Women Entrepreneurs Research Articles

Business Sustainability Among Women Entrepreneurs in Ghana

There is a problem among women entrepreneurs in Ghana caused by the lack of training among women’s entrepreneurs that includes social, cultural, economic, political, demographic, institutional, and technological support. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore business strategies that women entrepreneurs in Ghana need to learn to make their business sustainable beyond 5 years. Ten successful women entrepreneurs from 5 industries in Ghana, who had the training, experience, and information to understand the causes of business failure and had applied that information to gain business sustainability beyond 5 years were recruited. Data analysis involved triangulation, member checking, and Yin’s 5 steps. Key findings were change management and adaptation, agility and flexibility in operations, analysis of stakeholders, creation of business policies and objectives, designing and executing digital implementation plan, developing and supporting corporate culture, developing and measuring performance standards, and enhancing internal control and processes. Findings could reduce poverty and increase women’s employment, sustainability in women-owned businesses, community development, and the standard of living.

LEGAL REGULATION OF ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKS AND THEIR ROLE IN SUPPORTING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN UZBEKISTAN

The article is dedicated to the study of the legal regulation of entrepreneurial networks in Uzbekistan and their role in supporting women entrepreneurs. The relevance of the topic is driven by the need to expand economic opportunities for women and integrate them into entrepreneurial activities. The article examines the legal acts governing the creation and functioning of such networks and analyses the mechanisms by which they can be leveraged to enhance women’s economic activity. The methodological framework includes an analysis of existing legislation and international practices. The research also provides a comparative analysis of international experiences and develops recommendations for improving the legal framework to strengthen the role of entrepreneurial networks in supporting women-led businesses. As a result, key barriers have been identified, and recommendations are proposed to enhance the legal regulation for more effective support of women entrepreneurs.

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Women Entrepreneurs in Botswana

The present study offers a comprehensive examination of the socio-economic attributes of female entrepreneurs in Botswana, specifically emphasizing the convergence of demographic profiles, educational backgrounds, and entrepreneurial performance. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative research, the study rigorously analyses the elements influencing entrepreneurial outcomes for women in the region. The findings emphasize a robust positive association between increased levels of education and the achievement of business success. Specifically, women with higher education qualifications exhibit better business results in revenue growth, market expansion, and operational profitability. Nevertheless, the research also reveals enduring obstacles female entrepreneurs encounter, namely in obtaining financial access, managing socio-cultural limitations, and harmonizing family responsibilities with business requirements. The results emphasize the necessity of implementing focused policy measures, educational changes, and support structures that specifically tackle the distinct obstacles that women encounter in entrepreneurship.

Female Entrepreneurs Targeting Women: Strategic Redirection Under Scientific Decision-Making

Female Entrepreneurs Targeting Women: Strategic Redirection Under Scientific Decision-Making

Entrepreneurial Competencies for Managing Business in Informal Economy: A Study of B40 Women Entrepreneurs in Malaysia

Globally, the lack of participation among women in entrepreneurship is credited to a series of factors, including a lack of education, inadequate competencies, gender stereotypes, and inadequate access to resources. This study aims to assess the current competencies level of women entrepreneurs in the informal economy in Malaysia. The informal economy—also referred to as the shadow economy- is far more significant than the formal economy and a way of livelihood for many people in most developing countries. Second, this study aims to discover the skills and knowledge required by women entrepreneurs. This study employed a qualitative research approach and purposive sampling technique where 20 women entrepreneurs were selected as key informants. This study only focuses on women entrepreneurs from B40 groups in Kuala Lumpur with more than one year of business experience and involved in informal businesses such as street vendors, hawkers, and home-based businesses. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The study first found that most informants have limited business management competencies. The findings also have categorized the main competencies needed into seven main themes, namely, 1) communication, 2) strategic management, 3) financial management, 4) product innovation, 5) ICT skills, 6) time management, and 7) customer relationship management.

Boosting Business Performance: The Impact of Entrepreneurial Culture on Women Entrepreneurs’ Behavior

Entrepreneurship has been extensively examined across various management disciplines, with significant attention given to women entrepreneurship, which has made considerable strides in recent years. Despite this positive trend, many women continue to face challenges in balancing their business responsibilities with household duties. These challenges often lead to role conflicts as women navigate the demands of both their professional and domestic roles. This research aims to evaluate the impact of adopting an entrepreneurial culture on shaping the entrepreneurial behavior of women entrepreneurs, with the ultimate goal of enhancing their business performance. The study involved 88 married women entrepreneurs and utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) for analysis. Additionally, Importance-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA) was employed to elucidate the significance and impact of each variable. The findings highlight the crucial role of adopting an entrepreneurial culture in women entrepreneurship, demonstrating its substantial influence on both the transformation of entrepreneurial behavior and the enhancement of business performance. Consequently, to achieve superior business performance, it is recommended that entrepreneurs should focus on the cultivation and refinement of their entrepreneurial culture.

