A Thematic Analysis of the Challenges and Work-Life Balance of Women Entrepreneurs Working in Small-Scale Industries

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to understand the various challenges and the work–life balance of women entrepreneurs working in small-scale industries (SSI), and to develop models for the same. The paper discusses the various viewpoints of women entrepreneurs of SSI given by them in personal interviews and explores in detail the difficulties and problems they face from generation to setting up of enterprise and making it run successfully. It also talks about the difficulties they face from society and the kind of anxiety and fear they have to overcome to reach this stage. This exploratory report is the result of a pilot study that has been conducted using thematic analysis to discover solutions for the same.

Qualitative research method is being used for the pilot study conducted using thematic analysis by gathering data from personal interviews.

The two most important challenges faced by women entrepreneurs managing small scale industries relate to socio-personal issues and managing relationships.

Identification of challenges and work–life balance issues faced by women entrepreneurs in SSI and development of models for the same, that can be used for further research by academicians & by various Government and academic institutions for training and development, contributing to the growth of women entrepreneurs in India.

The research is an honest attempt to realize the various challenges and work–life balance issues an Indian woman entrepreneur faces in SSI, so that models can be developed, leading to more woman participation and contributing to entrepreneurial growth.

Keywords

Women Entrepreneurs Challenges Thematic Analysis Work–Life Balance Small Scale Industries Personal Interviews Pilot Study

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Aggarwal

Vipin Kumar

, & Jain

Silky

. (2014). Role of women entrepreneurs in 21st century India: Challenges and empowerment, International Journal of Advanced Research, 2(9), 834–840.

Ayree

, Srinivas

E. S.

, & Tan

H. H.

(2005). Rhythms of life: Antecedents and outcomes of work-family balance in employed parents. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(1), 132–146.

Azmat

Fara

(2013). Opportunities or obstacles? Understanding the challenges faced by migrant women entrepreneurs. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 5(2), 198–215.

Chasserio

Stephanie

, Pailot

Philippe

, & Poroli

Corinne

(2014). When entrepreneurial identity meets multiple social identities. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, 20(2), 128–154.

Edralin

D. M.

(2013). Work and life harmony: An exploratory case study of entrepinays. DLSU Business and Économies Review, 111(2013), 15–36.

Government of India (GOI) (2006). Quoted by S. S. Kanka: Business and Economics and Poornima Charantimath: Entrepreneurship Development and Small Business Enterprises.

Halkias

Daphne

, Nwajiuba

Chinedum

, Harkiolakis

Nicholas

, & Caracatsanis

Sylva M.

(2011). Challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Management Research Review, 34(2), 221–235.

Helmle

Jill R.

, Botero

Isabel C.

, & Seibold

David R.

(2014). Factors that influence perceptions of work–life balance in owners of copreneurial firms. Journal of Family Business Management, 4(2), 110–132.

Huria

Nitin

. (2013). Changing image of women entrepreneurship: A review of 4p’s (Prospects, Problems, Perception, Performance). Global Journal For Research Analysis, 2(12), 167–171.

10.

Jadhawrao

Madhavi Sugaraj

& Salve

P. S.

(2014). A study of women entrepreneurship and their problems in the development in Western Maharashtra. IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance (IOSR-JEF), 79–83. e-ISSN: 2321-5933, p-ISSN: 2 321-5925.3(2), Ver. II.

11.

Jenkins

M. P.

(2000). Work and Family in the 1990s. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(4), 981–989.

12.

Khanka

S. S.

(2006). Entrepreneurial Development (p. 52). Uttarakhand: S. Chand & Company Ltd.

13.

Kumari

Sujata

, Kaushik

Vandana

, & Lodha

Neeta

. (2010). Problems faced by rural women entrepreneurs of Rajasthan. Studies on Home and Community Science, 4(2), 115–119.

14.

Mahi

Uddin, Md.

, & Chowdhury

Mustafa Manir

. (2015). An investigation into the issues of work–life balance of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Global Journal of Management and Business Research: An Administration and Management, 17(4), 7–17.

15.

Marlow

Susan

, & McAdam

Maura

. (2013). Gender and entrepreneurship. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, 19(1), 114–124.

16.

Mathew

Rincy V.

, & Panchanatham

(2011). An exploratory study on the work–life balance of women entrepreneurs in South India. Asian Academy of Management Journal, 16(2), 77–105.

17.

MSME (2015). Women enterprises and SSI units managed by women, 11.2. Annual report. Development Commissioner (MSME), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium enterprises. Retrieved from http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/ssiindia/census/ch11.htm

18.

Nayyar

Pooja

, Sharma

Avinash

, Kishtwaria

Jatinder

, Rana

Aruna

, & Vyas

Neena

. (2007). Causes and constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in entrepreneurial process. Journal of Social Sciences, 14(2), 99–102.

19.

Parimala Devi

(2015, May). Facilitating factors for women entrepreneurship in India. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 4(5), 153–156.

20.

Rehman

Samaria

, & Roomi

Muhammad Azam

. (2012). Gender and work–life balance: A phenomenological study of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(2), 209–222.

21.

Satpal

Rupa Rathee

, & Rajain

Pallavi

. (2014). Women entrepreneurship: Challenges in the present technological era. International Journal of Advance Industrial Engineering, 2(2).

22.

Singh

S. P.

(2008, December 12–14). An Insight Into The Emergence of Women-owned Businesses as an Economic Force in India. Paper presented at the Special Conference of the Strategic Management Society. Hyderabad: Indian School of Business.

23.

Tambunan

Tulus

. (2008). SME development, economic growth, and government intervention in a developing country: The Indonesian story. Journal of International Entrepreneurship, 6(4), 147–167.

24.

Valli Devasena

(2014). Women entrepreneur problems—Anova test between family constraints and factors for success, Global Journal of Commerce & Management Perspective, 3(1), 66–70.

25.

Viswanatha Reddy

(2012). Problems and prospects of women entrepreneurship in India—An investigative study in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. International Journal of Research in Commerce and Management, 3(3), 62–70.

26.

Walker

Elizabeth

, Wang

Calvin

, & Redmond

Janice

. (2008). Women and work–life balance: Is home-based business ownership the solution? Equal Opportunities International, 27(3), 258–275.