This paper explores how cultural values, gender schemas, and higher – order cognitive skills affect work – life integration and business development among women entrepreneurs in Camarines Sur, Philippines. The study is anchored on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension s Theory, Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, and Bem’s Gender Schema Theory. Quantitative, predictive design was used with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS – SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships among variables. A sample of 220 women entrepreneurs operating micro and small businesses for at least 2 years was used to gather data. Results indicate that gender schema, higher – order cognitive capabilities, work – life integration, and business development are greatly influenced by cultural values. Gender schema and higher – order cognitive skills have a direct, positive impact on work – life integration and business growth, and work – life integration is a key driver of business growth. Such findings underscore the key importance of internal and socio – cognitive variables in entrepreneurial success. The paper highlights how women entrepreneurs’ ability to navigate cultural expectations, re -sculpt gender roles, and employ higher – order cognitive skills is more decisive in achieving sustainable business growth. The study situates Camarines Sur’s local context as the setting for the analysis and thu s adds limited empirical evidence on women’s entrepreneurship in the Philippines.
Keywords: Cultural values , Gender schema theory , Higher