Challenges to Female Entrepreneurs | Research

Challenges to Female Entrepreneurs Research light-emitting diodeger entryBackground of the StudyEntrepreneurship as a research knit attracts the busy of m some(prenominal) researchers because it is a tool of study for many economies in the humanity (Creamer, 2006), Likewise scenerys on feminism forthwith argon vast as they argon varied and contentious, (Ikoku, 2002), which explains the increasing attention of Female Entrepreneurship in the sassy days (Jamali,2009). Not only does womanly entrepreneurship contri hardlye to scotch growth and physical exercise creation, but it is increasingly recognized to also enhance the miscellanea of entrepreneurship in any sparing system (Verheul et al., 2006) and to provide paths for womanish convention and strength fulfillment (Jamali,2009 Eddleston and Powell, 2008).The investigation of the factors that leads tripicular people to become entrepreneurs so unitaryr of others has been a question of many researches. So, many researchers wee tried to go through the reasons leading those people to entrepreneurship. Toward that direction, theories and models (Leahey, 2006) were developed, and focused on the intentions that make people play entrepreneurship action, because the intentions are the best predictor factor for the future behavior of a person, such(prenominal) as the foundation of an enterprise (Krueger, 2005). So it is supported, that by formulating implicit in(p) theories for the entrepreneurial intentions, we can explain a basic peace of the field of entrepreneurship as it affects genders.Institutional theory has been watch overed as a fruitful conjectural lens in the context of womanish entrepreneurship research (Baugh et al., 2006). Drawing on institutional theory, Scott (1995) enumerates salient regulative, normative and cognitive pillars of institutions, which promote st force and predict big businessman in social behavior, through compliance with codified laws.Of course thither a re some factors that contribute to the prediction of the entrepreneurial intentions such as the place and the degree of desirability toward that behavior and the level of the feasibility (Krueger, 2005). Davidson (2005) mentioned other factors shaping the intentions of entrepreneurship such as propensity to action, personal convictions and other demographic variables such as gender, age, educational level and economic environment.1.2 Women in BusinessThe twentieth century has been a period of rapid change for many women, but emotional state for women in some parts of the world still ashes harsh. However, women are getting a vital character in the global market as entrepreneurs, they play a large and growing role in the US, Canada and UK. Hisrick Ozturk,(1999) attributed their success to gateway to greater support from women mentors and role models and easier admission to formal training in the principles of duty planning and organization. Whereas, women in developing countr ies face obstacles such as lack of access to education and training, access to finance as well as discrimi dry land and lack of honor or not being taken seriously (Woldie adersua,2004Ezeaku Ozigbo, 2009). Globally, it is estimated that women account for 25-33 part of all businesses (National Foundation of Women Business Owners, 1998).Whilst in the UK and the USA, they account for 26 and 33 partage of business start-ups respectively, surprisingly, in the Sub- Saharan Africa it is 80 percent (Kitching and Woldie, 2004).Despite the exalted contribution in Africa, their needs seem to be overlooked and closely hidden within the informal sphere compared to their male counterparts (Mordi et al.,2009).The subject of womens charge development has become increasingly important as the percentage of the Nigerian labour force that is female has increased from 11.2% two decades ago to 40.4% today (Federal office of statistics) and the proportion is expected to increase further (Nakhaie, 2007). Although there arouse been some women in managerial positions during the last decade, the number has been painfully some in the light of the fact that over forty percent of the f and so on force are women.Nigerian EconomyNigeria is the most populous demesne in Africa, and accounts for half of West Africas population, and over 25 percent of Sub- Sahara Africa (SSA) (Nkamnebe, 2008). It is populate with over 150 one jillion million million inhabitants, of which, over half of the population 15-64 years is young and active (C. I. A, 2010), still the country is characterized with pauperization and is on the increase. For instance, poverty increased from 35 million people in 1985, to 39 million people in 1992 67 people in 1996 and 74 million people in 1999. In addition, Human instruction Programme indicates that 70.8 percent and 92.4 percent of Nigerian population live below US$1 (N117) and US$2 (N234) daily respectively (UNDP,2007). This claim supports the ranking of Nige ria among less(prenominal) developed nations of the world (UNDP, 2007).The Nigerian labour market has been characterized by lofty rate of un workout, low wage and poor working conditions. This unwholesome seat evolved after the oil boom of