A STUDY ON PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH SPECIAL REFERANCE

TO COIMBATORE CITY
Submitted by

RAJ DHARISHNI.G.N

17BBA046

Under the guidance of

Mr. SINGATHURAI.S MBA., M.Phil.,

Assistant Professor
Submitted in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

2019 - 2020

GRD INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Dr. G .R. DAMODARAN COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Autonomous and affiliated to the Bharathiar University
Re-Accredited with ‗A‘ Grade level by the NAAC
An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Institution, Graded ‗A‘ by CRISIL
Civil Aerodrome Post, Avinashi Road
Coimbatore – 641014
MARCH 2020
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project entitled “A STUDY ON PROBLEMS

AND CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH
SPECIAL REFERANCE TO COIMBATORE CITY” is a bonafide record
of original work done by RAJ DHARISHNI.G.N 17BBA046 submitted to
GRD Institute of Management ,affiliated to Bharathiar University, in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of BACHELOR OF
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION , and that the project report has not formed
the basis for the award of any degree, fellowship or any other similar titles of
any other institutions.

_______________ ________________

FACULTY GUIDE HOD / DIRECTOR

Submitted for Viva-Voce Examination held on

_____________________________________

_________________
___________________

Internal Examiner External Examiner

__________________

College seal
 DECLARATION

I, RAJ DHARISHNI.G.N hereby declare that the project report entitled as “A

STUDY ON PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURS WITH SPECIAL REFERANCE TO COIMBATORE
CITY” submitted to GRD Institute of Management, Coimbatore is a record of
original work done by me under the guidance of Mr.SINGATHURAI.S MBA.,
M.Phil., Assistant Professor and this project work is submitted in the partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of BACHELOR OF
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION and the project has not formed the basis for
the award of any degree, fellowship or any other similar titles of any other
institutions.

Place: Coimbatore

Date:

Signature of the candidate

RAJ DHARISHNI.G.N

17BBA046
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I hereby acknowledge my sincere gratitude to the management and

sincere thanks to Dr.T.Santha MSc., PGDCA., MPhil., MPhil(CS)., PhD.,
Principal Dr.G.R.Damodaran College of Science, Coimbatore, for giving me an
opportunity to do this project during my course of study.

I express my sincere gratitude to Dr.K.K.Ramachandran MBA, MFT,

MPhil, PGDFT, PhD., Director, GRD Institute of Management, for his
encouragement during the project.

I record my indebtedness to Dr.S.Brindha, MBA, MPhil., PhD., Head

of the Department, GRD Institute of Management, for her valuable
suggestions.

I take immense pleasure in expressing my sincere thanks to my guide

Mr.Singathurai.S MBA., M.Phil., Assistant Professor, GRD Institute of
Management, for his continuous support and guidance.

And last but not the least; I thank my Family Members and Friends for
boosting me and being with me throughout this project and helping me to
successfully complete the project.
 CONTENTS

CHAPTER PARTICULARS PAGE

NUMBER NO.
LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF CHARTS

I INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY 1

1.2 PULL-PUSH FACTORS 2

1.3 PROBLEMS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 3

1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 5

1.5 NEED FOR THE STUDY 6

1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 7

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 7

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 8

II REVIEW OF LITERARTURE 9

III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14

IV ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 17

V FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

5.1 FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 60

5.2 SUGGESTIONS 65

5.3 CONCLUSION 67

BIBILIOGRAPHY 70

APPENDIX 72
 LIST OF TABLES

S.NO. TITLE PAGE

NO.

1 AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS 18

2 MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS 20

3 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS 22

4 YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION 24

5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF THE RESPONDENTS 26

6 TYPE OF FAMILY OF THE RESPONDENTS 28

7 RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS 30

8 COMMUNITY OF THE RESPONDENTS 32

9 NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS IN THE FAMILY OF THE 34

RESPONDENTS
9.A NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS ABOVE 58 YEARS OF AGE 36

9.B NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE 38

10 MONTHLY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS 40

11 FAMILY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS 42

12.A MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF THE RESPONDENTS (PUSH 44

FACTORS)
12.B MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF THE RESPONDENTS (PULL 46
FACTORS)
13 FINANCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR 48

14 MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR 50

15 PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR 56

S.NO. TITLE PAGE
NO.
16 HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR 58

17 WORK PLACE FACILITY PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN

ENTREPRENEUR
 LIST OF CHARTS

S.NO. TITLE PAGE

NO.

1 AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS 19

2 MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS 21

3 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS 23

4 YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION 25

5 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF THE RESPONDENTS 27

6 TYPE OF FAMILY OF THE RESPONDENTS 29

7 RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS 31

8 CASTE OF THE RESPONDENTS 33

9 NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS IN THE FAMILY OF THE 35

RESPONDENTS
9.A NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS ABOVE 58 YEARS OF AGE 37

9.B NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE 39

10 MONTHLY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS 41

11 FAMILY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS 43

12.A MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF THE RESPONDENTS (PUSH 45

FACTORS)
12.B MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS OF THE RESPONDENTS (PULL 47
FACTORS)
13 FINANCIAL PROBLEMS FACTORS FACED BY WOMEN 49
ENTREPRENEURS
14 MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 52

15 PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 55

S.No. TITLE PAGE
NO.
16 HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 57

17 WORK PLACE FACILITY PROBLEMS FACTORS FACED BY 59

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
 CHAPTER - I

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY :

Women Entrepreneurship is both about women pose in society and the role of women
entrepreneurship in the same society. Women are faced with specific obstacles (such as
family responsibilities) that have to be overcome in order to give them access to the same
opportunities as men. Also, in some countries, women may experience obstacles with respect
to holding property and entering contracts. Increased participation of women in the labour
force is a prerequisite for improving the position of women in society and self-employed
women.

Women Entrepreneurs may be defined as the women or a group of women who

initiate, organize and operate a business enterprise. Government of India has defined women
entrepreneurs as an enterprise owned and controlled by a women having a minimum financial
interest of 51 percent of the capital and giving at least 51 percent of employment generated in
the enterprise to women. Like a male entrepreneurs a women entrepreneur has many
functions. They should explore the prospects of starting new enterprise; undertake risks,
introduction of new innovations, coordination administration and control of business and
providing effective leadership in all aspects of business.

DEFINITION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP :

The word entrepreneur originates from the French word ―entrepreneur‖ which means
―to undertake‖. In a business context, it means to start a business. The Merriam Webster
dictionary presents the definition of an entrepreneur as an organizes, manages and assumes
the risk of a business or enterprise.

According to Peter Drucker, an ―Entrepreneur is one who always searches for change,
responds to it and exploits it as an opportunity‖. Entrepreneurs innovate and innovation is a
specific instrument of entrepreneurship. It creates resources because there is no such thing as
a ‗resource‘ until the human finds a use for something and endows it with economic value.
THE ROLE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS :

Women Entrepreneur has been recognized during the last decade as an important
untapped source of economic growth. Women Entrepreneurs create new jobs for themselves
and others and by being different also provide society with different solutions to
management, organization and business problems as well as to the exploitation of Women
Entrepreneurial opportunities. However, they still represent a minority of all Women
Entrepreneurs. Thus there exists a market failure discriminating against Women possibility to
become Women Entrepreneurs and their possibility to become successful Women
Entrepreneurs. This market failure needs to be addressed by policy makers so that the
economic potential of this group can be fully utilized. While without a doubt the economic
impact of women is substantial, we still lack a reliable picture describing in detail that
specific impact.

