Social Relevance Project (SP)

A SOCIAL RELEVANCE PROJECT REPORT ON
“A STUDY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH SPECIAL

REFRENCE TO NAVI MUMBAI’’
Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of the Degree of
Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Under University of Mumbai
BATCH 2021-23
SUBMITTED BY
SHRADDHA NARESH PATIL
ROLL NO: 212051
SPECIALISATION
FINANCE
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Dr. Celina Joy
PILLAI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND RESEARCH,

NEW PANVEL - 410206
1
PILLAI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND
RESEARCH,
NEW PANVEL - 410206
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that project titled “A STUDY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH

SPECIAL REFRENCE TO NAVI MUMBAI” is successfully completed by Shraddha Patil
during the IV Semester, in partial fulfilment of the Master's Degree in Management Studies
recognized by the University of Mumbai for the academic year 2021– 23 through PILLAI
INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND RESEARCH, NEW PANVEL – 410206.
This project work is original and not submitted earlier for the award of any degree / diploma or
associate ship of any other University / Institution.
Name of Guide: Dr. Celina Joy
(Signature of the
Date: ______________________ Guide)
2
INDEX
PG.NO PARTICULARS SR.NO
1. CHAPTER NO.01 4-10
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
1.4 AIM OF STUDY
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
2. CHAPTER NO.02 11
2.1 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.2 TYPE OF RESEARCH
3.3 RESEARCH METHOD
3.4 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS

4.1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
5.1 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
6 FINDINDS 44
7. SUGGESTIONS 45
8. CONCLUSIONS 46
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Creating conductive ecosystems for entrepreneurship is imperative to catapult economies to a higher

level of growth. A women entrepreneur is any woman who organizes and manages any enterprise,
especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. However, quite often the term
women owned business is used relative to government contracting.09 per cent of industrial output
and employ over 8 million people. Approximately, 78 percent of women enterprises belong to the
services sector. Women often reinvest their income in their children’s education, health, and
nutrition. That the cause of financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women in India
needs urgent policy intervention is brought home by several statistics. 68 trillion and total supply of
formal finance was around Rs. 2. The Government has been promoting women enterprises
development under the umbrella of MSME development. Business development services provided
including training, market access support, technology upgradation and credit facilities. A positive
step by the Government in enhancing women entrepreneurship has been the establishment of
Bhartiya Mahila Bank, India’s first all-women bank providing services predominantly in the
megamerger of State Bank of India and its subsidiaries, that fate of this bank is now in limbo, with
the Cabinet undecided on its merger. very little is known about the entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship
is one of the most important inputs in the economic development of the country. A developing
country needs entrepreneurs who are competent to perceive new opportunities and are willing to
incur the necessary risk in exploiting them. Women’s skill and knowledge, their talents, abilities in
business and compelling desire of wanting to do something positive are some of the reasons for the
women entrepreneurs to organize industries.
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CHAPTER I
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Entrepreneurs, arguably, are the most important actors in an economy. Through innovation and job
creation, they promote private sector development and drive economic growth. Creating conductive
ecosystems for entrepreneurship is imperative to catapult economies to a higher level of growth.
However, any attempt at encouraging entrepreneurship will be lopsided without involving women.
A women entrepreneur is any woman who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a
business, usually with considerable initiative and risk. However, quite often the term women owned
business is used relative to government contracting. In this instance, the entrepreneur (women) owns
(more than 50%) controls and runs the enterprises problem faced by women at various stages
beginning from their initial commencement of enterprise, in running their enterprise – A women
entrepreneur can be defined as a confident, innovative and creative women capable of achieving self-
economic independence individually or in collaboration, generates employment opportunities for
others through initiating, establishing and running the enterprise by keeping pace with her personal,
family and social life.
Entrepreneurial spirit is not a mail prerogative. According to the World Bank, women operate 25 to
33 percent of all private business in the world. Collectively, these women-owned enterprises
contribute 3.09 per cent of industrial output and employ over 8 million people. Approximately, 78
percent of women enterprises belong to the services sector. Women entrepreneurship is largely
skewed towards smaller sized firms, as in almost 98 sectors, access to formal finance is a key barrier
to the growth of women-owned business, leading to over this is the high population of women-
owned enterprises in the services.
Economically empowered women are also major catalysts for development. There is greater
recognition of the positive relationship between increased economic activity by women and
improved social outcomes. Women often reinvest their income in their children’s education, health,
and nutrition.
This has a positive impact on the potential for economic growth.
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Despite all this, there are still gender gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystems. That the cause of
financial inclusion and economic empowerment for women in India needs urgent policy intervention
is brought home by several statistics. The world economic forum 2016 Gender Gap Report ranked
India lowly 136 out of 144 countries in terms of economic participation and opportunities for
women. They also face disproportionately high barriers in starting and growing their business.
Women-owned businesses in India are undercapitalized and continue to be concentrated in small,

