Access to finance and women entrepreneurship development in the Kigezi subregion, Uganda
ABSTRACT Women entrepreneurs are challenged by access to finance in their quest to start any entrepreneurial activity. Global business failures have not spared women entrepreneurs; hence, this study is very significant, as it may direct the path to new business venture creation by women entrepreneurs. The provision of financial support to a business enterprise does not guarantee its success or growth. The study explored the role access to finance plays in entrepreneurship development, the strategies that stimulate women’s entrepreneurship, and the relationship between access to finance and entrepreneurship development. We used beta coefficients to quantify the effects of access to finance on entrepreneurship development. The findings revealed that women entrepreneurs find it difficult to access cheap and adequate financial services. The study recommends increased funding, development of good policies, and entrepreneurship training and education for women-owned businesses in order to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship development.
- Research Article
8
- 10.2139/ssrn.2851786
- Oct 15, 2016
- SSRN Electronic Journal
Factors Influencing the Development of Women Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh
- Research Article
2
- 10.2139/ssrn.3244639
- Sep 24, 2018
- SSRN Electronic Journal
Critical Factors for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship in Retail Business of Bangladesh
- Conference Article
- 10.1145/3440094.3440380
- Nov 27, 2020
Needless to say that the women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh lack behind in economic advancement and decision making abilities compared to men business entrepreneurs. Research shows that only seven percent of the total business establishments are owned and headed by women which are negligible in number in a country where more than 170 million people live. One of the reasons of poor development of women entrepreneurship is limited decision making abilities of the women at different level of the society. Hence, this study aims at identifying the factors related to the development of women decision making abilities among the women business entrepreneurs. This is a causal research and this study used primary data collected from the women entrepreneurs of seven administrative divisional head-quarters of Bangladesh enlisted in Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) database. The study used both probability and non-probability sampling techniques to select 395 women business entrepreneurs who are involved in SME businesses for interview. The data were analyzed by using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques. The results show that the factors concerning women business entrepreneurship activities such as, enterprise management, enterprise resourcing, generating business ideas, and harvesting and growth are significantly related to the development of women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. And the development of entrepreneurship helps developing decision making abilities of the women entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurial factors that help to improve the abilities of decision making of the women entrepreneurs are concerned with cognitive, affective and psychomotor factors. This study suggests that the policy makers of this sector should emphasize the enhancement of the decision making abilities of the women in formulating the SME policy for the sustainable economic development of Bangladesh.
- Research Article
1
- 10.25073/2588-1108/vnueab.4078
- Dec 28, 2017
- VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business
Policy Implications to Improve the Business Environment to Encourage Female Entrepreneurship in the North of Vietnam
- Research Article
4
- 10.2139/ssrn.3500834
- Jan 1, 2019
- SSRN Electronic Journal
Socioeconomic Factors of Women Entrepreneurship Development in Bangladesh
- Research Article
77
- 10.1186/s13731-023-00285-0
- Jan 1, 2023
- Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This study investigates the role of microfinance services on women's entrepreneurship development in Assosa town. The study employed both descriptive and explanatory designs and a quantitative research approach. The study targeted 352 women clients of Assosa Woreda Microfinance Institution, and 165 samples were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed through the statistical package for social science (SPSS) 26 software. The findings from the descriptive mean analysis indicate that the microfinance institution financial and non-financial services offered were found unable to significantly empower disadvantaged and poor women by improving their livelihood and development of their business. The correlation result also indicated a positive and significant association between saving practice, access to credit, skill development training, and the development of women entrepreneurs. Finally, the regression result saving and the credit or loan services of the microfinance institution service have the most decisive influence on women's entrepreneurship development.