Strategi Sukses Wirausaha Perempuan Menghadapi Tantangan dan Peluang di Bulan Ramadhan

Ramadan is a special month for Muslims around the world, including Indonesia. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims will fast and increase their worship and good deeds. However, the month of Ramadan can also provide opportunities and challenges for the business world. especially for female entrepreneurs so that female entrepreneurs need to understand the cultural and religious context that surrounds the month of Ramadan, while still adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of business. This involves culturally sensitive marketing strategies, adjustments to operating hours, and innovations in offering products or services that suit consumer needs during the fasting month. In this study, a descriptive qualitative approach was used, data was obtained using observation, interview, and documentation methods. Furthermore, the data was analyzed through several stages starting from data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. Then data triangulation was carried out to test the validity of the data. The results of this study indicate that women have great potential to achieve their success. Although faced with various challenges and obstacles such as changes in consumption patterns and limited time, women can take advantage of opportunities by implementing smart and innovative strategies. Some strategies that can help women face challenges and maximize business opportunities during the month of Ramadan include: a deep understanding of consumer needs and preferences during the month of Ramadan, flexibility in adjusting operating hours and marketing strategies, creativity in developing products and services that are in line with the Ramadan theme.

ShEO: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

The rise of digital technologies has revolutionized the business landscape, particularly in terms of accessibility and scalability for entrepreneurs. In India, the entrepreneurial ecosystem has historically been male-dominated, but recent trends indicate a significant increase in women-led startups. ShEO, a Flutter-based application, is designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs by providing a comprehensive platform for mentorship, funding, and resource access. The platform leverages matchmaking algorithms to offer a personalized feed, allowing users to connect directly with mentors and investors through short video pitches. This innovative approach not only bridges the gap between entrepreneurs and financial backers but also fosters a more inclusive and supportive ecosystem for women to scale their businesses. The app includes additional features such as a resource library, messaging system, and a dedicated section for funding opportunities, creating a holistic environment for business growth. This paper explores the impact of digital tools like ShEO in empowering women entrepreneurs, reducing barriers to entry, and promoting gender equity in the startup ecosystem.

Advancing Women Entrepreneurs: A Framework for Small Family Businesses Success within the Sustainable Economy

This article introduces the Holistic Enterprise Success and Sustainability Index (HESSI), a novel framework designed to enhance the success of women-led small family businesses (SFBs) in the context of a sustainable economy. Through a comprehensive literature review and theoretical exploration, this study articulates how women entrepreneurs' perspectives are intricately aligned with both familial values and business imperatives. HESSI employs a robust suite of indicators to measure financial robustness, societal contribution, environmental stewardship, and family solidarity—each meticulously refined to reflect the specificities of women-led SFBs. These indicators transcend traditional, financial-centric metrics, advocating for an expansive evaluation of success that considers economic performance alongside social, environmental, and familial well-being. Crucially, the HESSI framework incorporates women's familial insights, positioning them as a driver of internal cohesion and a pivotal element in integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. This broader vision of success metrics includes family unity and the perpetuation of legacy. HESSI promotes an all-encompassing approach to success evaluation that is grounded in gender perspectives, entrepreneurial agility, and a staunch commitment to sustainability principles. The discourse presented is a significant contribution to the fields of gender, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, providing actionable insights into the vital role of women entrepreneurs in forwarding the sustainability agenda. It underscores the importance of advancing education, reinforcing policy frameworks, and fostering community solidarity to support and extend the reach of women-led SFBs, thus charting a course towards a more equitable and sustainable future in the business landscape.