Women Entrepreneurship has been largely neglected both in society in general and in
the social sciences. Not only have women lower participation rates in Women
Entrepreneurship than men but they also generally choose to start and manage firms in
different industries than men tend to do. The industries (primarily retail, education and other
service industries) chosen by women are often perceived as being less important to economic
development and growth than high-technology and manufacturing.

1.2 PUSH-PULL FACTORS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS :

Women in business are a recent phenomenon in India. By and large they had confide
themselves to petty business and tiny cottage industries. Women entrepreneurs engaged in
business due to push and pull factors. Which encourage women to have an independent
occupation and stands on their on legs. A sense towards independent decision-making on
their life and career is the motivational factor behind this urge. Saddled with household
chores and domestic responsibilities women want to get independence. Under the influence
of these factors the women entrepreneurs choose a profession as a challenge and as an urge to
do something new. Such situation is described as pull factors. While in push factors women
engaged in business activities due to family compulsion and the responsibility is thrust upon
them.
1.3 PROBLEMS FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS :

Women in India are faced many problems to get ahead their life in business. They are :

1. The greatest deterrent to women entrepreneurs is that they are women. A kind of
patriarchal – male dominant social order is the building block to them in their way towards
business success. Male members think it a big risk financing the ventures run by women.

2. The financial institutions are skeptical about the entrepreneurial abilities of women. The
bankers consider women loonies as higher risk than men loonies. The bankers put unrealistic
and unreasonable securities to get loan to women entrepreneurs. According to a report by the
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), "despite evidence that
women's loan repayment rates are higher than men's, women still face more difficulties in
obtaining credit," often due to discriminatory attitudes of banks and informal lending groups.

3. Entrepreneurs usually require financial assistance of some kind to launch their ventures -
be it a formal bank loan or money from a savings account. Women in developing nations
have little access to funds, due to the fact that they are concentrated in poor rural
communities with few opportunities to borrow money (Starcher, 1996; UNIDO, 1995a). The
women entrepreneurs are suffering from inadequate financial resources and working
capital. The women entrepreneurs lack access to external funds due to their inability to
provide tangible security. Very few women have the tangible property in hand.

4. Women's family obligations also bar them from becoming successful entrepreneurs in both
developed and developing nations. "Having primary responsibility for children, home and
older dependent family members, few women can devote all their time and energies to their
business" (Starcher, 1996, P.8). The financial institutions discourage women entrepreneurs on
the belief that they can at any time leave their business and become housewives again. The
result is that they are forced to rely on their own savings, and loan from relatives and family
friends.

5. Indian women give more emphasis to family ties and relationships. Married women have
to make a fine balance between business and home. More over the business success is
depends on the support the family members extended to women in the business process and
management.

6. Another argument is that women entrepreneurs have low-level management skills. They
have to depend on office staffs and intermediaries, to get things done, especially, the
marketing and sales side of business. Here there is more probability for business fallacies like
the intermediaries take major part of the surplus or profit. Marketing means mobility and
confidence in dealing with the external world, both of which women have been discouraged
from developing by social conditioning. Even when they are otherwise in control of an
enterprise, they often depend on males of the family in this area.

7. The male - female competition is another factor, which develop hurdles to women
entrepreneurs in the business management process. Despite the fact that women entrepreneurs
are good in keeping their service prompt and delivery in time, due to lack of organisational
skills compared to male entrepreneurs women have to face constraints from competition. The
confidence to travel across day and night and even different regions and states are less found
in women compared to male entrepreneurs. This shows the low level freedom of expression.

8. Knowledge of alternative source of raw materials availability and high negotiation skills
are the basic requirement to run a business. Getting the raw materials from different souse
with discount prices is the factor that determines the profit margin. Lack of knowledge of
availability of the raw materials and low-level negotiation and bargaining skills are the
factors, which affect women entrepreneur's business adventures.

9. Knowledge of latest technological changes, know how, and education level of the person
are significant factor that affect business. The literacy rate of women in India is found at low
level compared to male population. Many women in developing nations lack the education
needed to spur successful entrepreneurship. They are ignorant of new technologies or
unskilled in their use, and often unable to do research and gain the necessary training
(UNIDO, 1995b, p.1). Although great advances are being made in technology, many
women's illiteracy, structural difficulties, and lack of access to technical training prevent the
technology from being beneficial or even available to females ("Women Entrepreneurs in
Poorest Countries," 2001). According to The Economist, this lack of knowledge and the
continuing treatment of women as second-class citizens keep them in a pervasive cycle of
poverty ("The Female Poverty Trap," 2001). The studies indicate that uneducated women
don‘t have the knowledge of measurement and basic accounting.

10. Low-level risk taking attitude is another factor affecting women folk decision to get into
business. Low-level education provides low-level self-confidence and self-reliance to the
women folk to engage in business, which is continuous risk taking and strategic cession
making profession. Investing money, maintaining the operations and getting back money for
surplus generation requires high risk taking attitude, courage and confidence.

11. Achievement motivation of the women folk found less compared to male members. The
low level of education and confidence leads to low level achievement and advancement
motivation among women folk to engage in business operations and running a business
concern.

12. Finally high production cost of some business operations adversely affects the
development of women entrepreneurs. The installation of new machineries during expansion
of the productive capacity and like similar factors dissuades the women entrepreneurs from
venturing into new areas.

1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS :

Right efforts on from all areas are required in the development of women
entrepreneurs and their greater participation in the entrepreneurial activities. Following
efforts can be taken into account for effective development of women entrepreneurs.

1.Consider women as specific target group for all developmental programs.

2.Better educational facilities and schemes should be extended to women folk from
government.
3.Adequate training programmer on management skills to be provided to women community.
4.Skill development to be done in women's polytechnics and industrial training institutes.
5.Training on professional competence & leadership skill to be extended to women
entrepreneurs.
6.Training and counseling on a large scale of existing women entrepreneurs to remove
psychological causes like lack of self-confidence and fear of success.
7.Counseling through the aid of committed NGOs, psychologists, managerial experts and
technical personnel should be provided to existing and emerging women entrepreneurs.
8.Continuous monitoring and improvement of training programmes.
9.Activities in which women are trained should focus on their marketability and profitability.
10.Making provision of marketing and sales assistance from government part.
11. To encourage more passive women entrepreneurs the Women training programme should
be organised that taught to recognize her own psychological needs and express them.
12.State finance corporations and financing institutions should permit by statute to extend
finance.
13.Women's development corporations have to gain access to open-ended financing.
14.Involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations in women entrepreneurial training
programs and counseling.

1.5 NEED FOR THE STUDY :

Entrepreneurship amongst women is a relatively recent Phenomenon, which is

gradually changing with the growing sensitivity of the roles, responsibilities and Economic
status of women in the society in general and family in particular. For women entrepreneurs,
starting and operating a business involves considerable risks and difficulties, because in the
Indian social Environment women has always lived as subordinate to men the government of
India, increase in the education levels of women and increased social awareness in respect of
the role women plays in the society.

It is also a fact that more and more women are getting into the domain of
entrepreneurial activities. The efforts of Government of India through various welfare
organizations, non-governmental agencies, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and hosts of
other agencies have started looking after and helping the efforts of women entrepreneurs.
Industries being labour intensive have high potential in employment generation. Thus they
serve as an antidote to the widespread problems of disguised unemployment or
underemployment stalking the urban and rural territory. It helps for the growth of cities,
reduces growth of slums, social tensions and atmospheric population.

