scholarly journals Gendered Dimensions of Trade: Evidence from Arunachal Pradesh, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-96
Author(s):  
Kaushalendra Pratap Singh ◽  
Saumya . ◽  
Chetna K. Rathore

International trade has traditionally played an essential role in driving women-centric economic empowerment. Women’s participation as owners or managers has remained consistently low over the years. In India's case, a previous study conducted by UNDP revealed that women entrepreneurs preferred engaging in informal cross-border business as it was less risky with no tax burdens and their discomfort in dealing with male customs officials (UNDP, 2016). One of the critical limitations of active business engagement is socio-economic and cultural restriction, especially at the grassroots level. The case in Arunachal Pradesh is no different, as the concept of entrepreneurship of women in this field is a relatively recent phenomenon. In Arunachal Pradesh, the market is mainly controlled by women, yet women's participation in small and medium enterprises is less in number. In this context, the current paper discusses the nature of women entrepreneurs’ role in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and cross-border trade. It unveils the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Arunachal Pradesh and along with industrial and policy-related bottlenecks. The discussion is based on the primary data collected from the women-led/managed/owned MSMEs to study the gender dimensions of trade in Arunachal Pradesh. The findings of the study are that women entrepreneurship primarily gravitates around smaller-sized firms, with most women-led enterprises accounting for micro-enterprises in the formal sector. Like elsewhere in Arunachal Pradesh too, there remain socio-economic and cultural restrictions, especially at the grassroots level. Women lag in terms of awareness about import and export, technology, and dedicated bank accounts. Submitted: 16 October 2020; Revised: 18 March 2021; Accepted: 08 April 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-357
Author(s):  
Dewi Sad Tanti ◽  
Robert Jeyakumar Nathan ◽  
Ponco Budi Sulistyo ◽  
Soekmawati ◽  
Farah Hanim ◽  
...  

Women’s share in the business sector in Malaysia and Indonesia lags behind their male counterpart. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could serve as a game changer to empower women startup and entrepreneurs. The acceptance and usage of Mobile ICT in business operations could empower more women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and fulfill customer needs and wants. However, there is a lack of established models to measure mobile ICT’s role in women MSMEs in these developing countries. Through the review of policy papers and relevant literatures, this study presents a framework to assess the adoption of Mobile ICT in women-led MSMEs factoring cross-border networking. Building upon Social Network Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, this study presents a framework and discusses recommendations for further action to empower women-led MSMEs in both countries by leveraging on cross-border networking capabilities between Indonesian and Malaysian women-led MSMEs. This study highlights the strength of international and cross-border networking among women startup and entrepreneurs where mentoring could happen to empower women startups and entrepreneurs.   Keywords: Mobile ICT usage, women empowerment, MSMEs development, workforce digitization, cross-border entrepreneurship, social network theory, startups.   Cite as: Tanti, D. S., Nathan, R. J., Sulistyo, P. B., Soekmawati, Hanim, F., & Sarjuni, V. (2021). Empowering cross-border women entrepreneurs via mobile ICT: Framework for Malaysian and Indonesian women-led MSMEs.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(2), 340-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp340-357


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Walter

Global trade has changed rapidly, and in some ways dramatically, since the Great Recession began in 2008. Two sometimes competing factors are at play: the slowdown in globalization due primarily to protectionist measures employed at the national level and the new international opportunities created by technology and regulatory environment reform. Both factors present unique benefits and challenges for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)1 engaging in or planning to engage in cross-border trade. Barriers to MSME cross-border trade remain high, with one of the highest being the lack of cross-border access to commercial justice for smaller participants. There is a decreased incentive for small businesses to engage in trade and global value chains, or to use arm’s length contracts in such cases, where there is little potential for resolving disputes through litigation, arbitration or mediation. One solution that is gaining significant attention in legal, business and technology circles is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), which is, in turn, driving legal harmonization that benefits MSMEs. This paper is a discussion of the evolution of a new generation of micro and small cross-border entrepreneurs, the growth of and rationale for improved access to commercial justice, the role the CISG should play in technology-assisted dispute resolution and, more generally, in establishing an environment conducive to MSME growth.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-140
Author(s):  
Rita Afsar

