Factors That Influence the Survival of Women-Owned Small Business Start-Ups in the City of Tema, Ghana

Abstract

The one objective of the study was to find out what business practices would be appropriate in helping women in starting and operating their small businesses in Tema, Ghana. Another objective was to find any government policy or law that serves as a barrier to women’s entrepreneurship development. The researcher investigated the factors that influenced the survival of women-owned small-scale enterprises in the city of Tema in Ghana. The findings of the study revealed that several major factors were shared among the subjects that affected their businesses survival. These factors included innovation (the most influential), a business plan, a strong family support system, social networks, and professional development. The findings also show that the interviewees had experienced gender discrimination in terms of government economic policies, statutory and customary laws, lack of capital, and administrative hurdles.