- Research Article
62
- 10.1108/gm-10-2013-0122
- Sep 30, 2014
- Gender in Management: An International Journal
Purpose– This paper aims to identify developmental issues associated with women entrepreneurship, with the Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a base. Subsequently, the paper also aims to devise certain stratagems and new policies for ensuring women entrepreneurial growth.Design/methodology/approach– An overview of the issues surrounding women entrepreneurship development in Malaysia is provided, drawing on the extant literature. The issues comprise cultural barriers, lack of spousal support, gender inequality, lack of confidence, weak social and business networking, few laws to support working families and neglected women entrepreneurs in the cottage industry, as well as domestic help and home-based childcare.Findings– Based on the issues identified, strategies are proposed to address them, contextualising on the gender aspect of women entrepreneurship.Practical implications– A summary is provided on the research and practical gaps from the perspective of strengthening women entrepreneurship and with the aim of encouraging further research in this area. The paper posits that an understanding of the gender aspect on issues related to the development of women entrepreneurship in Malaysia is required if policy measures are to be constructive in assisting women entrepreneurs in achieving their full entrepreneurial potential.Originality/value– Very limited studies have been undertaken in the past to assess the issues faced by women entrepreneurs in the context of overall development of women entrepreneurship. This is of great value to an SME-dominated economy such as Malaysia where the paper provides a comprehensive summary of the strategies and policy measures required to strengthen women entrepreneurship development.
- Book Chapter
3
- 10.1007/978-3-030-45253-7_5
- Jan 1, 2020
This chapter gives an overview of women entrepreneurship in Montenegro. The chapter starts with offering a historical summary of a woman’s role in Montenegro, which serves as the basis for further analysis of the development of women entrepreneurship. It further analyzes demographic indicators, as well asobstacles and challenges which are relevant for the development of women entrepreneurship. The analysis shows that women entrepreneurship is a concept that is more used in Montenegrin economic theory, but it is hardly present in everyday life. Besides, there are no precise details on participation of women entrepreneurship in economy. A significant segment of the chapter is analysis of business environment and institutional support in the function of development of women entrepreneurship, with a special overview of the role of the strategy of the development of women entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial activity brings employment, economic growth, and wealth and represents an essential component of the advanced economy. On the other hand, it is a fact that the participation of women in creating politics in Montenegro is insufficient, i.e., a relatively small number of women are present in the leading positions and positions for decision-making. The chapter finishes with offering recommendations and guidelines for future development of women entrepreneurship in Montenegro. In that sense, a key element for increasing women entrepreneurial activity is multiple support to greater number of women to get involved in the business. Women entrepreneurship in economically less developed countries helps women to avoid the trap of poverty. Additionally, women entrepreneurship breaks entrepreneurial stereotypes which are rooted in society for a long time.
- Research Article
27
- 10.1108/agjsr-07-2022-0112
- Feb 1, 2023
- Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research
PurposeThe main purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing rural women entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research was conducted in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 400 women entrepreneurs in various sectors. The participants were in vegetable vending, operating clothing flea markets and cross border trading. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Structural equation modeling in SmartPLS version 3 was used to test the research hypotheses.FindingsThe study established that women entrepreneurship is driven by financial factors, positive environmental factors, positive psychological factors as well as positive sociological factors for a sustainable rural livelihood.Research limitations/implicationsIt is clear that if the discovered challenges are not addressed, sustainability of women entrepreneurship will remain a dream.Practical implicationsThe study came up with strategies for improving women entrepreneurship activities. Future research can be done in other areas of provinces to avoid generalization challenges.Social implicationsMany challenges hinder the sustainability of women entrepreneurship. Major impediments to women entrepreneurship comprises inadequate support from government schemes, patriarchal societal structure of the community, lack of relevant entrepreneurial knowledge to manage businesses, lack of collateral security to access funding, time limitation or role conflict to balance family pressures and business.Originality/valueThe study recommends proper entrepreneurship education and training, supportive government schemes and access to network affiliation/connection to sustain women entrepreneurship.
