International Journal of Research Studies in Management
CollabWritive Special Issue
2026 Volume 14 Issue 1
Available Online: 14 February 2026
Author/s:
Bonus, Abigail Cena
Bahrain Polytechnic, Bahrain (abigail.bonus@polytechnic.bh)
Abstract:
This study investigates the empowerment dynamics of expatriate women entrepreneurs engaged in micro-enterprises in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Anchored in Naila Kabeer’s empowerment theory—comprising resources, agency, and achievements—and a combination of Feminist theory, the research explores how expatriate women navigate entrepreneurial pathways within a context shaped by gender norms, regulatory barriers, and cultural diversity. Using a mixed-methods design, data were gathered from seventy-one expatriate women through structured surveys and face-to-face interviews in examining key dimensions, including financial, human, and social capital; personal agency; business self-efficacy; and entrepreneurial empowerment outcomes. The findings indicate that respondents generally “agree” they have access to essential resources, particularly human capital (M=2.93), though financial access and social capital are moderately constrained. Notably, participants demonstrated high levels of perceived agency (M=3.47), especially in areas of autonomy, decision-making, and resilience. However, while business growth and community recognition showed moderate achievement, personal financial independence (M=2.48) and personal fulfillment (M=2.46) were perceived as lower, signaling a gap between entrepreneurial activity and transformative empowerment. Business self-efficacy emerged as a critical mediator, reinforcing the relationship between agency/resources and perceived success. This study highlights the multi-faceted empowerment trajectories of expatriate women micro-entrepreneurs and identifies opportunities for policy enhancements, such as inclusive access to capital, mentorship, and digital skills training. It contributes to the limited literature on expatriate women in the Gulf.
Keywords: women empowerment, expatriate entrepreneurs, micro enterprise, business self-efficacy, agency and resources
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsm.2026.26005
Cite this article:
Bonus, A. C. (2026). Study of Bahrain expatriate women entrepreneurs’ empowerment in micro-enterprise. International Journal of Research Studies in Management, 14(1), 53-65. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsm.2026.26005