Role of women entrepreneurs and NGOs in promoting entrepreneurship: case studies from Uttarakhand, India

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Lenka ◽  
Sucheta Agarwal

Purpose Women establish their enterprise for economic independence and empowerment. This study aims to identify the factors that promote women entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand, a state in India. Although, women have the potential to become entrepreneurs, they do not have the right opportunities to explore it. Therefore, the role of non-government organizations (NGOs) is imminent in supporting women's entrepreneurial cause. Design/methodology/approach The problems of women entrepreneurs during venture creation have been explored. Case studies of women entrepreneurs and NGOs operating in Uttarakhand have been developed through an in-depth interview method. Findings Entrepreneurial learning occurs because of certain personal, social and environmentally driven motivational factors. Entrepreneurial learning helps in the development of personal, social, managerial and entrepreneurial competencies. These competencies are essential for the performance of an enterprise. Practical implications This study provides directions to policymakers and researchers to focus on developmental programmes for women entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study explores a conceptual framework for the promotion of women entrepreneurship.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritika Mahajan ◽  
Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it discusses the role of entrepreneurship, in general, and women entrepreneurship, in particular, in advancing the cause of sustainable development. Future research directions that emerge from the body of knowledge that the paper relied upon have been identified. Second, it presents unique cases of eight women-led enterprises in energy sector spread across three continents, namely, Asia, Africa and the USA; identifies the constraints and opportunities, analyses the business models and their impact on the quality of life pointers to demonstrate the role of women-led enterprises in sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach The paper combines a schematic review of literature at the interface of entrepreneurship and sustainable development coupled with select relevant case studies addressing the interface. The real-life case studies, which are consciously chosen and compiled from secondary data sources, complement and testify the insights drawn from the schematic literature review. The framework for analyzing the case studies is designed around multidimensional drivers and factors that steer the women-led enterprises. Findings The paper identified the need to look at entrepreneurship through the gendered lens not only for studying entrepreneurship as a discipline, in general, but also to gauge whether the inclusion of women as entrepreneurs is actually advancing the cause of sustainable development. Besides analyzing real-life case studies of accomplished women entrepreneurs to gauge their motivations and mindsets, the process of identification of pain points, identifying differentiating and innovative features, or studying the impact on society, economy and environment, the paper eventually created a schematic framework of key enablers, constraints and strategic response of women entrepreneurs. Originality/value Given the dearth of adequate theoretical and empirical contributions on the study of effectuation, mindsets and drivers of how women entrepreneurship steers the process of sustainable development, the paper is an endeavour in that direction.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwame Adom ◽  
Golda Anambane

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of culture and gender stereotypes in the entrepreneurial journey of women entrepreneurs. It specifically focuses on women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted the qualitative approach and collected data from 20 women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews which were analysed according to identified themes. Findings The key finding of the study is that culture, through gender stereotypes, acts as a “push” motivational factor of women entrepreneurship and breeds more necessity-driven women entrepreneurs than opportunity-driven ones. However, gender stereotyping is found to be a bane to entrepreneurial success of several women-owned enterprises. Due to gender stereotypes, countless women entrepreneurs are sceptical about venturing into “unknown sector” sectors not familiar and operating larger businesses that are likely to yield more profits. Originality/value Currently, there is less research on entrepreneurship and culture/gender stereotypes until now in Ghana, and this study seeks to bridge this gap. The results are discussed linking what is pertaining in other economic landscapes, thus avoiding just national perspectives. This is the first known study conducted in the study area that looks at entrepreneurship through the lens of culture-gender stereotypes.


