Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Commerce - Department of Business Administration

Objectives: The objective of this research is to investigate how the environmental factors such as: family support, network support and entrepreneurship education, as well as personality traits affect the ventures{u2019} success, moderated by the role of gender and how these variables differ in both urban to rural areas in Egypt. Approach: Qualitative data are collected through 10 in-depth interviews, while quantitative data through a survey of 300 entrepreneurs in total non-probability convenient sample of male and female entrepreneurs were taken from the urban and rural areas in Egypt. Reliability analysis was conducted using Cronbach Alpha to analyse the data, and validity test was carried. T-test was used to measure the relationship between variables Findings: There is no relationship between ventures{u2019} success and family/network support to males in both urban and rural areas. A positive relationship between family support and the venture success for female entrepreneurs in urban areas. A negative relationship between network support and venture success for female entrepreneurs in rural areas. A positive relationship between self-efficacy and venture success for female entrepreneurs, positive relationship between need for achievement and venture success for male entrepreneurs and no relationship between risk-taking, innovation, locus of control and the venture success Contribution: A solution for the high unemployment rate can be found in increasing the number of entrepreneurs. Thus, after identifying the variables that have an effect on the venture{u2019}s success, these factors can be used in order to manipulate/ control them in the region, if a region wishes to increase or control the number of entrepreneurs

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