We examine the mediating role of the vision for women's entrepreneurship (VWE) on the relationship between the regulatory, normative and cognitive pillars of institutional theory and women's entrepreneurial leadership (WEL) in 92 countries. Results suggest that the institutional pillars influence VWE. Regulatory institutions, entrepreneurial cognitions, and entrepreneurial norms have a direct and an indirect effect (through VWE) on WEL.