Development of financial literacy and fintech adoption on women SMEs business performance in Indonesia

Women-owned small businesses are crucial to the Indonesian economy. Despite this contribution, women entrepreneurs face many challenges when building their businesses, especially getting business loans. Women entrepreneurs adopt less technology and have less financial expertise than men. This study aims to determine financial literacy factors affecting women SMEs' business success and the extent of financial technology (FinTech) use as an alternative funding source to formal financial institutions. The study examines FinTech adoption using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT Theory). This study also examines how FinTech adoption mediates the indirect effect of financial literacy on SME business performance. The study uses a quantitative research approach using a judgmental sample of 270 women entrepreneurs who have previously used FinTech. The data is analyzed with SEM-PLS. According to the study, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and social influence all have a beneficial impact on FinTech adoption among women-owned small businesses. The survey found that FinTech adoption was a key factor influencing women SMEs' business performance. The findings also indicate that financial literacy has a beneficial effect on business success. The study reveals FinTech adoption as a mediating factor in the association between financial literacy and SMEs business success. As a result, our findings contribute to a better understanding of how digital technology adoption affects SMEs' performance and long-term sustainability. The findings offer insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and company owners looking to enhance the survival rate of SMEs by improving operations and harnessing digital technology to promote capital accessibility, FinTech adoption, and financial literacy.

Women’s Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation: Impact of Mission Shakti in Odisha, India

The study analyzes the impact of women’s entrepreneurial efforts on rural poverty (RP) reduction across two resource-scarce regions of Odisha, India. Its main objectives are creating creative home-based ventures (HBVs) and long-term RP solutions. The analysis assesses how home-based entrepreneurs’ sociocultural, economic and educational backgrounds affect the development of HBVs and the mitigation of RP. A women-led project in Odisha called Mission Shakti uses self-help groups and business ventures to empower women. The original data was gathered from 363 respondents in Odisha who were members of the Mission Shakti group. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to investigate the correlations between the constructs, and AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures 21.0) and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0) were used for the analysis. The findings indicate that RP alleviation through Mission Shakti in Odisha and entrepreneurship have a statistically significant and favourable relationship. The additional findings of the study demonstrate that respondents’ sociocultural capabilities, rather than their educational and economic backgrounds, have a considerable and favourable influence on the expansion of their home-based enterprises and that the improvement of RP alleviation is more positively impacted by the qualitative growth of entrepreneurship than by the numeric growth. The study’s concentration on woman entrepreneurs in Mission Shakti’s rural Khordha and Angul areas is one of its limitations. It is possible to carry out comparable research in other Indian areas where the rural populace is significantly deprived. Policymakers in rural Odisha should consider the findings to address targeted RP. Thus, this report recommends that home-based businesses in rural Odisha should actively explore entrepreneurship to reduce poverty. Additionally, the study offers a helpful lesson to different parties involved in programs to reduce poverty in other developing nations. The integration of capacity theory and SEM in the setting of a rising economy such as Odisha, India, contributes to the body of knowledge in this research regarding the relationship linking entrepreneurship and the alleviation of RP.

Inside Microfinance Matrix: Microfinance Institutions’ Characteristics and Women Credit Access

This study aims to explore the role of Microfinance Institutions’ (MFIs) organisational characteristics including ownership structure, target market, and institutional size, in shaping the lending pattern in reaching women entrepreneurs. This study employs Ordinary Least Square and Fractional Logit regression using STATA on pooled panel data of 2,330 MFIs across 116 countries. A fuzzy algorithm and Principal Component Analysis are applied to verify the consistency of the results. Findings suggest larger MFIs demonstrate greater inclusivity towards women, attributed to their extensive resources and institutional capabilities. Similarly, MFIs targeting affluent clients exhibit a higher likelihood of catering to the financial needs of women. Non-government organisations (NGOs) emerge as key drivers of women credit access, consistently prioritizing women entrepreneurs through targeted interventions. This study contributes to theoretical implications of the interplay between institutional ownership and goals related to social welfare. This finding also expands microfinance literature by emphasising how ownership influences the strategic orientation of MFIs. This study holds significance for financial regulators, and policymakers to utilise this study as a framework to evaluate the interplay between organisational scale, financial sustainability, and the fulfilment of social objectives within the microfinance sector.

The Sustainability Role of Women Entrepreneurs through the Digital Financial Literacy Movement

This study discusses how financial technology and financial literacy play a crucial role in supporting the sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in East Java. The utilization of financial technology, which includes various digital services such as online payments and access to financing, along with financial literacy, which refers to the understanding and ability to manage finances wisely, has been proven to be essential in maintaining the competitiveness and growth of businesses, especially among female entrepreneurs.The research was conducted using a survey involving 390 female entrepreneurs in East Java, selected through purposive sampling. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the findings indicate that both financial technology and financial literacy significantly impact the sustainability of women’s businesses in the region. However, this study is limited by its focus solely on female entrepreneurs in East Java, which may restrict the generalizability of the results to other cities. Therefore, a larger sample size across various regions would provide more comprehensive insights. This study suggests that the East Java government should pay closer attention to this sector, given its significant contribution to the regional and national economy.