This study discusses about the problems faced by the women entrepreneurs and the
opportunities that is in favor of them to run the business successfully and play a major role in
the society.

1.6 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY :

1. To study the challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs in running

their business.

2. To ascertain the financial, marketing and production constraints faced by women

entrepreneurs in their business.

3. To assess the health status and work place facilities of women entrepreneurs.

4. To ascertain the work-family conflicts faced by women entrepreneurs.

5. To suggest different remedial measures to help and accelerate women entrepreneurs to run
their business successful.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY :

1. The present study is confined to problems faced by women entrepreneurs in Coimbatore

district and data was analysed based on information gathered from the women
entrepreneurs.
2. The data was collected from 100 women entrepreneurs in Coimbatore.
1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY :

1. It was difficult to meet all the women entrepreneurs in the city due to the time constraint
and because of the busy schedule of the entrepreneurs.
2. Some of the information given by the respondents may be biased.
3. Analysis is done only on the assumption that the respondents has given true information
through the questionnaire.
 CHAPTER-II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

R.Ganesan And Et Al (2002) holds strong particularly when such a strategy is being
tried on women. In the present context many of the theories dealing with entrepreneurship
has seen a divergence from practice. It is seen that many entrepreneurs are motivated on their
own to start their own enterprises. Many of these entrepreneurs actually do not receive any
structured entrepreneurial input. They learn the same through trial and error. Keeping these
views on entrepreneurship, this article deals with the problems, which these self-motivated
women entrepreneurs con front, and then highlights the prospects and the future challenges.
The article establishes the role entrepreneurial training can play in making the ventures
initiated by these self-motivated women self-sustaining. The article identifies the concern
areas of these women who are in business and also proposes what kind of entrepreneurial
training would be ideal. The authors feel that when more women initiate businesses without
such formal training, one should prob ably then start investing resources into making them
stand on their own. The article has also identified certain special factors and problems women
in business generally confront and the gendered root of such problems. The suggestion is that
these problems could be taken care of through investing in building network and alliances.

Yang (2004) explained that there are three stages of economic development of
women. Stage 1: As family workers without wages, Stage 2: As the wife of the boss, Stage 3:
As independent business owners. The availability of Internet at home in Asia has increased
very recently due to reduction in prices. Earlier it was not affordable for many household to
have internet connection. In rural areas it is not available at all and in urban areas, where it is
available, it is still treated as luxury. 1 means that for the first stage of economic
Development of women, it was not available. For the second stage, certainly it is available
but not many women are working in some of the Asian countries. At the third level, it is
picking up as many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are adopting ICT for better
decision making and reaching globally.
(Yang, J. (2004). Free and Young- Programs for women Entrepreneurship: Women
entrepreneurship and ICT World Knowledge Forum, 2004, Seoul Korea.)

Dr.G.Jayammal (2005) conducted the research study to analyses the problems of

women entrepreneurs with special reference to some selected units in Coimbatore District of
the State of Tamil Nadu .The main objective of the study has been to understand the
socioeconomic Back-ground of women entrepreneurs, and their problems in running their
enterprises efficiently and profitably. All most all the women entrepreneurs irrespective of
their education, age, married and the unmarried, caste, religion, type of organizations,
ownership type, experience, amount Of capital investment, fixed assets have ranked the
problem of finance as first in order Followed by the problem relating to sales, competition
from other sellers, purchase of raw Materials, technical problems and labor related problems.

Pooja Nayyar and Et al (2007) conducted a study on hundred women entrepreneurs

selected through random and snowball sampling technique from four zones of Himachal
Pradesh. Nursing homes, boutiques, handloom units, beauty parlours carpet making units and
general stores are the enterprises selected for study. The objectives of the Endeavour are to
ascertain the financial, marketing and production constraints faced by women in their
enterprises; assessment of their health status, work place facilities and to develop guidelines
for becoming a successful entrepreneur. Poor location of unit, tough competition from larger
and established units, and lack of transport facility, lack of rest and sleep and non-availability
of raw material are the significant problems faced by entrepreneurs. The factors causable to
these problems are; difficulty in affording own vehicle, not being popular, heavy schedule of
work and long working hours. Common entrepreneurial problems can be dealt by formulating
self help mutually aided groups. Support mechanism such as institutional credit need to be
strengthened to keep entrepreneurs aware about loaning schemes/credit facilities for further
expansion.

Dr.N.Vasugi (2007) conducted a study which deals with garments marketing and
management. Fashion and garment industries are looked at as an industry of future. It also
dealt with the development of women entrepreneurs and their association on different
garment manufacturing activities and emerging possible opportunities in the cosmetic and
global markets.

Tulus Tambunan (2009) has been made the study with aims to examine recent
developments of women entrepreneurship in Asian developing countries. This issue is
currently very important since it is part of ongoing national efforts to alleviate poverty in
developing countries in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Greater
opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs (or to have better income paid jobs) will
help much in poverty reduction. .Methodologically, this study is based on data analysis and a
review of recent key literature. This paper focuses only on women entrepreneurs in small and
medium enterprises. The findings of this study show three main important facts. First, SMEs
are of overwhelming importance in the region, as they account, on average per country, for
more than 95 percent of all firms in all sectors. Second, the representation of women
entrepreneurs is still relatively low which can be attributed to factors such as low level of
education, lack of capital, and cultural or religious constraints. Third, most of women
entrepreneurs in SMEs are from the category of ―forced‖ entrepreneurs seeking for better
family incomes. This suggests that when women are better educated and have better paid
employment opportunities increase for women, the participation of women as entrepreneurs
in SMEs may decline.

Asghar Afshar Jahanshahi and Et al (2010) Today‘s world is changing at a

startling pace. Political and economic transformations seem to be occurring everywhere—as
countries convert from command to demand economies, dictatorships move toward
democracy, and monarchies build new civil institutions. These changes have created
economic opportunities for women who want to own and operate businesses. Today, women
in advanced market economies own more than 25% of all businesses and women-owned
businesses in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America are growing rapidly. This
paper focuses on woman entrepreneur. Any understanding of woman in global scene and
especially in India, also the paper talks about the status of woman entrepreneurs and the
problems faced by them when they set up and managed their own businesses in the
competitive world of business environment.
 Sujata Kumari and Et al (2010) The study was undertaken with an objective to
study the problems of rural women entrepreneurs. It was conducted in the rural areas of
Rajasthan with 60 rural women of whom half are engaged in entrepreneurial activity and half
are not. Interview method was used to collect data from women. Information on the
entrepreneurial problems was gathered and analyzed. The results of the study indicate lack of
supportive network, financial and marketing problems are the major problem areas for rural
women entrepreneurs and major demotivation for other women to initiate entrepreneurial
activity.

Dr Rajeev Singh & Mr. Pramod Nagaich (2011) made the analyses to identify the
major problems of women entrepreneurs in Jabalpur city with the objectives of analyzing the
various problems faced by them. For women entrepreneurs," starting and operating a business
involves considerable risks and difficulties regarding obtaining lines on credit, problems in
marketing management, production, advertising and packaging and other socio-personal,
managerial, technical, Raw-material, Inventory, Financial and governmental assistance
problems. By suggesting the remedial measure which will help in the acceleration of women
Entrepreneurship in the city.