Author(s):  
Broto Rauth Bhardwaj

Purpose This paper aims to find the role of education in enhancing the status of women entrepreneurs through empowerment and self-employment. This will also help in upliftment of women and community services being contributed by them. The data were collected from all over India (east, west, north and south). Design/methodology/approach The empirical study aims at developing the understanding about role of nature of business-influencing community services through women entrepreneurship. Several organizations from manufacturing and services sectors were selected for the empirical study established by women entrepreneurs. Findings The data were collected through a questionnaire survey, observations and an interview method. There is a significant relationship between size of the business expansion and the sector of business and profit generated for enhancing community services through women entrepreneurship. Research limitations/implications This implies that in the Indian context, mostly women entrepreneurs invest and set up enterprises mostly in sectors of beauty, retail, food and childcare, other sectors that require less investment, less manual labor and comparatively non-heavy engineering sectors. Originality/value The results show that the expansion plan is dependent on the profits and objective of community services generated in the business.


Author(s):  
Farhana Ferdousi ◽  
Parveen Mahmud

Abstract Social business is a growing phenomenon in the emerging economy due to its appeal toward reducing social problems from the society. Women’s, especially rural women’s, economic activities are mainly confined to the household chores because of the existing patriarchal norms of the society. Social businesses, through providing equity funds, are creating opportunities for the women to pursue entrepreneurial career. This study attempted to analyze the role of social business for developing women entrepreneurship. Primary data were collected from 28 women Nobin Udyokta (new entrepreneurs) and four key informant interviews. The study showed that social business fund plays an important role toward women entrepreneurship development through providing financial (social business fund), human (formal or informal training), and social capital (network) to the women entrepreneurs which is necessary for sustainable entrepreneurship development. Therefore, government and non-government organizations as well as private sectors were suggested to come forward to provide more social business funds and build supportive environment for the women entrepreneurs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 771-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luay Anaya ◽  
Mohammed Dulaimi ◽  
Sherief Abdallah

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to articulate clear understanding about the role of enterprise information systems (EIS) in developing innovative business practices. Particularly, it aims to explore the different ways that make EIS enables innovation development. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted exploratory case study, based on qualitative approach. Investigations included two case studies each involved interviewing a number of senior information technology staff, working at these cases. Findings – The paper provides empirical insights about the EIS role in enabling innovation. The analysis of the case studies revealed that integrating an EIS with other system(s) or with digital devices can provide new practices that could not be easily available without these technologies. The study also found that applying data analytics tools into data accumulated from EIS, to extract new insights, lead to innovative practices. Practical implications – The study provides a set of recommendations for organizations interested to maximize the benefits from their investments in EIS. Originality/value – The paper provides evidences from cases in United Arab Emirates for the EIS role in enabling business innovation.


Author(s):  
Shirley C. Sonesh ◽  
Angelo S. DeNisi

Purpose – Although several authors have suggested that host country nationals (HCNs) play an important role in the management of expatriates (e.g. Toh and DeNisi, 2003; Farh et al., 2010), research has also suggested that this relationship is not always good, and the flow of critical information to expatriates can be limited. This is especially true when HCNs categorize the expatriates as “out-group” members. The purpose of this paper is to examine potential determinants of categorization decisions as well as potential outcomes related to expatriate socialization. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a dyadic survey approach to determine the antecedents to expatriate categorization and HCN socialization behaviors from the perspective of both the expatriate and HCN. Findings – The results of survey data from 65 expatriate-HCN dyads indicated that expatriate ethnocentrism and the salience of the expatriates’ nationality were important predictors of categorization, but that categorization was related to only one dimension of socialization. However, affect was found to play a role in predicting socialization behaviors. Research limitations/implications – There is potential selection bias since expatriates chose HCNs as respondents, but results suggested this was not a serious problem. Other limitations include a relatively small sample size and the fact that a number of contextual issues such as national stereotypes and MNC strategy, are not controlled for. Practical implications – Implications of these findings for the successful management of expatriate assignments include sending over expatriates with the right relational skills, and those low in ethnocentrism, rather than just the right technical skills. Originality/value – The present study was one of the first to empirically test the potential role of categorization in the process of socialization.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norfaridah Ali Azizan ◽  
Amirul Afif Muhamat ◽  
Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽  
Husniyati Ali ◽  
Amalia Qistina Casteneda Abdullah

