ABSTRACT
Introduction The process of transformation towards market economies deprived a majority of women in the former Soviet states of their paid jobs, as well as most of the social security provided under socialism. On the other hand, the needs of women to earn additional income have grown during the transition period. Here, female entrepreneurship is important not only to alleviate growing unemployment, but also to take advantage of the potential contribution of women entrepreneurs to economic and social transformation. An important research question for female entrepreneurship in transition countries concerns the extent to which any distinctive characteristics of women-owned businesses that are observed, may be attributable to gender-related factors, such as the position of women in the economy and society, or instead to the overall business environment.