Dr Rana Zehra Masood (2011) made the analyses to concept of women

entrepreneurs in India; their traits in the business, the problems faced by them when they
setup and make some suggestions for future prospects for the development of women
entrepreneurs. In the era of liberalization, privatization and globalization along with ongoing
IT revolution, today‘s world is changing at a surprising pace. Political and economic
transformations appear to be taking place everywhere as countries convert from command to
demand economies, dictatorships moves toward democratic system and monarchies build
new civil institutions. These changes have created economic opportunities for women who
want to own and operate businesses.

Kishor N. Choudhary and Dr. Arvind P.Rayalwar (2011)intends to highlight some

issues with reference to the strategic challenges and opportunities from a gender focus to
analyze the prospects of rural small and medium entrepreneurship for women. Women
entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all segments of the economy in India,
However, it is potentially empowering and liberating only if it provides women an
opportunity to improve their well-being and enhance their capabilities. On the other hand, if it
is driven by distress and is low public support than it may only increase womens drudgery.
The small and medium enterprises led by women experiencing some major challenges and
constraints.

Dr. N.V.Kavitha And Dr. P.Sai Rani (2011) makes an attempt to study the
opportunities and financial challenges of women entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh with an
objective to ascertain the financial and marketing constraints faced by women in their
enterprise .The Scope of study is restricted to few districts in Andhra Pradesh and small
business units. The study was carried on 100 women enterprises with the help of structured
questionnaires and efforts are made to cover all districts of Andhra Pradesh, with respect to
small scale units with the help of data available from ALEAP,(Association of lady
entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh) and FAPCCI (Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of
Commerce and Industry)and at some places snow ball sampling was also adopted. Data was
collected through structured questionnaires and they being tabulated taking educational
qualification of the respondents, turnover of the enterprise, year of establishment, and age of
the respondents as variables.
 CHAPTER-III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION :

Research is the process of gathering and analysis of critical and relevant facts about
any. It is a way to systematically solve the search problem. The research is the process of
―defining and redefining problems formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting,
organizing and evaluating data, making declarations and reaching conclusions and at last
carefully testing to determine whether they fit the hypothesis‖ by Clifferd Woody.

The researcher also needs to understand the assumptions underlying the various
techniques and procedures will be applicable to certain problems and others will not. The
advanced dictionary of current English lays down the meaning of research as ―A careful
investigation or enquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge‖.

RESEARCH DESIGN :

A research design is the arrangement of condition for collection and analysis of data
in a manner that aims to combine relevant to the research purpose with economy in
procedure.

The present type of research belongs to the category of Descriptive research design.
Since, it describes the state of affairs as it exists at present.

SAMPLE SIZE :

A sample of 100 respondents were taken for the study. Sample size refers to the
number of respondents selected from the geographical area to constitute sample.

SAMPLING UNIT :
 Geographical Area : COIMBATORE

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE :

Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used for the research.

According to Dr.Yates, ―There is no possibility of equal chance for the samples of all parent
population‖.

DATA COLLECTION :

Data collection means the assembling for the purpose of particular investigation of
entirely new data, presumably not already available in published sources. In this research
both the

1) Primary data

2) Secondary data

 PRIMARY DATA

The primary data are those, which collected fresh for the first time and this to be
original in character. The primary data collected from the respondents through questionnaire.

 SECONDARY DATA

The secondary data are collected from Journals, Articles, Books, Websites, etc.

QUESTIONNAIRE :

Questionnaire is an instrument delivered to the participant and the participant

completes that. The questionnaire consisted of a number of question in printed form. it has
both opened end and closed end question in it.
CONSTRUCTION OF QUESTIONNAIRE :

Questionnaire is the tool used for collecting data. Open ended, multiple choice, closed
ended and ranking of pre formulated questionnaire have been designed for the study.

SCALING TECHNIQUES :

For the closed ended question ,likert scale is the technique used for asking the
question. The respondent is asked to respond to each of the statement in terms of several
degrees as given below,

 SA-STRONGLY AGREE;
 A-AGREE;
 N-NEUTRAL;
 D-DISAGREE;
 SD-STRONGLY DISAGREE.

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES:

The Sampling techniques employed here is simple random sampling. The simple
random sampling involves the sample being drawn, from that part of the population. which is
close to hand. It may be through meeting the person or including a person in the sample when
one meets them.

STATISTICAL TOOLS USED :

Simple percentage analysis was used for the study..

SIMPLE PERCENTAGE ANALYSIS :

The percentage method is used for comparing certain feature. The collected data are
presented in the form of tables and graphs in order to give effective visualization of
comparison made. Simple percentage = ( No. of respondents / Total no. of respondents * 100)
 CHAPTER-IV

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

ANALYSIS :
The term analysis refers to the computation of certain measures along with searching
for patterns or relationships that exist among data groups. After collection of data has to be
processed and analyzed in accordance with the outline laid down for the purpose at the time
of developing the research plan.

INTERPRETATION :
Interpretation refers to the task drawing interpretation from the collected facts an
analytical and or experimental measuring of research findings. Interpretation is essential for
the simple reason that the usefulness and utility component of research process.
 TABLE NO: 1

AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Age No of respondents Percentage of

respondents

21-30 years 29 29
31-40 years 44 44
41-50 years 24 24
Above51 years 3 3
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 29 percent of the respondents belong to the age group
of 21-30 years, 44 percent of the respondents belongs to the age group of 31-40 years, 24
percent of the respondents belongs to the age group of 41-50 years and 3 percent of the
respondents belongs to the age group of above 51 years of age.

Majority (44 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are between the age group of 31-40
years.
 CHART NO: 1

AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS

AGE
50

45

40

35

30

25 No of respondents
Percentage of respondents
20

15

10

0
21-30 years 31-40 years 41-50 years Above51 years
 TABLE NO: 2

MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Marital status No of respondents Percentage of

respondents

Single 23 23
Married 67 67
Widow 2 2
Divorce/Separated 8 8
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 23 percent of the respondents are single , 67 percent of
the respondents are married, 1 percent of the respondents are widowed and 9 percent of the
respondents are divorced/separated.

Majority (67 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are married.

 CHART NO: 2

MARITAL STATUS OF THE RESPONDENTS

MARITAL STATUS
80

70

60

50

40

30 No of respondents
Percentage of respondents
20

10

0
 TABLE NO: 3

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Age No of Respondents Percentage of

respondents

SSLC 24 24

Higher 11 11
secondary

UG DEGREE 57 57

PG DEGREE 8 8

Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 24 percent of the respondents have completed their
SSLC (up to grade 10) , 11 percent of the respondents have completed their higher secondary
education, 57 percent of the respondents have completed their UG degree and the rest 8
percent have completed their PG degree.

Majority (57 percent) of the women entrepreneurs have completed their UG degree.
 CHART NO: 3

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
120

100

80

60

40

20

0
SSLC HSC UG DEGREE PG DEGREE Total

No of Respondents Percentage of respondents

 TABLE NO: 4

YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANISATION

Years Percentage of
No. of Organisations
respondents

Before 2000 6 6
2000 - 2004 7 7
2005 - 2009 33 33
2010 - 2014 42 42
2015 and Above 12 12
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 6 percent of the women entrepreneurs started their
business activities before 2000, 7 percent of the business organisations were started between
2000 - 2004, 33 percent of the business organisations were started between 2005 -2009, 42
percent of the business organizations were started between 2010-2014 and the balance 12
percent of the businesses were started after 2014.