- Research Article
10
- 10.11648/j.jhrm.20190703.11
- Jan 1, 2019
- Journal of Human Resource Management
Women participation in economic development has been identified to be of importance, most especially in the area of entrepreneurship. However, women the world over play a substantial role in the socio- economic and political development of any country. Given this, the current study examined the effect of socio-cultural factors on women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna state. The specific objectives of the study include: to examine the effect of religion on women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna State; to examine the effect of culture on women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna State; and to examine the effect of gender roles on women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna State. Using descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 332 women entrepreneurs in Kaduna metropolis and then analyzed via correlation and regression analyses techniques to examine the cause, effect, strength and degree of the relationship between socio-cultural factors and women entrepreneurship development. The study found that there is a significant relationship between socio-cultural factors and women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna metropolis, indicating significant relationships between religion and women entrepreneurship, between culture and women entrepreneurship and between gender role and women entrepreneurship development in Kaduna metropolis. The study recommends that women entrepreneurs in Kaduna metropolis should be proactive in doing business by bearing in mind various socio-cultural factors such as religion, culture and gender roles that may hinder the smooth running of their businesses.
- Book Chapter
1
- 10.1007/978-3-030-45253-7_7
- Jan 1, 2020
The position of women in Serbia on the labor market is very unfavorable, so they represent a traditionally discriminated social group. One way to improve the position of women in society in Serbia is to encourage self-employment and the development of women entrepreneurship. Many measures have been implemented in order to develop women entrepreneurship in Serbia. This has led to the development of women entrepreneurship in Serbia, but it is developing very slowly, due to the influence of several factors. The subject of this chapter was to explain the genesis of the development of women entrepreneurship in Serbia and to analyze the limiting and incentive influencing factors of the development of women entrepreneurship in Serbia. Our research has shown that motives that have a significant impact on women in Serbia to start their own business are the need for higher earnings, necessity (unemployment), need for independence in work and autonomy, childcare, and need to provide a better future for the children. The key restrictions on women entrepreneurship in Serbia are lack of one’s own capital, lack of managerial knowledge and experience, lack of knowledge of the nature of business, childcare, and responsibilities in the home and the family.
- Research Article
18
- 10.1108/pap-09-2019-0023
- Dec 2, 2019
- Public Administration and Policy
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess how far Jamaica has come regarding women economic empowerment, female entrepreneurship and its development policies in favour of women entrepreneurship development.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study employs a mixed method approach to achieve its research objectives, consisting of literature review and corroboration with existing database and indices. Key insights of research on female entrepreneurship are used to reflect on published data to assess progress of female entrepreneurship development in Jamaica. The 2017 editions of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and Gender Entrepreneurship and Development Index were examined to gain a better understanding of how the Jamaican business environment has progressed or regressed over time and how the economic development and business environment impact female participation in Jamaica’s labour force and entrepreneurial initiatives.FindingsThe economic conditions in Jamaica and the role of females as domestic caregiver have made it difficult for women to enter the labour force even though Jamaican women are relatively better educated than men. Women remain at a disadvantage in the labour force. Jamaica’s legislation and budget allocations in favour of female entrepreneurship are analysed to identify where and how Jamaica is investing its efforts to improve women’s participation in the labour force. The authors conclude with suggestions on how the Jamaican government could facilitate further women entrepreneurship development to reach a more gender balanced inclusive socio-economic development.Originality/valueWhile global policy has been promoting women empowerment through entrepreneurial development, little is known on the actual outcome of such human capital investment strategy and the critical vectors that contribute to such outcome. This scarcity of knowledge is also applicable to Jamaica. This paper attempts to contribute to women entrepreneurship research by reaching beyond the output-oriented perspective of various skill development programmes and attempts to link policy choice with overall macro results of entrepreneurship development in general and women entrepreneurship development in specific. The study thus provides a rare glimpse of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jamaica.
