Global Journal of Management and Business Research, A: Administration and Management, Volume 23 Issue 9

and the characteristics of their businesses, but a number of studies have focused on the political, legal, cultural and social contexts, showing that entrepreneurial activity depends on the interaction between individual characteristics and socio- environmental factors (Gasse, 2003; Kone, 2021; ELAzzaoui, 2019). In this sense, Ahl and Marlow (2012); Bloom and Van Reenen, (2010); Ahl and Nelson, (2014) suggest developing approaches based on the study of contextual realities. Indeed, the study of the local context of entrepreneurship makes it possible to understand the characteristics, obstacles and levers of development (Allaoua et al., 2019; Amadou et al., 2022). Several studies have investigated the specific context of female entrepreneurship in different regions of the world (Welsh et al., 2014; Hobad et al., 2023), particularly in developing countries (Saleh, 2011; Arasti, 2008; Tahir- Metaiche, 2013; Hossain et al., 2023). In this sense, Chang et al (2009); Hughes et al (2012), argue that these studies highlight dynamics in the environment of women entrepreneurs that can lead to difficulties with networking, financing, managing staff, reconciling work and family; and influence the choice to start a business, its survival and success (De Vita, Mari and Poggesi, 2014; Gaweł et al., 2023; Kante, 2020). De Vita, Mari and Poggesi (2014); Sadi and Al- Ghazali (2012); Levy-Tadjine and Sawma (2010) and Dargis (2021) spoke of the negative effect of a socio- cultural environment characterised by prejudice on the role of women in society. For their part, Saparito, Elam and Brush (2013) revealed the negative impact of gender on the relationship between women entrepreneurs and their bankers and on the financial resources obtained. However, according to Rehman and Roomi (2012); Roomi and Parrott and Sadi and Al- Ghazali, (2012); Hamdi and Hamdi (2021), this negative impact differs from one country to another. The fact remains that public institutions can either hinder or support female entrepreneurship (Brière et al, 2014; Tijari and Smouni, 2023). In 2011, a study carried out by the World Bank showed that difficulties in women's access to finance are generally linked to the lack of women's access to property. Contextual factors also include the division of family tasks in society (Guyot and Lohest, 2007). This plays an important role in reconciling private and professional life (Lebègue and Paturel, 2008; Léger-Jarniou, 2013; Dagot, 2019; Lacle, 2020). In any case, according to Brière et al (2014) and De Vita, Mari and Poggesi, (2014) and Félix and Zammar (2021), the family has an influence on women's entrepreneurial activity. Little research has been published on entrepreneurship in developing countries, yet this issue cannot be dissociated from the influence of the national context on their activity, since the individual, family, professional, institutional and socio- cultural environments are so important (Florent Tasso, 2021; Tijari and Smouni, 2023). It is therefore necessary to consider contextualised studies on this issue. Thus, our first question will focus on the effect of these different factors on the lives of women entrepreneurs in Tunisia: how do the different contextual factors influence the entrepreneurial activity of women in Tunisia? Many researchers have presented women entrepreneurs as a homogeneous group (ABOUSAID, 2023; Jacob et al., 2023; Latrous, 2021). As far as we are concerned, we will use this approach to study the impact of different factors on the profiles of women entrepreneurs: women entrepreneurs, self-employed women and women cooperators (Mohammed, 2019; Zogning, 2021). Our interest will then focus on the differentiating factors between these three groups of women, hence our second research question: what specific influences do contextual factors have on the three categories of women entrepreneurs in Tunisia? Our aim is to talk about women entrepreneurs, a subject of interest to researchers, and to show the diversity of profiles, career paths and motivations for entrepreneurship. a) Women in Tunisian Society Normally, the situation of women in Tunisia meets the requirements of justice and equity. The law allows women to benefit from the same opportunities as men to set up their own businesses, seeing them as an effective means of increasing equality and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In what follows, we will study Tunisian society. In particular, we will present the profile of the female population and its family, professional, institutional and socio-cultural context. b) Individual Factors The Personal Status Code, considered to be one of the most modern in the Arab world, determines the conditions for women in Tunisia, not forgetting the influence of customs and traditions. When it comes to marriage, Tunisia is often considered to be open to changes in the modern world. It celebrates two days dedicated to women: International Women's Day (8 March) 3 and 13 August, the anniversary of the promulgation of the CSP. In 2013 2 1989 , 25% of the working population was made up of women, compared with 20.9% in and just 5.5% in 1966. They work in all professions (the army, civil or military aviation and the police 3 pharmacists . They account for 72% of , 42% of the medical profession, 27% of judges, 31% of lawyers and 40% of university professors, and between 10,000 and 15,000 women are company directors. In 2004, 16.7% of women were unemployed, compared with 12.9% of men. 19 . In 2015, women accounted for 28.2% of the working population. Furthermore, according to the UN (2020), the number of 2 According to data from the World Bank (1919) 3 Olivia Mars, " Cinquante ans d'indépendance féminine " (2006) Challenges and Prospects for Women Entrepreneurs in Tunisia Global Journal of Management and Business Research ( A ) XXIII Issue IX Version I Year 2023 41 © 2023 Global Journals