Variability of agricultural income for empowerment: Case of cucumber and potato leaves producers in Goréké (San Pedro – Côte d’Ivoire)

Female entrepreneurship in rural areas in French-speaking Africa is more related to rural, processing and marketing activities. The objective of this study is to present the variability of agricultural income of female producers for their empowerment. To this end, fifty female producers from the village of Goréké were interviewed. The areas, poultry droppings + sawdust, NPK 12 22 22, masses and incomes were observed. A Principal Component Analysis showed that on a hectare of cucumber, reasonable amounts of NPK 12 22 22 (80 kg) and organic residue (6,000 kg) provided the best mass (16,000 kg). At the level of potato leaves, 1,600 kg of organic residue and 20 kg of NPK provided the best mass (1,600 kg). Furthermore, the potato leaf producer had an average income during the shortage period of 2226,642 ± 1602,093 CFA francs compared to that of cucumber which is 584,714 ± 296,718 CFA francs. On the other hand, during the abundance period, the average incomes are respectively 713,793 ± 536,983 for potato leaves and 467,771 ± 237,374 CFA francs for cucumber. This difference is explained by the higher selling price per kilogram of potato leaves. In conclusion, the potato leaf producer would be more financially independent. In perspective, training will be provided to market gardeners to optimize the masses produced by rationalizing the masses of fertilizer used for an improvement in income.

The Role of Instagram Videos on the Growth of Female-Owned Businesses in Lagos

Although videos are a compelling form of content on Instagram, women entrepreneurs on Instagram exist within a highly competitive space, and they need to seek out approaches that will give them a competitive edge while creating content for promoting their businesses. The study aimed to explore how Instagram videos can engage potential consumers, promote products, and increase brand awareness. Twenty-three women entrepreneurs were chosen using a snowball sampling technique and were then interviewed in detail, using a qualitative approach. The study showed that Instagram videos and other marketing campaigns influence the growth of women-owned businesses. The key metrics that indicated growth were engagement rates, direct communication channels, lead generation and conversion rates, website traffic, testimonials, and follower growth and retention. These metrics helped women entrepreneurs assess and improve their marketing strategies, identify areas that need improvement, and make decisions to maintain and improve company success. The study recommends that future research should combine both qualitative and quantitative research designs to provide statistical validation for the study's findings as well as content analysis of Instagram videos used by women-owned businesses on Instagram.

Factors Influencing the Career Advancement of Malaysian Women Homepreneurs on the TikTok Platform

Entrepreneurship significantly contributes to economic growth, with recent studies highlighting the rise of female entrepreneurs who challenge traditional business roles by becoming "homepreneurs." The current research focuses on Malaysian women homepreneurs using TikTok, a platform that has transformed from entertainment to a vital business tool, facilitating unique career advancement opportunities. This study aims to explore the impact of digital marketing skills, product quality, customer engagement, and understanding of TikTok's algorithm on the career advancement of Malaysian women homepreneurs. In the quantitative study focusing on the career advancement of Malaysian women homepreneurs using TikTok, the methodology incorporated structured questionnaires to assess the relationships between key variables. The data was collected from 400 participants via Google Forms, leveraging a purposive sampling technique to ensure a representative sample of women homepreneurs active on TikTok. The statistical analysis revealed that while digital marketing skills and customer engagement did not significantly impact career advancement on TikTok, a thorough understanding of the platform's algorithm was strongly associated with career progression. Conversely, the results indicate that product quality was negatively significant in driving career advancement for Malaysian women homepreneurs on TikTok. This study highlights the need for targeted strategies focusing on product excellence and deep comprehension of platform algorithms to effectively leverage TikTok for career development.

