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Woman Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations is a whole systems perspective on the value of investing in development programs for education, skills training, social network relationship and investment to support the growth and success of women entrepreneur micro-enterprise.
Photo left: Hina Shah with Satyameva Jayate Students. By Icecd (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
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Hina Shah at a meeting with entrepreneur widows of Gujarat. By Icecd (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies and Their Impact on Poverty Alleviation by Hina Shah, Director at International Centre for Entrepreneurship And Career Development (ICECD) and Punit Saurabh, Senior Faculty Member ICECD, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
The need to improve the status of women and the promotion of women's roles in development are no longer seen merely as issues of human rights or social justice. Investments in women are now widely recognized as crucial to achieving sustainable development. Economic analyses now perceive that low levels of education and training, poor health and nutritional status, and limited access to resources not only repress women's quality of life but limit productivity and hinder economic efficiency and growth. Therefore, the development of opportunities for women is imperative not only for reasons of equity but also because it makes economic sense and is "good development practice".
Even though the percentage of women in the South Asian region is less then 13%, many women are engaged in petty or micro level businesses to support themselves and their families. (GEM Report 2014) Yet, micro level businesses are not considered viable and hence it is necessary that women are given the handholding to rather become entrepreneurs.
Even though the percentage of women in the South Asian region is less then 13%, many women are engaged in petty or micro level businesses to support themselves and their families. (GEM Report 2014) Yet, micro level businesses are not considered viable and hence it is necessary that women are given the handholding to rather become entrepreneurs.
DOWNLOAD THE PAPER AT THE STORE: Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies for Poverty Alleviation by Hina Shah and Punit Saurabh. PDF Download-10 pages.
Across the global plain, women entrepreneurship development has acquired significant attention in recent years. The next decade could see increased effort in this direction due to objectives of regional balance and employment. The acceleration of economic growth requires an increased supply of women entrepreneurs. Shah (2012), Women entrepreneurs when successful act as a change maker in the family and society and inspire others to become self reliant and take up entrepreneurship. Their success helps the family, society and local and regional economy immensely contributing to the growth of the nation. As per HBR (Vanderbruge,2013) women in emerging markets plough back 90 cents of every additional dollar of income in “human resources” which includes their families’ education, health, nutrition (compared to 30-40% for men) thus helping the family, community and the nation. However, the supply of women entrepreneurs has not been rapid, consistent or sufficiently widespread among various strata of the population, especially among women in poverty and hence the need to promote women entrepreneurship development. (ICECD Report, 1999) Despite attempts to bring out the entrepreneurial capabilities of women, there are substantial challenges which inhibit their capabilities to perform: Some of the challenges include (1) Lack of access to support networks, (2) Issues relating to gender or cultural acceptance (GEM 2014 Report) (3) Lack of basic education (4) Lack of technical skills and knowledge about business and (5) Lack of market knowledge making them vulnerable to exploitation by market forces
In addition and cutting across the globe, the most chronic problems identified by researchers are women's lack of confidence and difficulties in acquisition of entrepreneurial skills (Shah, 1996). Another area of concern is the issue of economic sustainability of women led microenterprises. In the specific context of enhancing the economic position of women, microenterprises can be taken to refer income-generating projects that women undertake to advance their own and their families’ economic well-being.. For rural women living in poverty in India and south Asia in general, the situation is even grimmer, because it is often exacerbated by exploitation. Because of family responsibilities, certain social customs, values and practices in some societies, and because of male dominance, women in India often lack exposure to the outside world. Forced to work within a restricted ecosystem, ,aspiring women entrepreneurs living in rural areas become dependent on middlemen and other agencies, especially if markets are beyond their reach.