Majority (75 percent) of the women entrepreneurs have started their businesses
between 2010 – 2014.
 CHART NO: 4

YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANISATIONS

6%
12%
7%

33%

42%
 TABLE NO: 5

WORK EXPERIENCE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Years No of respondents Percentage of

respondents

Up to 1 year 1 1

2-5 years 48 48
6-8 years 31 31
9-12 years 8 8
Above 12 years 12 12
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that,1 percent of the respondents have got only 1 year of
work experience, 48 percent of the respondents have got 2-5 years of work experience, 31
percent of the respondents have got 6-8 years of work experience, 8 percent of the
respondents have got 9-12 years of work experience and the rest 12% have got an experience
of above 12 years.
Majority (48 percent) of the women entrepreneurs have got 2-5 years of work
experience.
 CHART NO: 5

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF THE RESPONDENTS

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
No of respondents Percentage of respondents

Above 12 years 12 12

9-12 years 8 8

6-8 years 31 31

2-5 years 48 48

Up to 1 year 11
 TABLE NO: 6

TYPE OF FAMILY

Family Type No of respondents Percentage of

respondents

Nuclear 71 71

Joint 29 29

Total 100 100

The above table indicates that 71 percent of the respondents are from nuclear family
and 29 percent of the respondents from joint family.
Majority (71 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are from the nuclear family type.
 CHART NO: 6

FAMILY TYPE OF THE RESPONDENTS

FAMILY TYPE
Nuclear Joint Family

Joint Family

29%

Nuclear

71%
 TABLE NO: 7

RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS

Religion No of Respondents Percentage of

respondents

Hindu 88 88

Muslim 5 5
Christian 5 5
Others 2 2
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 88 percent of the respondents belongs to the
Hindu religion , 5 percent of the respondents belongs to the Muslim religion, 5 percent of the
respondents belongs to Christianity and 2 percent of the respondents belongs to the other
religions.

Majority (88 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are from the Hindu religion.
 CHART NO: 7

RELIGION OF THE RESPONDENTS

RELIGION
180

160

140

120

100
Percentage of respondents
80
No of Respondents
60

40

20

0
Hindu
Muslim
Christian
Others
 TABLE NO: 8

COMMUNITY DISTINGUISHMENT

Caste No of Respondents Percentage of

respondents

BC 20 20

MBC 54 54
SC/ST 14 14
FC 4 4
OTHERS 8 8
Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 20 percent of the respondents belongs to the
BC community, 54 percent of the respondents belongs to the MBC, 14 percent of the
respondents belongs to the SC/ST, 4 percent of the respondents belongs to the FC, and 8
percent of the respondents belong to other communities.
Majority (54 percent) of the women entrepreneurs belongs to the MBC community.
 CHART NO: 8

CASTE OF THE RESPONDENTS

CASTE
No of Respondents Percentage of respondents

54 54

20 20

14 14

8 8
4 4

BC MBC SC/ST FC OTHERS

 TABLE NO: 9

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS IN THE FAMILY

Number Of No of Respondents Percentage of

Dependent respondents

1 2 2

2 35 35

3 57 57

4 6 6

Total 100 100

The above table shoes that, 2 percent of the respondent family has got only 1
dependent, 35 percent of the respondent family has got 2 dependents, 57 percent of the
respondents has got 3 dependents and 6 percent of the respondents has got 4 dependents in
their family.

Majority (57 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are having dependents in their
family.
 CHART NO: 9

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS IN THE FAMILY

NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS
100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
1
2
3
4

Number Of Dependent No of Respondents Percentage of respondents

 TABLE NO: 9.A

NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS ABOVE 58 YEARS

No Of Dependent No of Percentage of
above 58 Years respondents respondents

1 62 62

2 38 38

Total 100 100.0

The above table shows that, 62 percent of the respondents has only 1 dependent above
the age of 58 years and 38 percent of the respondents has got 2 dependents in their family
with above the age of 58 years.

Majority (62 percent) of the respondents are having only single dependent of above
the age of 58 years.
 CHART NO: 9.A

NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS ABOVE 58 YEARS OF AGE

 TABLE NO: 9.B

NO. OF DEPENDENTS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE

No Of Dependent No of Percentage of
Below 18 Years Respondents respondents

1 70 70

2 30 30

Total 100 100

The above table shows that, 70 percent of the respondent family has got only 1
dependent below 18 years of age and 30 percent of the respondents has got 2 dependents in
their family below the age of 18 years.

Majority (70 percent) of the respondents are having one single dependent below the
age of 18 years.
 CHART NO: 9.B

NUMBER OF DEPENDENTS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE

 TABLE NO:10

MONTHLY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS

Monthly Income No of Respondents Percentage of

respondents

Below 6000 22 22

6001-12000 41 41

12001-18000 28 28

18001-24000 5 5

Above 24001 4 4

Total 100 100

The above table indicates that 22 percent of the respondents monthly income is below
Rs.6000 ; 41 percent of the respondents monthly income is between 6001 – 12000 ; 28
percent of the respondents monthly income is between 12001 – 18000 ; 5 percent of the
respondents monthly income is between 18001 – 24000 ; and the rest 4 percent is having a
monthly income above 24001.

Majority (41 percent) of the women entrepreneurs monthly income is between

Rs.6001-12000.
 CHART NO: 10

MONTHLY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS

200

180

160

140

120

100

80 Percentage of respondents
No of Respondents
60

40

20

0
 TABLE NO: 11

FAMILY INCOME

Family Income No of Respondents Percentage of

respondents

Below 15000 8 8

15001-25000 39 39

25001-35000 28 28

35001-45000 18 18

Above 45000 7 7

Total 100 100

The above table indicates that, 8 percent of the respondents family income is below
Rs.15,000 ; 39 percent of the respondents family income is from 150001-25000 ; 28 percent
is of 35001-45000 and the rest 7 percent is above Rs.45000.

Majority (67 percent) of the women entrepreneurs‘ family income is between

Rs.15001-35000.
 CHART NO: 11

FAMILY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS

Below 15000 15001-25000 25001-35000 35001-45000 Above 45001

7% 8%

18%

39%

28%
 TABLE NO: 12.A

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PUSH FACTORS )

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Death of breadwinner 6.9 3.4 5.2 44.8 39.7

Sudden fall in family 1.7 6.9 10.3 22.4 58.6

income

Permanent inadequacy in 0.4 8.6 8.2 34.5 48.3

income of the family

To improve standard Of 2.0 3.2 13.8 63.8 17.2

living

Others (Specify) 22.4 51.7 21.7 1.7 2.5

From the above table it is observed that, about 44.8% of the respondents agreed that they
have started their own business due to the death of the breadwinner.

From the above table it is observed that, about 58.6% of the respondents strongly agreed that
they have started this business due to the sudden fall in their family income.

From the above table it is observed that, about 48.3% of the respondents strongly agreed that
they have started their own business or own kind of job due to permanent inadequacy in
income of the other members of the family.

From the above table it is observed that ,about 63.8% of the respondents agreed that they
have started their own small scale business in order to improve their standard of living.

