Women Entrepreneurship: Growth and Hurdles

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1 Women Entrepreneurship: Growth and Hurdles IRAM FATMA Student of B.COM (H) TMIMT, TMU.Moradabad. PALAK ARORA Student of B.COM (H) TMIMT, TMU.Moradabad.ABSTRACT:- Entrepreneurial revolution started in the 1990s & has led the world economy towards substantial development. Women constitute around half of the total world population. Women constitute the family, which leads to society & Nation. Women are no longer confined to the hearth & home. The Entrepreneurial capacity of women has made a mark in many areas & women have entered the industrial segment, too. The areas & women are retail trade, restaurants, hotels, education, cultural, insurance & manufacturing. Purpose of this study is intended to find out the growth & problems of women entrepreneurs. KEY-WORDS: Entrepreneurship, Business, Women, Gender. INTRODUCTION:- Women entrepreneurs may be defined as a women or group of women who initial, organise & run a business enterprise. An entrepreneur is the owner of the enterprise. An entrepreneur should have qualities & qualification like originality in thinking, risk bearing ability, high achievement in thinking, risk bearing ability, high achievement motive, foresight etc. After the World War II in the US, women own 25% of all businesses. In Canada, one- fifth of small businesses are owned by women & in France it is one- fifth. In the U.K., since 1980, the numbers of self employed women has increased three times as fast as the number of self-employed men. You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women. - Jawaharlal Nehru SOME SUCCESSFUL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 1. Indra Nooyi :- Current Position: CFO, Pepsi co Indra Nooyi, 56,is the current Chairman & CFO of the second largest food & beverage business, Pepsi co. Beginning her career in India Nooyi held product manager positions at Johnson & Johnson & textile firm Mettur Beardshell. She joined Pepsi co in 1994 & was named president & CFO in She has been conferred with Prestigious Padma Bhusham for her business achievements.

2 2. Naina Lal Kidwai:- Current Position: Group GM & Country. Head: HSBC, India Naina Lal Kidwai, 55,is presently the Group General Manager and Country head of HSBC India. She started her career with ANZ Grindlays. Presently, she is also serving as a non-executive director on the board of Nestle SA. She is also global advisor at Harvard Business School. Indian Government conferred Padma Shri award on Naina for her contributions in the field of Trade and Industry. 3. Ekta Kapoor:- Current Position: Creative head of Balaji Telefilms. Ekta Kapoor is currently the creative head of Balaji Telefilms & counted as one of the top 10 women entrepreneurs of today. She is a women who single handedly founded & made Balaji Telefilms. She is known to be fiercely protective of her company & brand. 4. Ritu Kumar:- Current position: Fashion Designer. Ritu kumar is a native of Amritsar. Kumar has been designing the wardrobes com of the three winning Miss Indias, for their participation in International Beauty Pageants. Ritu s outfits have been patronized by style icons such as late princess Diana & Jemima khan. 5. Shahnaz Hussain:- Current Position: CEO, Shahnaz herbals. Shahnaz Hussain is one of themost prominent personalities of the most prominent personalities of the corporate world. Hussain began her beauty care business with a loan of Rs.35,000 from her father. The products launched by her company head their way to leading global stores. Her company Shahnaz Hussain Herbals has witnessed tremendous growth. She has received many awards such as The Arch of Europe gold star for quality, The 2000 Millenium Medal of Honour, Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award & many more

3 6. Chandra kochar:- Current Position: MD & CEO ICICI Bank. Chandra Kochar 51, is currently the MD & CEO of India s largest private bank ICICI Bank. She was born in Rajasthan. She received the wockhardt Gold Medal for excellence in Management Studies as well as the J.N.Bose Gold Medal in Cost Accountancy. 7. Sulajja Firodia Motwani:- Current Position: JMD Kinetic Motors. Motwani is the joint Managing Director of Kinetic Motors. She has single handedly designed & developed marketing strategies to spearhead the Company s growth forward. Sulajja worked in California-based Investment Company before coming to India to join her grandfathers business. She has been recognized as the Face of Millenium by India Group Today & as the Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. 8. Jyoti Nayak:- Current Position: President Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad. Jyoti is currently the President of Shri Mahila Griha Lijjat Papad, as Indian women s coorperative based in Mumbai. The Khadi & village Industries Commission of India has Conferred the Best Village Industry award on Lijjat Papad form the period to She was Conferred Business women excellence by the Economic Times. 9. Mallika Srinivasan:- Current Position: Director, TAFE (Tractor and farm Equipment) Mallika joined TAFE in 1986 & has since been responsible for accelerating turnover form 85 crores to 2900 crores within a span of two decades. Her innovative qualities have ideas & excellent leadership qualities have won her laurels form every phase of life. She was awarded Business women of the year 2006 award by ET.