Although regional variations should caution us against making general statements about microenterprises and entrepreneur development for women in the region, they should not distract us from discerning common problems faced by the majority of them. These women operate in adverse conditions and overcoming these adversities is of utmost importance as it strikes at the very root of their livelihood. For them, and indeed other disadvantaged women like them, the problems besetting their microenterprises should be given greater attention. Some of the key factors we identified as obstacles in setting up a microenterprise in India specifically and South Asia generally:
In addition and cutting across the globe, the most chronic problems identified by researchers are women's lack of confidence and difficulties in acquisition of entrepreneurial skills (Shah, 1996). Another area of concern is the issue of economic sustainability of women led microenterprises. In the specific context of enhancing the economic position of women, microenterprises can be taken to refer income-generating projects that women undertake to advance their own and their families’ economic well-being.. For rural women living in poverty in India and south Asia in general, the situation is even grimmer, because it is often exacerbated by exploitation. Because of family responsibilities, certain social customs, values and practices in some societies, and because of male dominance, women in India often lack exposure to the outside world. Forced to work within a restricted ecosystem, ,aspiring women entrepreneurs living in rural areas become dependent on middlemen and other agencies, especially if markets are beyond their reach.
Although regional variations should caution us against making general statements about microenterprises and entrepreneur development for women in the region, they should not distract us from discerning common problems faced by the majority of them. These women operate in adverse conditions and overcoming these adversities is of utmost importance as it strikes at the very root of their livelihood. For them, and indeed other disadvantaged women like them, the problems besetting their microenterprises should be given greater attention. Some of the key factors we identified as obstacles in setting up a microenterprise in India specifically and South Asia generally:
- production technologies and skills;
- financial resources;
- marketing and product development and
- management
DOWNLOAD THE PAPER AT THE STORE: Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies for Poverty Alleviation by Hina Shah and Punit Saurabh. PDF Download-10 pages.
To summarize, it can be said that, although some successful strategies have been evolved, much still has to be done in the effort to alleviate poverty by developing women entrepreneurs in the countries of the South Asia region. The overall impression one sets is that, in the countries of the region, the survival and sustainability of the women's microenterprises depend overwhelmingly on external supports, all the way from generating appropriate production technologies and skills to financial support and access to credit to marketing and enterprise management. In one sense, these factors hold true for all enterprises, whether micro, small, medium, or large. However, the capabilities of the women living in poverty are the crucial factors. Those who are capable and possess the skills and knowledge have fought through the non-conducive environment and have progressed. No one should dispute the imperative of effective external support systems without which the poverty-stricken and much disadvantaged women could not even survive. But, after managing to survive, where do the women's microenterprises go to and what directions should they take? What is empowerment for the women if it means permanent dependency on others? Real empowerment can come only through capacity building and independence. These are vital questions that should be asked as we reflect on the future of women's microenterprises in the region, especially where it concerns aspiring women entrepreneurs who are currently living in poverty. Women entrepreneurship development programs, when successfully implemented, help us provide the answers.
DOWNLOAD YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF ICECD Times-International Centre for Entrepreneurship And Career Development (PDF Download-4 pages).
About the Authors
Hina Shah being awarded the Stree Shakti Puraskar by President of India, Smt. Pratibha Patil on Womans Day. By Icecd (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
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Hina Shah has been an entrepreneur since 1978 in the field of plastic packaging. She is currently Director of the International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) in Ahmedabad, India. In 1986, she has transformed her own entrepreneurial experience into this developmental initiative, which has facilitated thousands of disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on women, in becoming entrepreneurs in India and around the world. Hina Shah on Wikipedia.
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Punit Saurabh, ICECD, Entrepreneurship Department, Senior Faculty Member. Studies Entrepreneurship, Innovation statistics, and Social Entrepreneurship. Photo courtesy of the author.
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Punit Saurabh is senior faculty member at International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD) in Ahmedabad, India. His research interests include innovation management and Entrepreneurship development, and he has varied experience in product funding and commercialization. His interests also include international affairs, healthcare, and women entrepreneurship. Follow Punit on Twitter
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Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies for Poverty Alleviation by Hina Shah and Punit Saurabh is also published at Technology Innovation Management Review here.
Keywords: women entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, poverty alleviation, developing nations, women entrepreneurship development programs
Citation: Shah, H., & Saurabh, P. 2015. Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies and Their Impact on Poverty Alleviation. Technology Innovation Management Review, 5(8): 34–43. http://timreview.ca/article/921
Citation: Shah, H., & Saurabh, P. 2015. Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Nations: Growth and Replication Strategies and Their Impact on Poverty Alleviation. Technology Innovation Management Review, 5(8): 34–43. http://timreview.ca/article/921
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