From the above table it is observed that, 51.7% of the respondents did not have any other
specific reasons for starting their own establishment.
 CHART NO: 12.A

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PUSH FACTORS )

70

60

50

40
Strongly
Disagree
30
Neither agree nor
Agree
20 Strongly agree

10

0
Death of Sudden fall in Permanent To improve Others
breadwinner family inadequacy standard Of (Specify)
income in income of living
the family
 TABLE NO: 12.B

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PULL FACTORS )

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Women‘s desire to 1.0 8.6 19.6 32.8 37.9
evaluate their talent
To utilise their free 2.3 3.4 51.4 24.6 18.3
time and education

Need and perception of 45.4 23.2 27.8 2.4 1.2

women‘s liberation,
equity etc.,

To gain recognition, 9.2 8.3 25.9 46.3 10.3

importance and social
status

To get economic 3.2 2.7 11.0 59.4 23.7

independence

From the above table it is observed that, about 37.9% of the respondents strongly agreed that
they have started their own business in order to evaluate their talent.

From the above table it is observed that, about 51.4% of the respondents neither agree nor
disagree to the statement ―to utilise their free time and education‖.

From the above table it is observed that, about 45.4% of the respondents strongly disagreed to
the statement ―Need and perception of women‘s liberation, equity etc.,‖

From the above table it is observed that, about 46.3% of the respondents agreed that they
have started their own business in order to gain recognition, importance and social status in
the society.

From the above table it is observed that, 59.4% of the respondents agreed that they have setup
their own business in order to get economic independence.
 CHART NO: 12.B

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PULL FACTORS )

Chart Title

To get economic independence

To gain recognition, importance and social

status

Need and perception of women’s

liberation, equity etc.,

To utilise their free time and education

Women’s desire to evaluate their talent

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Need and To gain
Women’s
To utilise their perception of recognition, To get
desire to
free time and women’s importance economic
evaluate their
education liberation, and social independence
talent
equity etc., status
Strongly 0 1 2.3 45.4 9.2 3.2
Disagree 8.6 3.4 23.2 8.3 2.7
Neither agree nor 0 19.6 51.4 27.8 25.9 11
Agree 32.8 24.6 2.4 46.3 59.4
Strongly agree 37.9 18.3 1.2 10.3 23.7
 TABLE NO: 13

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Non availability of long 1.4 3.6 14.7 49.4 30.9
term finance
Regular and frequent 1.8 2.1 4.4 47.4 44.3
need of working capital

Long procedure to avail 3.1 4.8 29.4 39.9 22.8

financial help

High cost of living 9.4 8.2 14.7 44.6 23.1

Too many dependents 5.6 9.7 11.3 34.9 38.5

From the above table it is observed that, about 49.4% of the respondents agreed that non
availability of long term finance is one of the major problem faced by them financially.

From the above table it is observed that, about 47.4% of the respondents agreed that they
need regular and frequent need of working capital

From the above table it is observed that, about 39.9% of the respondents has agreed that
availing finance from various banks and financial institutions is a very long process and it has
got various procedures too.

From the above table it is observed that, about 44.6% of the respondents agreed that their cost
of living is too high.

From the above table it is observed that, 38.5% of the respondents strongly agreed that they
have got too many dependents.
 CHART NO: 13

FINANCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

100
90
80
70
60
50
40 Strongly agree
30
Agree
20
10 Neither agree nor
0 Disagree
Strongly
 TABLE NO: 14

MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Lack of demand in 28.4 31.2 18.4 20.7 1.3
local market
Tough competition 0.8 2.4 5.9 63.6 27.3
from larger and
established units

Poor location of shop 1.9 7.7 18.4 54.3 17.7

Lack of transport 74.5 8.8 6.9 7.2 2.6

facility
Lack of marketing 1.4 2.3 7.6 34.4 54.3
center
Difficulty in affording 2.8 3.4 28.8 47.3 17.7
own vehicle
Not being popular 1.9 3.7 17.4 48.6 28.4

From the above table it is observed that, about 31.2% of the respondents disagreed to the
statement ‗lack of demand in local market‘.

From the above table it is observed that, about 63.6% of the respondents agreed that they face
a tough competition in the market that too from the large industries and established units

From the above table it is observed that, about 54.3% of the respondents has agreed that the
location if the store also plays a vital role in determining the demand for the products
produced.

From the above table it is observed that, about 74.5% of the respondents have strongly
disagreed to the statement ‗lack of transport facility‘ and thus we can conclude stating that
there is adequate transportation facility in their locality for the transportation of goods.

From the above table it is observed that, 54.3% of the respondents strongly agreed that they
don‘t have a proper marketing channel to market their products.

From the above table it is observed that, 47.3% of the respondents agreed that they have
difficulties in affording an own vehicle for their work related activities.
From the above table it is observed that, 48.6% of the respondents have agreed to the
statement ‗not being popular‘, this says that the women entrepreneurs aren‘t popular in their
field of work and due this reason also their products don‘t have much demand.
 CHART NO : 14

MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

80

70

60

50

40

30
Strongly Disagree
20
Disagree

10 Neither agree nor disagree

Agree
0
Strongly agree
 TABLE NO: 15

PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Non availability of raw 27.5 29.9 13.5 24.3 4.8
materials

Non availability of 20.3 32.5 26.9 13.4 6.9

machine or equipment

Training facility 2.6 14.3 36.8 23.7 22.6

Repairing and 32.4 23.6 13.7 26.5 3.8

Maintenance Facility
Non availability of 13.4 27.2 14.8 23.1 21.5
labour
Non availability of 8.6 14.7 33.4 23.2 20.1
shop/place
High cost of required 2.3 13.4 8.6 40.8 34.9
machine or equipment

From the above table it is observed that, about 29.9% of the respondents disagreed to the
statement ‗non-availability of raw materials‘, thus we can get to know that majority of the
respondents get the required raw materials as and when they require and there are no
hindrances in acquiring the raw materials.

From the above table it is observed that, about 32.5% of the respondents have disagreed to
the statement ‗non-availability of machine or equipment‘, thus we can conclude that required
machines are easily available in the market.

From the above table it is observed that, about 36.8% of the respondents have neither agreed
nor disagreed about the training facilities that are available.

From the above table it is observed that, about 32.4% of the respondents disagreed to the
statement ‗repairing and maintenance facility‘ and thus we can get to know that there are
enough number of persons to repair and maintain the machineries.

From the above table it is observed that, 23.1% of the respondents agreed that there is no
adequate number of labourers present for accomplishing the work.
 From the above table it is observed that, 33.4% of the respondents have neither agreed nor
disagreed to the statement ‗non-availability of shops‘.

From the above table it is observed that, 40.8% of the respondents agreed that the cost of the
machineries are high in amount and thus they couldn‘t afford much in order to buy the
needed machineries.
 CHART NO: 15

PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

High cost of required machine or

equipment

Non availability of shop/place

Non availability of labour

Strongly agree
Agree
Repairing and Maintenance Facility
Neither agree nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Training facility

Non availability of machine or

equipment

Non availability of raw materials

0 10 20 30 40 50
 TABLE NO: 16

HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Eye-Strain 3.2 2.4 19.2 45.6 29.6
Problems Of Joints 6.8 12.2 13.9 34.7 32.4

Respiratory Problems 7.7 6.1 38.1 23.8 24.3

Lack Of Rest And 10.1 14.6 22.8 39.1 13.4
Sleep
Uncomfortable 16.4 22.7 14.2 33.9 12.8
Working Posture

From the above table it is observed that, about 45.6% of the respondents agreed that they
have got eye-strain due to the work possessed by them.

From the above table it is observed that, about 34.7% of the respondents agreed that they
have got joint problems due to their heavy workload.

From the above table it is observed that, about 39.1% of the respondents agreed that they
don‘t get adequate amount of rest and sleep because of their workload.