4 10. Neelam Dhawan:- Current Position: MD,HP- India. Neelma Dhawan is presently the Managing Director of Hewlett Packard (HP), India. She is an iconic figure in Indian IT industry. She is the Inspiration for women working in IT sector. She entered the IT world in early Hindustan Lever. As the start of her career she yearned to be a part of major players in the FMCG space such as Asian paints & Before joining HP, India as MD, Neelam was MD of Microsoft, India. IBM & HCL. She had successful & rewarding stints with other leading successful & rewarding stints with other leading players like Objective:- The main purpose or objective of study of women entrepreneurship is as follows: To encourage women to believe in themselves. To make women s entrepreneurship more visible within society. To provide solutions to the various problems faced by the women entrepreneur. Why Women Become Entrepreneurs? Women entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all segments of the economy. They have made their mark in business for the following reasons- I. They want new challenges & opportunities for self- fulfilment. II. They want to prove their ability to cope well with difficulties. III. They want to prove in innovative & competitive jobs. IV. They want to get economic independence. V. They want to build confidence.

5 VI. They want to gain greater freedom & mobility. LITERATURE REVIEW:- In the Modern era of 21 st century, women are flourishing as designers, interior decorators, exporters, publishers, CEO S, Beautician, garment manufacturers, retail traders and still exploring new avenues of economic participation. In a survey sponsored done by Ms. Judy B.Rosener points out that women use interactive leadership. Women are more likely than men to say things that make people feel important & energised. According to Kum-Hina Shah, Women have selected products in electronics engineering items, plastic, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,machinery & equipment, energy, fuel & others. A good number of studies have been done on entrepreneurship in studies have been done on entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. Habibullah (1987) showed that training is an effective tool for entrepreneurship development in Bangladesh. Rotaru (2009) provided a case study on the Bangladesh women chamber of commerce & industry (BWCCI ) which was established in 2001, as the country s first trade body working exclusively for women s economic & social empowerment. Research methodology: For methodology an extensive literature review of secondary data from various sources has been held as related to the stated objective of the study as well as research study on internet survey basis. Problems faced by Women Entrepreneurship:- 1. Lack of confidence- A women is accepting a subordinate status, as a result they lack confidence of their own capabilities. Family members do not have much faith in women abilities of decision making. 2. Lack of working capital- The major hurdle that the women face during starting and running a company generally come from financing and balancing of life. Before marriage she has to depend on father and after marriage she has to follow the footsteps of her husband. They have limited access over external sources of funds. Even getting loans from either a bank or financial institution is more difficult. 3. Socio-cultural barriers- In our society, more importance is given to male child as compared to female child. India is a male dominated society. Women are not treated equal to men. This in turn, becomes as a barrier to women entry into business. 4. Stiff Competition-

6 Women entrepreneurs have to face a stiff competition with the men entrepreneurs who do not have organisational set - up to invest a lot of money for advertisement and development area and carry out easy marketing of their product with the both organised sector and their male entrepreneurs. Such a competition ultimately result in the liquidation of women enterprises. 5. Less Mobility- Unlike men, women mobility in India is highly limited due to various reasons. One of the biggest handicaps for women entrepreneurs is mobility of travelling from place to place. 6. Family Responsibility- In India, it is mainly a women s duty to look after the children and other members of the family. The success of a married woman depends upon supporting husband and family. Support and approval is necessary from taking prompt decision in business. 7. Lack of Education- In India literacy among women is very low. Around three-fifths (60%) of women are still illiterate. Lack of education causes low achievement motivation among women. Women face the many problems for setting up and running of business enterprises. 8. Access of Technology- Co-ordinating factors of production are really challenging to women entrepreneurs. Women who aspire do become entrepreneurs cannot keep pace with technology advancement. 9. Marketing Skills- Women entrepreneurs have the problem of access to markets as theirb marketing skills are weak compared to male entrepreneurs. 10. Other factors- It includes gender discrimination, inaccessibility to information, training opportunities, infrastructure etc. Suggestions for the growth of Women Entrepreneurs:- Right efforts from all areas are required in the development of women entrepreneurs and their greater participation in the entrepreneurial activities. The following measures are suggested to empower the women to grab various opportunities and face challenges in business:- 1. There should be a continuous attempt to inspire, encourage, motivate and cooperate women entrepreneurs. 2. Women should try to upgrade themselves according to changing times by adapting the latest technology benefits.

