Entrepreneurial self-efficacy in women's community-based tourism: a systematic review of success factors, barriers and theoretical gaps

Purpose This paper systematically reviews the role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) in shaping women's entrepreneurship within community-based tourism (CBT). It examines how ESE influences women's ability to initiate, sustain and grow tourism ventures while navigating structural and cultural constraints. Design/methodology/approach Following PRISMA guidelines, 53 peer-reviewed articles published between 2014 and 2026 were synthesised. The review identifies conceptual, theoretical and methodological trends and highlights emerging research priorities. Findings The review reveals four dominant themes: (1) ESE is the catalyst for women's entrepreneurial participation in tourism, (2) ESE contributes to CBT success factors through diversification, leadership and sustainability, (3) the enabling and constraining role of institutional support and (4) fragmented theoretical foundations in the ESE and CBT relationship. Research limitations/implications The review offers theoretical implications through an integrative contextual framework linking individual agency, institutional structure and community empowerment. Practical implications It also offers practical implications for policymakers and tourism authorities on capacity-building, institutional reform and inclusive governance to strengthen women's ESE in CBT. Originality/value This study systematically reviews ESE in CBT, proposing an integrative contextual framework that connects individual-level agency with institutional and socio-cultural dimensions of women's entrepreneurship in CBT. The review offers theoretical consolidation, practical implications for inclusive policy and a forward-looking agenda on digital and creative self-efficacy in tourism entrepreneurship.