From the above table it is observed that, 33.9% of the respondents have also agreed that they
feel uncomfortable with their work posture.
 CHART NO: 16

HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

50

45

40

35

30

25
Strongly Disagree
20 Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
15
Agree
10 Strongly agree

0
 TABLE NO: 17

WORK PLACE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Factors Strongly Disagree Neither Agree Strongly

Disagree agree nor agree
disagree
Space 2.3 4.8 29.1 44.4 19.4
Artificial Light 8.1 14.6 18.4 25.4 33.5

Ventilation 6.7 7.1 19.3 33.7 33.2

Water 33.8 27.6 14.2 13.6 10.8

Air Pollution 3.7 10.2 14.8 39.7 31.6

From the above table it is observed that, about 44.4% of the respondents agreed that they
don‘t have adequate space in the workplace.

From the above table it is observed that, about 33.5% of the respondents have strongly agreed
that the artificial light in the workplace is affecting them and due to that they face few
problems like lack of concentration, and vision problems.

From the above table it is observed that, about 33.7% of the respondents have agreed that
they don‘t have proper ventilation in their workplace.

From the above table it is observed that, about 33.8% of the respondents have stated that they
get enough water in their workplace and thus have disagreed to the particular statement.

From the above table it is observed that, 39.7% of the respondents agreed that their
workplace causes air pollution and it does disturbs the respondents.
 CHART NO: 17

WORK PLACE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%
Strongly agree
Agree
50%
Neither agree nor

40% Disagree
Strongly
30%

20%

10%

0%
Space Artificial Ventilation Water Air Pollution
Light
 CHAPTER-V
5.1 FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

 Majority (73 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are between the age group of 21-40
years.

 Majority (67 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are get married.

 Majority (57 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are finished their UG Degree.

 Majority (75 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are started their business
organization between the years of 2001-2008.

 Majority (48 percent) of the women entrepreneurs having the experience between 2
to 5 years.

 Majority (71 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are from the nuclear family type.

 Majority (88 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are from the Hindu religion.

 Majority (54 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are belong to the MBC caste.

 Majority (57 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are having the three numbers of
dependents in their family.

 Majority (62.5 percent) of the Respondents are having the single dependent with
above 58 years of age.

 Majority (69.8 percent) of the Respondents are having the single dependent with
below 18 years of age.

 Majority (41 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are having their monthly income
between Rs 6001-18000.

 Majority (67 percent) of the women entrepreneurs are having their family income

Between Rs 15001-35000.
MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PUSH FACTORS ) :

The study reveals that, 44.8% of the respondents have started their own business due
to the death of the breadwinner.

The study reveals that, 58.6% of the respondents have started this business due to the
sudden fall in their family income.

The study reveals that, 48.3% of the respondents have started their own business or
own kind of job due to permanent inadequacy in income of the other members of the
family.

The study reveals that , about 63.8% of the respondents have started their own small
scale business in order to improve their standard of living.

The study reveals that, 51.7% of the respondents did not have any other specific
reasons for starting their own establishment.

MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ( PUSH FACTORS ) :

The study reveals that, about 37.9% of the respondents have started their own
business in order to evaluate their talent.

The study reveals observed that, about 51.4% of the respondents neither agree nor
disagree to the statement ―to utilise their free time and education‖.

The study reveals that, about 45.4% of the respondents strongly disagreed to the
statement ―Need and perception of women‘s liberation, equity etc.,‖

The study reveals that, about 46.3% of the respondents agreed that they have started
their own business in order to gain recognition, importance and social status in the
society.

The study reveals that, 59.4% of the respondents agreed that they have setup their
own business in order to get economic independence.
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN
ENTREPRENEURS :

The study reveals that, about 49.4% of the respondents stated that non availability of
long term finance is one of the major problem faced by them financially.

The study reveals that, about 47.4% of the respondents have stated that they need
regular and frequent need of working capital

The study reveals that, about 39.9% of the respondents have agreed that availing
finance from various banks and financial institutions is a very long process and it has
got various procedures too.

The study reveals that, about 44.6% of the respondents have stated that their cost of
living is too high.

The study reveals that, 38.5% of the respondents have got too many dependents in
their family.

MARKETING PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS :

The study reveals that, about 31.2% of the respondents have got demand for their
products in the local market.

The study reveals that, about 63.6% of the respondents face a tough competition in the
market that too from the large industries and established units

The study reveals that, about 54.3% of the respondents has stated that the location of
the store also plays a vital role in determining the demand for the products produced.

The study reveals that, about 74.5% of the respondents have got all the transportation
facilities.

The study reveals that, 54.3% of the respondents don‘t have a proper marketing
channel to market their products.
 The study reveals that, 47.3% of the respondents have difficulties in affording an own
vehicle for their work related activities.

The study reveals that, 48.6% of the respondents have agreed to the statement ‗not
being popular‘, this says that the women entrepreneurs aren‘t popular in their field of
work and due this reason also their products don‘t have much demand.

PRODUCTION PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS :

The study reveals that, about 29.9% of the respondents have got all the needed raw
materials in the market.

The study reveals that, about 32.5% of the respondents have also stated that all the
needed equipment and machineries are easily available.

The study reveals that, about 36.8% of the respondents have neither agreed nor
disagreed about the training facilities that are available.

The study reveals that, about 32.4% of the respondents have got all the repairing and
maintenance facilities available in the local market itself.

The study reveals that, 23.1% of the respondents have stated that there is no adequate
number of laborers present for accomplishing the work.

The study reveals that, 33.4% of the respondents have neither agreed nor disagreed to
the statement ‗non-availability of shops‘.

The study reveals that, 40.8% of the respondents have told that the cost of the
machineries are high in amount and thus they couldn‘t afford much in order to buy the
needed machineries.

HEALTH PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS :

The study reveals that, about 45.6% of the respondents have got eye-strain due to the
work possessed by them.
 The study reveals that, about 34.7% of the respondents have got joint problems due to
their heavy workload.

The study reveals that, about 39.1% of the respondents don‘t get adequate amount of
rest and sleep because of their workload.

The study reveals that, 33.9% of the respondents feel uncomfortable with their work
posture.

WORK PLACE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS :
The study reveals that, about 44.4% of the respondents don‘t have adequate space in
the workplace.

The study reveals that, about 33.5% of the respondents have stated that the artificial
light in the workplace is affecting them and due to that they face few problems like
lack of concentration, and vision problems.

The study reveals that, about 33.7% of the respondents don‘t have proper ventilation
in their workplace.

The study reveals that, about 33.8% of the respondents have stated that they get
enough water in their workplace.

The study reveals that, about 39.7% of the respondents agreed that their workplace
causes air pollution and it does disturbs them.
 5.2 SUGGESTIONS

 The women entrepreneurs have felt necessity of, proper sheds and plots, financial
subsidies and availability of raw materials and adequate and proper transport facilities
etc. It is assumed that these factors are needed to be considered mostly by the
government and funding agencies for various purposes.

 There are many problems in relation to guidance as stated by the women

entrepreneurs. The concentration of marketing problems and production problems are
found to be of serious nature, which may also be rectified by using the parameters
associated to this study.

 Women entrepreneurs have also communicated several financial problems in relation

to price-fluctuations, non-availability of loan and funds and their release in time.
Attention of the government as well as the voluntary organizations should be drawn in
rectifying these problems by making liberal assistance and gearing up the various
facilities for enhancement of the status of enterprises.

 Finally on the basis of the study, several problems are faced with government
assistance, which involves proper policy to help small entrepreneurs, red-tapism,
non-availability of guidance and advisory service in time, etc.

