CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

A STUDY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN SMALL SCALE BUSINESS

*JUBLIN PRASANNA. P, **Dr.M.VENKATRAMAN

Abstract:
Entrepreneurship plays an imperative role in the growth of any society. Development of
entrepreneurship culture and qualitative business development services are the major
requirements for industrial growth. Entrepreneurship emerges from an individual‘s creative spirit
into long-term business ownership, employment creation, capital formation and economic
security. Entrepreneurial skills are essential for industrialization and for alleviation of mass
unemployment and poverty. Entrepreneurship is an economic activity which is undertaken by an
individual or group of individuals. Entrepreneurship can be defined as the making of a ―new
combination‖ of already existing materials and forces; that entrepreneurship throws up as
innovations, as opposed to inventions and that no one is entrepreneur forever, only when he or
she is actually doing the innovative activity.

Keywords: Women, entrepreneurs, development.

Introduction:

―A women entrepreneur can be defined as a confident, innovative and creative women capable of
achieving self economic independence individually or in collaboration, generates employment
opportunities for others through initiating, establishing and running the enterprise by keeping
pace with her personal, family and social life‖ - Kamal Singh.

The Definition given by Government of India about women entrepreneurs, ―An enterprise owned
and controlled by a women and having a minimum financial interest of 15% of the capital and
giving at least 51% of the employment generated in the enterprise to women‖.

It is imperative to note the participation of women in economic activities as self employed

individuals. Many of the traditional occupation s open to women were mainly based on caste and
creed and the nature of self-employment was based on the standard of living. Presently not only
are women generating employment for themselves in the unorganized sector they are also
providing employment to others. The country needs to mobilize and utilize fully all its resources
including human resources. The participation of women in economic activities is necessary not
only from a human resource point of view but is essential even for the objective of raising the
status of women in society. The economic status of women is now accepted as an indicator of a
society‘s stage of development. Therefore, it becomes imperative for the government to frame
policies for the development of entrepreneurship among women. The long-term objectives of the
development programs for women should aim to raise their economic and social status in order

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science

http://www.casirj.com Page 222
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

to bring them into the mainstream of national life and development. For this due recognition has
to be accorded to the role and contribution of women in the various social economic political and
cultural activities.

In India, women‘s participation in economic activity is common from time immemorial. The role
of women has gone through several transitions. It took centuries for women‘s roles to move in
the present direction. There are some regions where women live in a barbarian era, chained and
shackled to the social taboos and restrictions of others who frame a code of conduct. At the same
time there are other regions where women fight for and win freedom and opportunity to play
their roles in a new context with new occupations and a new way of life. As regards the ancient
industries of India, family was the unit of production where women played an important role in
the production process. Even in Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa culture, women shared a responsible
position with men and helped in spinning and clay modeling and other simple arts and crafts.
Women played a very pivotal role in creating household utility requirements and agricultural
activities and weaving during the Vedic Period. In the traditional economy, they played vital
roles in agriculture industry and services. They were the makers of intoxicant soma-juice, a
skillful task. In the 18th century, women had a significant role in economy and a definite status
in the social structure. Women‘s informal trading activities in the international distribution
system have been well documented since early 1950s. Since 1970 systematic efforts have been
made by the Government to promote self employment among women. Women entrepreneurship
in India became popular in the late 1970s and now more and more women are emerging as
entrepreneurs in all kinds of economic activities. According to the 1971 Census, the total female
working population is about 13.8 per cent of the total work force. It was only from Fifth Five
Year Plan (1974-78) onwards that women‘s development was recognized as an identified sector.
1980s provided the real breakthrough for women in many fields and many frontiers. During the
1990s, women were capable, competent, confident and assertive and had a clear idea about the
ventures to be undertaken and they succeeded in them. Many women entered large-scale
enterprises of their parents or husbands and proved their competence and capabilities. Women
acquired high self-esteem and the capability of solving the problems independently through
economic independence. In the 21st century women are becoming experts in all the fields. With
the growing awareness about business and the spread of education, they have entered new areas
such as engineering, electronics and energy and acquired expertise in these fields. Many of the
new industries are headed and guided by women. However, in India a large number of highly
educated women do not seek employment.

Objectives of the Study:

 To study the socio-economic background of women entrepreneurs.

