Entrepreneurial Skills in Vulnerable Women in the City of Guayaquil, Ecuador

• Sedolfo Carrasquero Ferrer Technological Business University of Guayaquil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4725-963X
• Gabriel Vaca Suárez Technological Business University of Guayaquil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5552-1848
• Jean Pino Rodríguez Technological Business University of Guayaquil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6694-7630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13755484

Keywords: Principal component analysis, Entrepreneurial skills, Female empowerment, Vulnerable women

Abstract

The present study focuses on analyzing the entrepreneurial competencies of women in vulnerable situations and household leaders in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. A non-experimental design with a contemporary cross-sectional approach was employed, selecting an intentional sample of 97 entrepreneurial women. A structured questionnaire addressing 14 entrepreneurial dimensions was administered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis (PCA). The results revealed that the most prominent entrepreneurial competencies among women were creativity, resource management, leadership, and teamwork. However, areas for improvement were identified in competencies such as problem-solving and results orientation. Furthermore, a strong association was found between competencies such as problem-solving and results orientation, as well as between proactivity and resource management. PCA identified three components to represent the measured competencies. These findings underscore the importance of female entrepreneurship as a driver of economic and social development, emphasizing the need for policies and programs that promote equal opportunities and economic empowerment for women in vulnerable contexts.

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