Recommendations for the improvement of conditions for the development of female entrepreneurship in the Republic of Croatia

Žensko poduzetništvo je poduzetništvo koje se odvija u gospodarskim subjektima u većinskom vlasništvu žena, koje istovremeno vode i kontroliraju tvrtku. S obzirom na to da se žene u poslovnom svijetu smatraju izvorom novih i održivih radnih mjesta, te samozapošljavanja, potrebno je stvarati uvjete za njihovo poduzetničko djelovanje. Jasno je da postoje prepreke i izazovi za žensko poduzetništvo, pa je stoga potrebno pratiti i uvoditi učinkovite načine kako ženama olakšati ulazak i ostanak u poduzetništvu. Neophodna je promjena svijesti u društvu kako bi se općenito povećala kvaliteta poduzetništva, a posebno ženskog poduzetništva. Uz to, potrebna je promjena u sustavu vrijednosti opterećenom nametnutim stereotipima, jer će i društvo imati koristi kada se ženama budu pružile jednake mogućnosti kao i muškarcima. Radi boljeg razumijevanja onoga što je potrebno za poboljšanje uvjeta za razvoj ženskog poduzetništva, za potrebe izrade ovog završnog rada, provedeno je višestruko istraživanje: prvo, istraživanje uspješnica – priča dostupnih putem medija i online kanala komunikacije, drugo, intervjuiranje dvanaest uspješnih poduzetnica u Hrvatskoj, te treće, anketiranje studentica o njihovim razmišljanjima o ulasku u poduzetništvo. Na temelju rezultata svih provedenih istraživanja sumirani su prijedlozi i napravljene preporuke za poboljšanje uvjeta za razvoj ženskog poduzetništva u Hrvatskoj.Female entrepreneurship is entrepreneurial activity taking place in businesses where the majority ownership share is owned by women, who simultaneously manage and control the company. Considering that women are considered to be the source of new and sustainable jobs, as well as self-employment, by the business world, it is necessary to create the conditions in which their entrepreneurial activities may thrive. There are clear obstacles and challenges for female entrepreneurship, therefore, it is necessary to monitor and implement efficient mechanisms through which women may enter and remain in the entrepreneurial sphere with as few obstacles as possible. It is also necessary to change the overall viewpoint of the society, in order to increase the quality of entrepreneurship in general, and particularly the quality of female entrepreneurship. In addition, the value system, which is burdened with imposed stereotypes, must also change, because the society will benefit if women are provided the same opportunities as men. In order to better understand what is necessary to improve the conditions for the development of female entrepreneurship, several research studies were conducted: First, research into successful companies – stories available in the media and online communication channels; second, interviews with twelve successful female entrepreneurs in Croatia; and third, surveying female students about their positions on starting their careers in entrepreneurship. The results from all the conducted research were used as basis for summarising the proposals and providing recommendations for improving the conditions for the development of female entrepreneurship in Croatia