 To study the ideas, opinion and preferences of women entrepreneurs towards Small Scale
Business.
International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science
http://www.casirj.com Page 223
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

 To study various problems of women entrepreneurs associated with the business.

 To study the level of satisfaction of different schemes of the government for women
entrepreneurs.

 To offer suggestions based on the findings of the study.

Methodology:

Type of the study:

Description study also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the
population or phenomenon being studied.

Area of the study:

The area of the study refers to a particular City.

Source of data:

Primary Data

The first hand information was collected by the researcher after finalizing the study area.
Through well structured questionnaire primary data was collected. It was collected from 100
respondents.

Secondary Data

The Secondary data was collected from the study related websites, journals and magazines. It
was collected through the library to facilitate proper understanding of the conceptual frame work
about the study.

Sample Design:

For the purpose of the study 100 Questionnaire were collected from the women entrepreneurs.
Convenience sampling method is administered in this study.

Data Analysis:

The collected data is then edited consolidated and subjected to suitable to suitable statistical test
and the data is presented in the form of percentage and exhibits.

Tools used for analysis:

 Percentage Analysis
 Chi-Square Analysis
International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science
http://www.casirj.com Page 224
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

 Average Rank Analysis

 Average Score Analysis
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Lehrer Sara (1981)1 studied the effects of a women‘s conference on participant‘s attitude
towards women‘s role in society. It was observed that the conference did not make much effect
on changing the attitude of participants towards women‘s role in the development of society. The
perception about women in the past has cooled them to think in the direction of other people.
Women have realized their own potentials as entrepreneurs but they need the encouragement
from the state. The environment of women entrepreneurs to bloom can be created by the
government through policies designed for women entrepreneurs.

Scherer (1989)2 revealed that up to 65% of women entrepreneurs had one or more
entrepreneurial parents and the role model performance was not as important as having a role
model. Father is the most significant role model in the family who influence the women students
desire to own a business.

Cox and Jennings (1990)3 in his title ―The Foundation of success:The Development work
experience and characteristics of british entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs‖ argued that money is
rarely the primary driving force for women entrepreneurs who come from the upper income
group. It is found that they are driven by the objective of providing services to mankind.

Hejmadi (1990)4 in his paper ―Women entrepreneurs in small industries‖ conducted an

exploratory research in the coastal district namely Dakshina Kannada to evaluate the
entrepreneurship in small scale industries. Focus group interviews with 140 entrepreneurs of
proprietorship concerns and 11, entrepreneurs from partnership firms were conducted to find out
the relationship of successful entrepreneurs with their education and business background.

Singh (1992)5 in her study on women entrepreneurs found that the entrepreneur power, self-
actualization and achievement motivation and significantly are higher in entrepreneurs compared
to economic and motivation. The study also gave a good idea about the women entrepreneurs in
developing their skills by various methods of adaption

An empirical study by Srivastava (1994)6 revealed that women entrepreneurs in India engaged
in wide variety non-traditional business activities are well equipped with education and
experience and are highly motivated to do their business independently and are prepared to face
any challenge. There are fully involved in the business so as to gain enhanced economic and
social status. This is indicative of healthy foundation of small business enterprises with high
growth prospects. Given suitable and timely infrastructure support by the government and its
various agencies, small women entrepreneurs can contribute significantly to the up-liftment of
India‘s economy.

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science

http://www.casirj.com Page 225
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

Taylor and Brooksbank (1995)7 examined the marketing practices among small New Zealand
organization by taking a sample of 427 small business owners. The findings revealed that the
small business firms look at the marketing practices differently from their larger counter parts.

Breen (1995)8 examined financial and family issues by taking a sample of 211 female
entrepreneurs from Australia. The study highlighted that female business owners faced the
problem of getting finance, and started business with low initial capital. On the family front, self-
employed women faced the problem of supervision and care for their sick children.