PurposeWaqf (endowment) lands constitute as among the highest types of waqf (endowment) properties in Malaysia; yet it is still unable to reach its maximum potential due to various challenges such as capital, location, legal and administrative issues. Therefore, this study intends to explore these issues by focussing on the two states in Malaysia (Selangor and Perak) that have fertile lands but different management authorities.Design/methodology/approachThere were series of interviews that had been conducted with ten (10) key informants who are experts and practitioners in the areas of Shariah (Islamic law), farming, agribusiness, land management and waqf.FindingsFindings exhibit that constraints and challenges that had been highlighted in the previous literature still exist (although some improvements had been made), but there is emerging theme that the study intends to highlight which is on the needs to secure market for the agribusiness produce and the potential role of anchor company in the agribusiness. It is pertinent that for agribusiness to thrive, selecting the right anchor company that has the capacity to address the challenges is necessary. This study posits two anchor company models (Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company and Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company-Community Farmers) that can be applied for agribusiness on the waqf lands.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on the Malaysia's context influenced by specific country's features. Nevertheless, such findings can still be used as reference or benchmark by other endowment trustees in other countries especially for the Muslim countries as well as the non-Muslim countries that have significant Muslim populations.Social implicationsThe suggested models have potentials to improve the living condition of the B40 (below 40% household income) in Malaysia because the models encourage their participation in the agribusiness activities.Originality/valueThis study focusses on the agribusiness, which is rarely being given attention in previous literature in the context of endowment lands. Therefore, this article bridges the literature gap and at the same time attempts to provide suggestion to address the pertinent issue – the underutilised endowment lands.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The study uses two case studies to explore the integration-responsiveness problem in multi-national enterprises and finds that locally sensitive employer branding and facilitating employee voice can help mitigate global-local tensions in religiously sensitive environments. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman ◽  
Fatma Othman Alamoudy

Purpose This paper aims to develop a framework for optimising building performance through the integration between risk management (RM) and building information modelling (BIM) during the design process. Design/methodology/approach To achieve this aim, a research strategy consisting of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire is designed to accomplish four objectives. First, to examine the concepts of design process, building performance, RM and BIM; second, to present three case studies to explain the role of using RM and BIM capabilities towards optimising building performance; third, to investigate the perception and application of architectural design firms in Egypt towards the role of RM and BIM for enhancing building performance during the design process; and finally, to develop a framework integrating RM and BIM during the design process as an approach for optimising building performance. Findings Through literature review, the research identified 18 risks that hamper optimising building performance during the design process. In addition, 11 building performance values and 20 BIM technologies were defined. Results of data analysis showed that “Design budget overrun”, “Lack of considering life cycle cost” and “Inefficient use of the design time” were ranked the highest risks that affect the optimisation of building performance. Respondents ranked “Risk avoid” or “Risk transfer” as the most risk responses adopted in the Egyptian context. In addition, “BIM As Built” was ranked the highest BIM technology used for overcoming risks during the design process. These findings necessitated taking action towards developing a framework to optimising building performance. Originality/value The research identified the risks that affect optimising building performance during the design process. It focuses on improving the design process through using the capabilities of BIM technologies towards overcoming these risks during the design process. The proposed framework which integrates RM and BIM represents a synthesis that is novel and creative in thought and adds value to the knowledge in a manner that has not previously occurred.


2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (8) ◽  
pp. 12-14

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings It is said that the most stressful event in our lives is moving house. The risk of the whole project falling through; the sheer scale of planning and coordination required; the emotional highs and lows of the success or failure in finding the right home to move to. Certainly, there are few activities that adults go through that guarantee such a levels of anxiety. And if this is the case for our private lives, then what is the equivalent of our business lives? Implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


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