the 1970s and remained so till fight (Nnanna, Alade and Odoko, 2003). Prior to the oil boom, the Nigerian economy was largely agrarian and slightly 70% of the working population was engaged in agricultural activities in the rural areas. Wage rates were also comparable to inter subject area standards and the median(a) Nigerian worker could afford decent living.In the 1960s, the emphasis of employment policies was that of shifting labour from the agricultural sector to the manufacturing sector. This appeared to be the natural travel headbook of economic growth and development, following the experienced of the developed countries (Ajakaiye, 2001). However, the Nigerian peculiarities of res publica tenure system, tenancy and the very rudiment ary appendagees of farming make it exceedingly difficult to deploy substantially advance technology in the sector. Moreover, at that time economic policies concentrated more on the development of the manufacturing sector, chthonic the much touted import-substitution strategy. Rather, labour moved from the agricultural sector to the services sector, with secondary productivity gains. Both agriculture and manufacturing lost out.The issue of sustainable development in the Third World like Nigeria has been a growing precaution to both the government and the private sector. The government had invested so much capital on this platform over the years but has not yielded any meaningful result. It has been realized in the recent years that there are limits to which the government alone can promote development e excessly with Nigerian peculiar developmental challenges due to maladministration, corruption, unstable macroeconomic regime and temporary fiscal policies by successive adminis trations (Fasua, 2006). Thus, both the public and the private sectors of the economy need to be involved in the industrial development process of the country. It is on this basis that government begins to engage in privatization policy with the view of allowing the private sector to participate in the economic development of the nation (Olu, 2009).The weak economy itself choked out several business enterprises and curtailed employment opportunities. Staff retrenchment became pervasive, starting first in the private sector and later the public sector. The unemployment was more problematic in the urban areas, as shown in the following chart (CBN, 2003).Nwoye (2007) further suggested that the best way to piddle the economic system is by mobilizing energy, expertise and resource in lowly and Medium Enterprises which will increase productivity, and ultimately improve the social life and economic welfare. The author was also concerned about the attainment of economic growth when half th e population being female gender is marginalized in policy planning and economic resource management matters. Moreover, with women comprising of 52 percent of Africas estimated 805 million population, womens empowerment is of the essence for Africa sustainable growth. This claim is applicable to Nigeria which is the most populous country in Africa.1.3 Research GapResearch on female business owners is extensive in the industrialised economies, especially the coupled States and Canada (Lerner, Brush and Hisrich, 1997), which has helped the development and needs of the female entrepreneurs. Most of the research reflects the characteristics, experiences and challenges of female entrepreneurs in the western world (Kitching and Woldie, 2004 Carter, 2000), However, a limited number of studies view been undertaken to investigate these issues in the developing countries (Mordi et al., 2010).Despite the extent of female entrepreneurs in involvement in new business formation, the economic im pact of women led businesses has been down-played (Carter et al.,2002)Female entrepreneurship is an under-researched area with tremendous economic potential and one that requires special attention (Henry, 2002)Thus, there has been a growing call by scholars for studies in non- Western context to deepen our knowledge of the socially constructed nature of female entrepreneurs. In response to this research gap, the author chooses Nigeria as the reach of analysis.Aims and accusative of the ResearchThe aim of the study is to take a deeper look at the problems faced by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria focusing on gender effects and other factors in the environment.The following objectives are formulated to guide the investigationTo identify factors in the business environment that affects the development and natural selection of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.To ascertain if the issue of female gender marginalisation in Nigeria affects entrepreneurial ability of women.To de marchesine whether family roles have any effect on female entrepreneur performance in Nigeria.To determine if there is any relationship betwixt gender and entrepreneurial acquisition in Nigeria.To ascertain whether culture and beliefs affect the performance of female entrepreneurs in NigeriaThe dissertation deals with the problem of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria. The unit of analysis is the gender. The focus is on individual