Lalitha Rani (1996)9 in her study of 100 women entrepreneurs in manufacturing, trading and
service in Visakhapatnam city of Andhra Pradesh, referred to as ‗Visakhapatnam Study‘,
analyzed the socio- economic background of women entrepreneurs. The respondents were either
from families which were already in business or having highly educated husbands (or) fathers.
Women preferred to start enterprises on their educational background. Service sector enterprises
had entrepreneurs with higher level of education, and trading with comparatively lower
education level. In manufacturing, nearly half of them had technical education. Majority of
entrepreneurs in the service sectors were employed prior to start the enterprise. The socio-
economic profile of women entrepreneurs in Visakhapatnam is largely Telugu – speaking
forward community, Hindu, in the 30-39 year age group at the time of starting the enterprise,
coming from a nuclear, middle class family, and with well – educated husbands settled in
business. Many of the respondents migrated to Visakhapatnam owing to husband or father‘s
business or job.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: A PROFILE

The origin of the basic word ―entrepreneurship‖ is from a French word ―Entree‖ „To enter‖ and
―Prendre‖ ―to take‖ and in general sense applies to any person starting a new project or trying a
new opportunity. The oxford English dictionary 1897 defines the term ―Entrepreneur‖ in similar
way as the director or the manager of public musical institution, one who gets up entertainment
arranged, especially musical performance. Initially in the early sixteenth century applied to those
who were engaged in military expeditions. In seventeenth century it was extended to cover civil
engineering activities such as construction and fortification. Since then the term entrepreneur is
used in various ways

Small scale industries are small in term but they play a gigantic role in the Indian
economy. These SSI units are the integral part of the overall economic, social and industrial
development of a country. Women Entrepreneurs have an important role to play in developing
nations. A Women entrepreneur is the one who creates something new and undertakes risks and
hurdles of economic uncertainty and organises production. Today women have been a crucial
factor in the socio-economic changes as they are the one who envisage new opportunities; new
techniques and new line of production and also co-ordinates various other activities. Women
entrepreneurs are the one who are engaged in the productive activities, SSI, small business,

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science

http://www.casirj.com Page 226
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

manufacturing industries such as- manufacturing of detergent powders, cotton ropes, handicrafts,
doll making, toys, food processing etc. Women in SSI provide an ideal entrepreneurial
opportunity to utilize their skills profitably. These industries provide economic opportunities
which innate skills of many women towards effective uses. Besides, it also provides
opportunities for self employment and be counted among the income generation. This is the main
reason why women are moving more towards SSI in urban areas as it provides an ideal link
between work and living. It also provides advantages of having freedom to allocate time between
work and leisure. Having considered these circumstances, and the empirical facts that most
women generally utilize their skills which already they have within themselves and they
implement it into this sector of manufacturing. This defiantly is improving their entrepreneurial
skill significantly. Family has become a very important source in providing encouragement
because this makes women suitably involved in the field of production and also has market
orientations in this sector. This also suits a large number of women who are not in a position to
compete openly in labour market. Herein, consumerism and purchasing power go on increasing
because of branded goods and goods without brand names available in the market.

Women Entrepreneurship: Key to Success

Today‘s world is not static it is dynamic, more women are deciding to launch there own business
for a variety of reasons.
1. To achieve for independence & flexibility.
2. To better balance work & family.
3. To make optimum use of technical education & qualifications.

Characteristics of Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs tend to be highly motivated &self directed, they also exhibit a high
internal locus of control & achievement. Researchers contend that women business owners
possess certain specific characteristics that promote their creativity and generate new ideas and
ways of doing things. Did you know that women-owned businesses are one of the fastest
growing segments of our economy, according to the Small Business Administration. If you have
been considering starting your own business, now is a good time to get started. Starting your own
business takes a lot of know how starting with planning. You also have to know about
preparation, financing and marketing. Add to that, is the importance of keeping an open and
positive frame of mind. You have to believe you can succeed in order to make it a reality. One
key characteristic of all successful entrepreneurs is that they have vision. They find a niche in a
particular market and find a way to fill it. They give life to their vision/business and either
personally or finding a way to make it happen. This ―vision‖ keeps them focused and able to
bring product or service to the market.

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science

http://www.casirj.com Page 227
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

CATEGORIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA

 Established in big cities.

First category

 Having higher technical qualifications.

 Sound financial positions.