- Research Article
11
- 10.1515/orga-2016-0018
- Nov 30, 2016
- Organizacija
Background and Purpose: Volume and sophistication of scientific research related to different aspects of entrepreneurship have significantly increased in recent years. Many authors point out the positive influence that development of micro, small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurship has on economic growth and job creation. According to various researchers, youth entrepreneurship and women entrepreneurship are two very important elements of this global phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to provide the analysis of strategic framework for the support to the development of youth and women entrepreneurship in Serbia. Design/Methodology/Approach: Situational analysis of youth and women employment and examination of official Government strategic documents related to strategic framework for the support to the development of youth and women entrepreneurship in Serbia will be conducted. Results: Concrete activities have to be performed by different stakeholders, mostly non-government organizations. The activity stakeholders are on the bottom of the institutional framework, which provides the support to MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector that will execute the operations in accordance with the defined strategic framework. Conclusion: Youth-run enterprises provide numerous benefits for society; they reduce youth unemployment and help young people prepare for their future. Female entrepreneurs also have strong economic and social impact.
- Book Chapter
- 10.4018/978-1-5225-9163-4.ch004
- Jul 21, 2019
Entrepreneurship is seen as an important tool in the prevention of women's unemployment and in the fight against poverty in underdeveloped and developing countries. Entrepreneurship becomes particularly obligatory for many women to substitute a kind of employment to provide additional income to the family. Drawing on Bowen and Hisrich's a career perspective to women's entrepreneurship and the context of a successful entrepreneurial career of a woman in Turkey, this chapter aims to discuss women's entrepreneurship by focusing on the reasons as to why women might choose entrepreneurship as a career choice. Another contribution is to provide a platform aimed at encouraging the mindset for the development of women's employment and entrepreneurship. In this context, the chapter provides explanations for the reasons for women's entrepreneurship within the push and pull factors. Furthermore, the main demographics of women entrepreneurs, their general personality characteristics, the sectors they operate in, and the difficulties they face are discussed.
- Research Article
3
- 10.47941/jepm.204
- Oct 17, 2017
- Journal of Entrepreneurship and Project Management
Purpose: The main objective of this study is to find out the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency, Nairobi, Kenya. To successfully achieve the study objective the research was guided by the following specific objectives: - To establish the extent to which disbursed credit by SACCOs help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency; To determine the extent to which deposits/share capital help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency; To find out how SACCOs investment portfolios help in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency. To find out how information dissemination helps in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituencyMethodology: The study employed a descriptive survey research design to find out the role of SACCOs in entrepreneurial development in Dagoretti constituency. The study adopted a census study. A questionnaire was used as primary data collection instruments. The collected data was examined and checked for completeness and comprehensibility. The data was then summarized, coded and tabulated with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 17.0) Data presentation was done by the use of pie charts, bar charts and graphs, percentages and frequency tables.Results: With all the independent variables having p < 0.05, this indicates that there is a significant relationship among all the four variables with the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoreti South constituency. From the results, a unit % increase in Access to Loans would result to 44% decrease in share capital. Additionally, a unit % increase in entrepreneurship education would result to 36% increase on the influence of SACCOs in entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency. Having the composite mean as 3.68053 and the standard deviation as 0.4768, meant that the respondents agreed that Access to Loans, Share capital, and Entrepreneurship education had a significant influence on SACCOs in influencing entrepreneurial capacity development in Dagoretti South constituency.Recommendation: With the Kenya government steering towards industrialization in her vision 2030, entrepreneurship training should be the first gear towards this direction. Many countries have prospered as a result of constructing and embracing entrepreneurial culture among their population. SACCOs are a good starting point especially in rural-urban areas where government devolution tentacles have started to spread.SACCOs should strive to maximize on the earnings to build the institutional capital. This institutional capital ensures the permanence and growth of the SACCOs even in turbulent economic times. In fact, it would help the SACCOs to grow and, remain economically and financially viable. Such growth should be enhanced by effective financial practices not to mention entrepreneurial training.