and organizational shortcomings of nascent and young entrepreneurs and their ventures and employs a theoretical mannikin that allows for addressing these managerial problems by adopting an evolutionary perspective.Research QuestionsThe following research questions are formulated to guide the investigationAre there factors in the business environment that affects the development and survival of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria?Does the issue of female gender marginalization in Nigeria affects entrepreneurial ability of women?Do family roles have effect on female entrep reneur performance in Nigeria?Is there any relationship among gender inequality and entrepreneurial skill in Nigeria?Do culture and beliefs affect the performance of female entrepreneurs in Nigeria?Research HypothesesFor the purpose of this study, it is important to test the following hypothesesHypothesis IHo The issue of female gender marginalization in Nigeria has no effects on entrepreneurial ability of women.Hi The issue of female gender marginalization in Nigeria has effects on entrepreneurial ability of women.Hypothesis IIHo There is no relationship between the family roles and female entrepreneurs performance in Nigeria.Hi There is relationship between the family roles and female entrepreneurs performance in Nigeria.Hypothesis IIIHo sex inequality is not significant to female entrepreneurial ability in NigeriaHi Gender inequality is significant to female entrepreneurial ability in NigeriaSignificance of the StudyThis is significant to many people in many areas. In this ligh t, the study is relevant because it seeks to provide entrepreneurial rule of thumb and gender development procedure that would lead to effective attainment of national objectives in terms of economic growth and reduction of unemployment in Nigeria.To the female gender the study would serve as eye opener in terms of discovering their entrepreneurial potentials despite the influence of culture and beliefs. The conclusions can be used both in the evaluation of the current system concerning entrepreneurship as well as in the formation of new strategies in the entrepreneurship in tertiary education.It would provide students in higher-institutions with sound knowledge and give them avenue to the understanding the need for venturing into entrepreneurial activities, how, why and when entrepreneurial skills acquired tertiary institutions should be implemented.Finally, the study would serve as a veritable source of knowledge for individuals, youths irrespective of gender and the government, on how to harvest the rich benefit of entrepreneurship in the national building and economic development.1.7 Scope of the StudyIn view of the fact that the study of problems faced by female entrepreneurs involves all and motley and cannot be exhausted in this research. It therefore becomes necessary to define the scope of the study. The scope of this study is female entrepreneurs and graduates on National Youth corps Service (NYSC) in Lagos area of Nigeria, 2010. Therefore, this research is an empirical examination of entrepreneurship problems in Nigeria and entrepreneurial skills among graduates on NYSC analysis by gender it will go beyond theoretical approach to evaluate entrepreneurs problems and gender effect on entrepreneurship to generate further insight.1.8 Structure of the DissertationThis study is divided into phoebe bird parts. Chapter one is the introductory which highlights the statement of the identified problems, objectives, research questions and significance of th e study, etc.Chapter two contains a detailed review of literature on name concepts of entrepreneurship, gender influence on entrepreneur performance and problems faced by female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.Chapter three discusses the research design, entropy collection methods, model size determination, questionnaire design and administration, etc.In chapter four, the presentation and analysis of data and the testing of hypotheses are carried out. The results and interpretation are presented.Chapter five is the concluding part of the study, where reasons are given for the results obtained from the research. Conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions are made for improvement based on the research findings.1.9 Definition of TermsEntrepreneur Is the innovating individual, who initiates and nurtures to growth a new and an on going business organisation, where none existed before.Entrepreneurial Skill The potential and ability of an individual to initiate and nurtures a new business t o growth, expertly.Development Is defined as gradual advancement through progressive stages of growth from withinCapital Venture Is a form of long term investment for start-up companies and growing businesses that have the potential to develop into significant economic contributors.Gender Nature of human being that depict sex which is made of male and female.Graduates Young Schools leavers especially those from higher institution of learner (i.e. universities, polytechnic and colleges, etc)National Youth Corps Service A compulsory one year work experience program for graduates in Nigeria