Explanation of the Opportunity Identification Model Based on Gender Restrictions Affecting Women's Entrepreneurial Identity

Background: Stereotypical beliefs and gender biases play a limiting and discouraging role in the development of women's entrepreneurship, which can have a significant impact on women's willingness to become entrepreneurs. Methods: This research aims to identify and analyze the gender-based limitations affecting the entrepreneurial opportunities of female entrepreneurs using a mixed-methods approach. This research is applied in terms of its objective. In the qualitative phase, 14 experts were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Data collection was conducted through library studies and semi-structured interviews. In this section, the data were analyzed in three stages: open, axial, and selective coding, which resulted in the identification of 51 indicators and 12 components. The research questionnaire was designed based on these indicators. In the quantitative section, the statistical population was all female entrepreneurs in the pharmaceutical companies under study, which totaled 425 people. Using Cochran's formula and a simple random sampling method, 170 people were selected as the sample size. Data collection was carried out using a researcher-made questionnaire, whose reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89 and validity using expert opinion. Data analysis was performed using SPSS23 and PLS3 Smart software. Results: Based on the research findings, 12 components of social, cultural, economic, educational, legal, behavioral, personality, individual, commercialization, knowledge enhancement, entrepreneurial awareness, and market recognition limitations were identified under the title of dimensions and components of gender-based limitations affecting women's entrepreneurial opportunities. The results also showed that social limitations (β=-0/578), cultural limitations (β=-0/429), economic limitations (β=-0/408), educational limitations (β=-0/346), legal limitations (β=-0/297), behavioral limitations (β=-0/215), personality limitations (β=-0/189), and individual limitations (β=-0/138) have a negative and significant impact on entrepreneurial opportunities

How Entrepreneurial Mindset, Gender Stereotypes, and Innovation Practices Influence the Sustainability of Women-Owned Businesses in Bogor City, Indonesia

This study investigates the influence of entrepreneurial mindset, gender stereotypes, and innovation practices on the sustainability of women-owned businesses in Bogor City, Indonesia. Using a sample of 200 women entrepreneurs, data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that entrepreneurial mindset and innovation practices positively impact business sustainability, while gender stereotypes have a negative effect. The findings emphasize the critical role of fostering a strong entrepreneurial mindset and encouraging innovation among women entrepreneurs, while also addressing the detrimental impact of gender stereotypes on business operations. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on women’s entrepreneurship and offers practical insights for policymakers and support organizations in creating a conducive environment for the sustainability of women-owned businesses

Women empowerment in restaurants: effects of femvertising, purplewashing and feminist identity on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium

Purpose Despite the increasing popularity of women-owned businesses in the marketplace, relatively few studies in the hospitality literature have focused on these businesses. Hence, this study aims to examine the impact of femvertising and purplewashing on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium at women-owned restaurants, as well as the role of feminist self-identification and psychological closeness underlying these associated effects. The study aims to provide insights into women-owned restaurant marketing strategies and to highlight the importance of authentic brand activism in consumer behavior in the restaurant industry. Design/methodology/approach Building on Construal Level Theory, this paper conducts two online experiments with 486 US participants who have dined at or ordered takeout from a restaurant. The studies aim to investigate consumers’ opinions about brand activism strategies (i.e. femvertising and purplewashing) in restaurants. Findings The results of two experimental studies indicate that a femvertising strategy increases consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for a women-owned restaurant compared to a non-women-owned restaurant. Moreover, consumers who identify more strongly as feminists are more likely to pay more for women-owned restaurants when purplewashing is absent (vs present). Additionally, psychological closeness serves as an underlying mechanism that explains these effects. Practical implications This study provides clear and actionable recommendations to help business stakeholders, owners and managers to market and advertise women-owned restaurants. For example, women-owned restaurant practitioners should feature women empowerment messaging in their advertisements to attract more consumers. However, they should avoid using purplewashing and other inauthentic brand activism practices in advertisements. Originality/value This research contributes to the hospitality literature on women entrepreneurship by exploring the effective marketing strategies of women-owned restaurants and investigating how to advertise women-owned businesses in the hospitality field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the very first study to explore the role of femvertising and purplewashing in consumers’ food-related decision-making.

A Study on Digital Literacy and Education Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

In recent years, digital technologies have emerged as powerful tools that can level the playing field for women in entrepreneurship, providing access to markets, networking opportunities, and essential business resources. However, disparities in digital literacy and access to education persist, limiting the ability of many women to fully harness the benefits of these Technologies. This study examines how proficiency in digital skills enables women to leverage online platforms for marketing, networking, and accessing markets beyond geographical boundaries urthermore, this study analyzes the challenges and barriers faced by women entrepreneurs in developing digital literacy skills, including socio-economic factors, cultural norms, and access to technology. It also identifies best practices and strategies for promoting digital literacy and education among women.