 Established in cities and towns

Second category

 Having sufficient education

 Undertaking women services- kinder garden, crèches, beauty parlors, health clinics etc

 Illiterate Women
Third category

 Financially week
 Involved in family business like agriculture, dairy, handlooms power looms horticulture
Women Entrepreneurship No of Units No Of Women
Percentage
States Registered Entrepreneurs
Tamil Nadu 9618 2930 30.36
Uttar Pradesh 7980 3180 39.84
Kerala 5487 2135 38.91
Punjab 4791 1618 33.77
Maharashtra 4339 1394 32.12
Gujarat 3872 1538 39.72
Karnataka 3822 1026 26.84
Madhya Pradesh 2967 842 28.38
Other States & UTS 14576 4185 28.71
Total 57,452 18,848 32.82
etc.

SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

Suggestions:

1. Create awareness about schemes for women entrepreneurs: There are many schemes for
women entrepreneurs‘ especially through ministry of small and medium enterprises (MSME) but
many women entrepreneurs are unaware about such schemes. Therefore there should be proper
awareness campaign through the industry institutes at central, state, districts and by NGO‘s. This
will give a clear picture to the budding women entrepreneurs.

2. Financial Assistance: Though bank and financial institutions provide financial support to
women entrepreneurs, it involves many formalities and procedures where the women
entrepreneurs hesitate and neglect them. Therefore these formalities can be reduced and also
International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science
http://www.casirj.com Page 228
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

financial assistance can be given for more interest free period so that many women entrepreneurs
will be benefited.

3. Adequate training programs: It is necessary that the industrial institutions which are coming
under MSME‘s should consolidate for more motivational and technical training programs which
will help the women entrepreneurs to overcome psychological and technological constraints.

4. Centralized production hubs: Many manufacturing units of women entrepreneurs do not

have proper facilities for production. This is due to high cost of establishment of modern
machineries. If centralized production hubs are established this will attract more women
entrepreneurs to take up business without fear of risk.

5. Centralized marketing hub: Marketing the products is another greatest challenge of women
entrepreneurs. The high cost for advertisement and sales promotional aspects are burden for
women entrepreneurs. Therefore centralized hubs for marketing their products will be a great
boon for the women entrepreneurs.

6. Research development centre: New innovative ideas involve a series of research process.
Women entrepreneurs will not have research and development department in their business. If
there is a centre for research and development in every district it will help women entrepreneurs
to go with innovative and new product development and also develop products with quality
specification and ISO standard.

7. Establishment of a good marketing team: Women entrepreneurs should also develop a

systematic marketing process in the organization. They should establish a sound marketing team
which will take their product to every door step of consumers.

8. Government subsidy: The government should provide women entrepreneurs with adequate
subsidies like exemptions from tax, VAT payment and other related aspects. This will help
women entrepreneurs in a considerable manner.

Conclusion:

The growth of women entrepreneurs in the recent past has increased since 1991. The
small business units which are less challenging with fair return are the first choice for women
entrepreneurs. They do not come forward to take up large business because of high business risk,
fear of loss, lack of innovative ideas, financial and other business constraints. Women
entrepreneurs are contributing a considerable share in the GDP of our country. The total
percentage of women entrepreneurs are very less comparatively with the men entrepreneurs. If
the government provides them the necessary infrastructure and a viable environment to do the
business for women there will be a good percentage of the women population who will emerge
in doing business. If the suggestions given in the study is executed then there will be more
opening for the women entrepreneurs to come out and be successful in their business.
International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science
http://www.casirj.com Page 229
CASIRJ Volume 9 Issue 3 [Year - 2018] ISSN 2319 – 9202

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books:

 S.P. Gupta (2007), ―Statistical Methods‖, Sultan Chand & Sons Educational Publishers,
New Delhi.
 G.S. Batra & R.C. Danwal (1999), ―Entrepreneurship and small scale industries‖, Deep
and Deep Publication Pvt Ltd, New Delhi.
 Poornima .M. Charantimath (2006), ―Entrepreneurship Development small scale
enterprises‖, Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt Ltd, Delhi.
 Kothari (2002),‖ Research Methodology‖, Sultan Chand Publication, New Delhi.
Websites:

 www.wikipedia.com
 www.snapsurvey.com
 www.dic.com
 www.indianjournals.com
 www.msme.com
 www.msmeschemes.com

International Research Journal of Commerce Arts and Science

http://www.casirj.com Page 230