 Obviously, these factors need to be considered in re-framing and re-organizing

Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDPs) in the country, which will not only
benefit the entrepreneurs but will be in the largest interest of the region and country,
in achieving higher productivity and prosperity.

 Women should learn to analyse the different and small factors in business field like
how to get raw materials of good quality at a cheap rate, how to negotiate and what
are the discount facilities available. They should not allow anybody to cheat them in
anyway, for being women. Women should not consider emotional feelings in
business. They should prove that they possess high management skills and courage,
ready to take risk and ability to solve problems.
 The women entrepreneurs may have to leave the family and make business tours.
They may have to travel alone or with others, stay in a new place. The family should
not put any restriction and help them to look after the family in their absence. The
women should not lose hope if they face failure, in spite of taking many efforts. They
should not give up even if the loss is more. They should try to come up successfully
again.
 5.3 CONCLUSION

This research work is a rewarding exercise as it helped to gain more knowledge on the
role of women entrepreneurs. It is concluded that most of the women entrepreneurs are facing
the constraints in aspects of financial, marketing, production, health, work place facility
problems and work family conflicts.

The major problems faced by women entrepreneurs are :

 Financial Problems: Finance is a most important aspect of any business. Non-

availability of long-term finance, regular and frequent need of working capital and long
procedure to avail financial help are found to be the financial problems faced by
respondents based on the multiple responses given by them Non availability of long-
term finance was found to be a problem faced by women entrepreneurs.

 Marketing Problems: During the process of marketing of products women

entrepreneurs faced certain problems viz. poor location of shop, lack of transport facility
and tough competition from larger and established units. There was a significant
difference in the problems faced by entrepreneurs. Difficulty in affording own vehicle
was a major factor causing marketing problem.

 Production Problems: Production problems faced by maximum respondents are non-

availability of raw material. Non-availability of raw material was one of the reasons to
the slow growth of women entrepreneurs. Other production problems are non-
availability of machine or equipment, lack of training facility and non-availability of
labor. Major causable factors leading to production problems are high cost of required
machine or equipment.

 Health Problems: Major health problems faced by women entrepreneurs are tension,
backache, eyestrain fatigue and headache by most of the respondents respectively.
Women respondents faced the problem of feeling fatigued after returning home.
Causable factors are lack of rest and sleep and heavy schedule.
  Work Place Problems: The work place facility problems faced are viz. inadequate work
place for water, less entrance for natural light and improper space for work. Women
entrepreneurs faced the problem of lack of proper places. Work place problems are
faced by maximum respondents. Causable factors are water shortage, less entrance for
natural light and lack of sufficient area for business.

Major problems faced by women entrepreneurs are poor location of unit, tough
competition from larger and established units because in all the enterprises work was done
manually so it was very tough to compete with those enterprises in which electrical
equipment and big machineries are used. Other problems are lack of transport facility, lack of
time for household work, non-availability of raw material, heavy schedule and lack of time
for rest and sleep leading to mental tension and fatigue. The factors causable to these
problems are difficulty in affording own vehicle, product not being popular, heavy schedule
of work and long job hours.

For effective sustainable development and technology transfer for women

entrepreneurs proper training based on scientific inputs, Suitable product ideas, product
identification, market survey, project formulation and necessary approvals from the
government at the right time with less legal formalities, soft recovery rules are of utmost
importance.

Finance should be made available to women entrepreneurs at a reduced rate of

interest. Collateral security should be done away with in the case of women applicant of
small-scale industry. Margin money for women entrepreneurs‘ should not be more than ten
percent. The procedures and formalities of bank should be simplified and the required
documents should be minimized. Moreover all the documents shall be in the regional
language.

At the district level, a separate women‘s organization can be formed so as to help

women entrepreneurs in fulfilling their requirements of financial assistance, marketing aid,
obtaining subsides, concessions, technical know-how, raw material assistance, conduct of
market surveys to assess the feasibility counseling, follow up guidance etc..
 Women are expected to spend more time for the family and more responsibilities are
thrust on them so that they cannot even think of doing any business. The family members
should understand them and give way for continuing their efforts for becoming and being a
woman entrepreneur. The family members may hesitate to invest money in business started
by woman or permit to avail bank loan. Sometimes, all the property may be in the name of
male persons and they may not be ready to put security for availing a bank loan. Women
should find a solution for the opposition in the family for doing a business and try to get full
moral and financial support from them. The women should not be treated as supplementary
income providers.
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 APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

A STUDY ON CHALLENGES FACED BY THE WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS WITH SPECIAL REFRENCE TO COIMBATORE
CITY

1. Name of the Organisation:

2. Personal Information:

A) Name:

B) Age:

C) Marital Status: ( ) Single ( ) Married ( ) Widow ( ) Divorce/Separated

D) Education:

E) Year of Establishment:

F) Years of Experience:

G) Type of the Family: ( ) Nuclear ( ) Joint Family

H) Religion: ( ) Hindu ( ) Muslim ( ) Christian ( ) Others

I) Caste: ( ) BC ( ) MBC ( ) SC/ST ( ) FC ( ) Others

J) Family Background:

S.No Name Relationship Sex Age Education Occupation Monthly

(Years) Completed Doing Income
(Rs.)
3. Motivational Factors to Take Up a Job:

1) Push Factors

Factors SD D NA A SA

Death of breadwinner

Sudden fall in family

income

Permanent inadequacy in
income of the family

To improve standard Of
living

Others (Specify)

2) Pull Factors

Factors SD D NA A SA

Women‘s desire to
evaluate their talent

To utilise their free time

and education

Need and perception of

women‘s liberation, etc

To gain recognition,
importance and social
status

To get economic
independence
4. Financial Problems and Causative Factors Faced By Women Entrepreneurs:

S.No Problems And Factors SD D NA A SA

I Problems
1 Non-Availability Of Long Term Finance

2 Regular And Frequent Need Of Working

Capital

3 Long Procedure To Avail Financial Help

II Factors
1 High Cost Of Living

2 Too Many Dependents To Support

5. Marketing Problems And Causative Factors Faced By Women Entrepreneurs:

S.No Problems And Factors SA A AVG DA SDA

I Problems
1 Lack Of Demand In Local Market

2 Tough Competition From Larger And

Established Units

3 Poor Location Of Shop

4 Lack Of Transport Facility

5 Lack Of Marketing Center

II Factors
1 Difficulty In Affording Own Vehicle
2 Not Being Popular

6. Production Problems And Causative Factors Faced By Women Entrepreneurs:

S.No Problems And Factors SA A AVG DA SDA

I Problems
1 Non Availability Of Raw Materials

2 Non Availability Of Machine Or

Equipment

3 Training Facility

4 Repairing and Maintenance Facility

5 Non Availability Of Labour

6 Non Availability Of Shop/Place

II Factors

1 High Cost Of Required Machine Or

Equipment

7. Health Problems And Causative Factors Faced By Women Entrepreneurs:

S.No Problems And Factors SD D NA A SA

I Problems
1 Eye-Strain

2 Problems Of Joints
3 Respiratory Problems

II Factors
1 Lack Of Rest And Sleep

2 Uncomfortable Working Posture

8. Work Place Facility Problems And Causative Factors Faced By Women

Entrepreneurs:

S.No Problems And Factors SD D NA A SA

I Problems
1 Space

2 Artificial Light

3 Ventilation

4 Water

II Factors
1 Air Pollution