Title: Understanding the motivating factors for women entrepreneurs: empirical insights from Indian micro enterprises

Authors: Sheela Bhargava; Rachita Rana

Addresses: Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, 11/07, Sector-11, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075, India ' Maharaja Surajmal Institute, C-4, Janakpuri, New Delhi, 110058, India; Affiliated to: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, India

Abstract: This study is about women entrepreneurs engaged in micro enterprises, their socio-demographic characteristics, their challenges and the factors motivating them to start a business in an urban setting in India. With the intention of attaining deep insights into the current conditions, motives and challenges of Indian urban women in entrepreneurship, a survey of 284 women entrepreneurs running micro enterprises in various areas of service sector like education, (e.g., play schools and coaching centres), beauty care and treatment (beauty parlours/salons), tailoring boutiques, day care centres (crèches) and retail trade (retail shop), etc., was conducted. The respondents were asked about their family structure, capital invested and factors that motivated them to start business. The results revealed the economic, social and personal factors that motivated them to start a business enterprise.

Keywords: women entrepreneur; urban economy; factors motivating to starting business; socio-economic development; economic factors; micro enterprises; service sector; entrepreneurship; micro, small and medium enterprises; MSMEs; government support.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2023.132444

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2023 Vol.49 No.2, pp.287 - 305

Received: 26 Apr 2019
Accepted: 18 Apr 2020
Published online: 20 Jul 2023 *

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