7 3. Women must be educated and trained constantly to acquire the skills and knowledge in all then functional areas of business management. 4. International, National, Local Conferences, trade fairs, industrial exhibitions, seminars should be organized to help women to facilitate interaction with other women entrepreneurs. 5. An awareness programme should be conducted to create awareness among women about the various areas to conduct business. 6. Vocational training should be provided to women community that will help them to understand the production process and production management. 7. Procedure of getting finance should be simple. 8. Encouragement to technical and professional education should be done. 9. Adequate infrastructure support may be helpful. 10. Mobile training centres should be opened. 11. The family members of women entrepreneurs should also actively participate and made all possible support in the matter of managing units set up by women entrepreneurs. 12. Gender sensitive development program must have fixed targets for women. 13. Local government should be encouraged to develop women entrepreneurs. 14. There must be some budgetary provisions so that women owned and operated companies get priority when it applies for water, gas, electricity etc. 15. In case of sudden natural disasters a fund should be created to facilitate women entrepreneurs. Supportive measures:- In India, though women have played a key role in the society, the entrepreneurial ability of women has not been properly developed and efficiently due to the lower status of women in society. 1. Entrepreneurship development programmes (EDPs)- The main objective EDPs are to identify people with entrepreneurial ability and motivate them through a structured training course so as to enable them to set up tiny and small units with the assistance available from various agencies. SIDO has introduced process oriented EDPs in areas like TV repairing, printed circuit broads, leather goods, screen printing etc.

8 2. Rural industries programme of SIDBI- This programme has been devised by small industries development bank of India (SIDBI) to promote rural enterprises through identifying potential entrepreneurs, motivating them and providing of package of assistance including technology and market linkages. 3. Prime minister s rozgar yojna (PMRY)- The scheme was launched in 2 nd October 1993 to crate and provide sustainable self employment opportunities to one million educated unemployed youth in the country during the 8 th plan period. This scheme is offered to any permanent resident (at list 3 year) unemployed youth between years, having minimum educational qualification (VIII passed) preference will be given to those who have passed ITI or undergone government sponsored technical course for a minimum duration of 6 th months. Their family income should less than Rs.40, Micro credit schemes- Micro credit programme was introduced in the 6 th plan ( ) for the enlistment of rural women through increased access to formal banking services. Loans under this scheme are very small and are targeted to women borrowers. This scheme helps women to organize their own business and production units. For women self help group special scheme are available with public sector banks to start SSI units extending concessional rate of interest and low margin and longer repayment period. 5. Mahila samakhya project (MSP)- The main goal of this project was the empowerment of women without causing any disturbance in their family and social lives. It not only focuses on women s problems but also deals with social and economic issue that concern the entire family. It helps in rural areas to realize their rights, understand the strength of collectiveness and gradually empower themselves for a better life socially, legally, physically and emotionally. 6. Women s component plan (WCP)- The geneses of WCP were officially launched in the 9 th plan where not less then 30 percent of funds is earmarked in all the women related sectors. The flow of funds was monitored through an effective mechanism of inter-sectoral review to ensure that educates funds flow to women from all the related sectors for the development and advancement of women. Conclusion:- The role of women entrepreneurs in economic development is inevitable. Now a- days women enter not only in selected professions like trade, industry and engineering. Women are willing to take up business and contribute to the Nation s growth. There role is also being recognised and steps are being taken to promote women entrepreneurship. An integrated approach is necessary for making the movement of women entrepreneurship a success. Highly educated, technically sound and professionally qualified women should be encouraged for managing their own business, rather than dependent on wage employment outlets.

9 References:- 1. Bowen, Donald D. And Hirisch Robert D (1986), The Female Entrepreneur: A career Development Perspective, Academy of Management Review, volume II no Business Today, The 25 most powerful women in Indian Business September 26, Desai, v. (1996) Dynamics of Entrepreneurial and Development and Management Himalaya publishing house - Fourth Edition, Reprint. 4. Habibullah, M. (1987) Entrepreneurship Training and Development Chittagong : Chittagong University, Faculty of Commerce, Bureau of Business Research. 5. Rummana R. The Budgetary aspiration of Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh prepared for Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BWCCI) for An Interactive Discussion with the Media in April 22, S.S.Khanka, women Entrepreneurship in India, Journal of Assam University, volume 3(1), January Desai V., Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Development and Management, Himalayan Publishing House, Mumbai, 1992.

Mrs. Gracy D'souza, Assistant Professor J. M. Patel College of Commerce WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Mrs. Gracy D'souza, Assistant Professor J. M. Patel College of Commerce WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 1 Mrs. Gracy D'souza, Assistant Professor J. M. Patel College of Commerce MEANING Women entrepreneurs may be