Contributing factors of women entrepreneurs' business growth and failure in Pakistan

Abstract

Women entrepreneurship is considered as a leading building block of economy as it plays an important role in job creation, self-development and pay back as economic progress of country. Pakistan being a developing country is in initial phase of entrepreneurship and female participation in economic activities is low. A report by the Global Economy (2016) stated that women's economic participation and opportunities in Pakistan ranked 143 out of 144. A qualitative study was conducted in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and 25 female entrepreneurs were interviewed. The findings revealed that complex governmental policies and financial institutions procedures are the main reason of their failure to achieve their entrepreneurial objectives. The main obstacles faced by women entrepreneurs are lack of confidence, less education, market awareness, dual role, low bargaining abilities and mobility constraints. The study will be useful for policy makers to formulate the policies and strategies in order to promote women entrepreneurship.