PATRIARCHAL CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON VENTURE GROWTH AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-EFFICACY OF WOMEN-OWNED SMES IN PAKISTAN: THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND GOVERNMENT POLICY SUPPORT

Abstract

Women’s entrepreneurship plays a vital role in economic development, yet in many developing economies it remains constrained by deeply embedded socio-cultural norms. Drawing on institutional theory, this study examines how patriarchal cultural constraints influence venture growth and entrepreneurial self-efficacy among women-owned SMEs in Pakistan, and whether social capital and government policy support mitigate these effects. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from women-owned manufacturing SMEs in Punjab and Sindh. Structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 4 was applied to test direct and moderating relationships. The findings reveal that patriarchal cultural constraints negatively and significantly affect both venture growth and entrepreneurial self-efficacy. However, social capital and government policy support significantly weaken these adverse effects. The results highlight the layered nature of institutional environments, where informal norms constrain entrepreneurial outcomes while relational and formal mechanisms provide buffering support. The study contributes to institutional and entrepreneurship theory by integrating structural and psychological dimensions within a unified framework and offers practical insights for policymakers seeking to foster inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.