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are often considered as panacea for generating labour-intensive employment opportunities needed to absorb expanding labour force, providing much needed flexibility and innovations in the economy as a whole, diversifying economic activities and making significant contribution to export and poverty alleviation. There is disproportionately high concentration of women in the low-productive, low-income generating micro-enterprises and subsequent low representation of women entrepreneurs in the SME sector due to some of the inherent problems of this sector compounded with systematic gender based inequality. Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics show that in Bangladesh, only about 7.4 per cent of the establishments in manufacturing and services as of 2001-2003 are owned by women. This compares with about 20 per cent in India as of 2000 and that of nearly 39 per cent in the South-East Asian region. Clearly it suggests the need for policy push to increase women’s participation and enhance their capacity. Based on a thorough literature review including research and other policy as well as programme related documents, this paper highlights the major constraints faced by women entrepreneurs and suggest appropriate policy measures to address those gaps and challenges from a review of the existing SME policies. It argues that the whole process of SME development should have a clear structure and a vision for enhancing capability of the entrepreneurs to compete in the global and domestic markets which demand special focus on women entrepreneurs who are often marginalized in the existing women unfriendly environment. A broad and comprehensive focus on information and capital accessibility, skill development and marketing linkage is essential to increase women’s participation in SME.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-41
Author(s):  
Colin Agabalinda ◽  
Alain Vilard Ndi Isoh

The study investigated the direct effects of financial literacy (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) on financial preparedness for retirement and the moderating effect of age among the small and medium enterprises in Uganda. Primary data was collected from a sample of n = 380 selected from the SME workforce. Descriptive analysis was run on SPSS, while validity and reliability of the measurement items yielded satisfactory composite reliability scores and average variance explained (AVE) scores for all items. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses and multi-group analysis conducted to test for the moderating effect of age on the relationship between financial literacy and retirement preparedness. The results revealed that knowledge and skills were significant predictors of retirement preparedness. However, ‘attitude' was not a significant predictor, and age had no moderating effect on the relationship between the study variables. These findings present practical implications for policymakers and financial educators in a developing country context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2150
Author(s):  
Carmen Emilia Chașovschi ◽  
Carmen Nastase ◽  
Mihai Popescu ◽  
Adrian-Liviu Scutariu ◽  
Iulian-Alexandru Condratov

The research aim was to identify the training needs of entrepreneurs and employees within small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the Suceava, Chernivtsi, and Bălți regions, to analyze the specific training practices in the cross-border area, and to identify the common features or the disparities. The research contains an exploratory survey, based on a semi-structured questionnaire that investigates the training needs in the SMEs and specific training practices with a comparative approach. The results relate to the challenges faced by transformation economies and by the specificities of SMEs from these remote areas. Additionally, the research connects the factors involved in planning and delivering training programs for employees in SMEs in this EU peripheral area with the weaknesses of the companies in facing the market competitive economy. The results of the survey disclosed some common features and specificities related to training needs, training responsibilities, and interests in the SMEs from this cross-border area. The discussions are relevant for different categories of stakeholders, at the micro-level, for the management of the companies, but also on a larger scale, in planning the new development programs for the labor market in the targeted areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 255
Author(s):  
MinhTam Bui ◽  
Trinh Q. Long

This paper identifies whether there was a performance difference among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) led by men and by women in Vietnam during the period 2005–2013 and aims to provide explanations for the differences, if any, in various performance indicators. The paper adopts a quantitative approach using a firm-level panel dataset in the manufacturing sector in 10 provinces/cities in Vietnam in five waves from 2005 to 2013. Fixed effect models are estimated to examine the influence of firm variables and demographic, human capital characteristics of owners/managers on firms’ value added, labor productivity and employment creation. We found that men led MSMEs did not outperform those led by women on average. Although the average value added was lower for female-led firms in the informal sector, the opposite was true in the formal sector where women tend to lead medium-size firms with higher value added and labor productivity. The performance disparity was more envisaged across levels of formality and less clear from a gender perspective. Moreover, while firms owned by businessmen seemed to create more jobs, firms owned by women had a higher share of female employees. No significant difference in business constraints faced by women and by men was found.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Muslimah Mahmudah ◽  
Deden Dinar Iskandar

This study aims to analyze the impact of tax morale on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) tax complianceSemarang City as the case study. This study uses primary data generated from 117 samples of MSMEs in Semarang. Data analysis is performed  using binary logistic regression analysis. The results showed that environmental, institutional, ethical, business, and business size variables significantly influence MSMEs tax compliance. On the other hand, variables whose effect on tax compliance is not statistically significant include happiness, religiosity, gender, age, education, and marital status.


2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Afroze ◽  
Md Kashrul Alam ◽  
Eliza Akther ◽  
Nahid Sultana Jui

The aim of this study is to find out the major challenges that hinder smooth operation of women entrepreneurs of Bangladesh. It also finds the reasons behind the success of the women entrepreneurship. Both primary and secondary data have been used to conduct the study. The questionnaire included questions about economic problems, family related issues, social constraints and other limitations faced by women entrepreneurs and the reasons behind their success. Women involved in various small and medium enterprises take on the challenge to work in a male-dominated society, competitive and complex economic and business environment. However, the identified challenges are inadequate capital, sales promotion, getting permission to start-up a business, gender discrimination, illiteracy and lack of knowledge among women, non-availability of training program and technical support, lack of managerial experience, in some cases young people make ill talk about the enterprise and so on. Personal qualities such as hard work and perseverance, management skills and marketing skills, support provided by their spouses or family are the main reasons behind the success of the women entrepreneurs. The level of participation of women in mainstream economic activities remains insufficient and the percentage of women in business is still much below than that of their male counterparts.Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.9(2) 2014; 27-41


10.29007/dkzg ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Remedios Hernández Linares ◽  
María José Naranjo ◽  
Héctor Sánchez Santamaría ◽  
Mercedes Rico García ◽  
Laura Fielden Burns ◽  
...  

Over the last twenty years the impact of language in international and multinational companies has attracted significant scholarly attention, which is reflected in the growing literature. However, and despite the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constitute the engine of numerous economies worldwide, the impact of foreign languages on SMEs’ performance remains understudied. This is especially intricate because, considering that SMEs often have fewer resources, the commitment of such resources to language acquisition and foreign language education can only be justified in the case of improved performance. To address this gap, the objective of our research aims to get insights whether and how the domain of a foreign language (mainly English) affects SMEs’ performance. For this purpose, we perform an exploratory empirical study based on data collected through a telephone questionnaire during the first semester of 2017. A group of private Spanish SMEs constitutes our sample. Our work presents the results of the statistical analysis of these primary data, and contributes to a more nuanced perspective on language utility for organizational performance.


Al-Buhuts ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-126
Author(s):  
Abdul Latif

This study aims to determine the system for the results of Mudharabah on Business Multipurpose Cooperative (KSU) Amanah Desa Bunobogu with Qualitative Descriptive Analysis method. This study uses primary data sources and secondary data relating to the annual revenue sharing system Mudharabah (2010-2014). The results of this study indicate that the profit sharing system is implemented by the Multipurpose Business Cooperative (KSU) Amanah Desa Bunobogu in the form of Mudharabah financing. With a guarantee statement on the process akadnya. In the event of negligence made by members who resulted in his business losing the goods made in the guarantee will be seized by the cooperative. Businesses that are established by members are mostly small and medium enterprises so often encountered bookkeeping that is not clear and just make a budget booklet at random. However, it does not become alaasan and hamper the growth of cooperatives which each year has increased the remaining results of operations. Unclear budget bookkeeping can result in member earnings manipulation, by lowering the profits earned and the effect on the revenue share installments


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