low growth ventures. According to a recent IFC report, the total financial requirement of women-
owned MSMEs in 2012 was around Rs 8.68 trillion and total supply of formal finance was around
Rs. 2.31 trillion.
The Government has been promoting women enterprises development under the umbrella of MSME
development. Business development services provided including training, market access support,
technology upgradation and credit facilities.
A positive step by the Government in enhancing women entrepreneurship has been the establishment
of Bhartiya Mahila Bank, India’s first all-women bank providing services predominantly in the
megamerger of State Bank of India and its subsidiaries, that fate of this bank is now in limbo, with
the Cabinet undecided on its merger. The reason for this flip-flop is unknown. But the bank,
launched just
3 years ago to promote women’s empowerment and financial inclusion, is still a low business with
just 100 branches and a business of Rs.1.548 crore, its operation is nascent.
The state of women entrepreneurship in India thus remains largely an under invested and under
investigated area; very little is known about the entrepreneurs. What motivates them, how they
emerge and why they succeed. Ignorance of this demography is a serious blind spot in any effort to
increase their participation in the economy.
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1.2 PROBBLEM STATEMENT
Entrepreneurship is one of the most important inputs in the economic development of the country.
Entrepreneurs act as catalytic agents in the process of industrialization and economic growth. A
developing country needs entrepreneurs who are competent to perceive new opportunities and are
willing to incur the necessary risk in exploiting them. Women’s skill and knowledge, their talents,
abilities in business and compelling desire of wanting to do something positive are some of the
reasons for the women entrepreneurs to organize industries. Nowadays, it has been realized that
enterprise women have cost entrepreneurial talents which could be harnessed to convert them from
the position of job seekers to job givers. Empowerment of women has emerged as an important issue
in recent times. Hence, the issue of economic empowerment of women is of paramount importance
to political thinkers, social scientists, and reformers. The government has realised the importance of
women entrepreneurship. So, the present study is an inquiry into the nature and working of the
existing women entrepreneurship.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:
An entrepreneur is an important constituent of the development process and an integral part of

socioeconomic development. Full participation of all sections of the population including women is
important for the development of a society. The basic need for conducting this study is the analysis
of various factors influencing women entrepreneurs and problems faced by them. Entrepreneurship is
the key factor of entrepreneurship. The present study is the existence of various entrepreneurship and
forward some suggestions for improving the performance of women entrepreneurs.
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1.4 AIM OF STUDY:
“A detailed study on Women Entrepreneurship in Rural area with special

reference to Navi Mumbai Area”
1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

a) To identify the factors influencing women entrepreneurs
b) To analyse the performance of women entrepreneurs and problems faced by them
c) To give suitable suggestions for development of women entrepreneurship based on findings.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
Even though the government organizes women by various associations, they are not ready to
undertake business. Women are the main stream of progress in economic and social spheres of
development. The study of women entrepreneurship has always been a topic of wider interest and
varied factors. Hence, present study is confined to analyse the factors influencing women
entrepreneurs and problems faced by them, motivation factors of women entrepreneurs, relationship
between socio-economic background of women entrepreneurs and their existing entrepreneurial
traits.
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CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Review of literature provides a critical summary of research already done on the relevant topics.
Review of literature is conducted to generate theoretical and scientific knowledge about a particular
phenomenon and result in a synthesis of what is known and unknown about the phenomenon. Given
below is a brief summary of objectives and findings of studies already carried out.
1) Tom Buna (2009), made a study of women entrepreneurs in Asian developing countries. The
study of education, lack of capital and cultural or religious constraints. However, the study revealed
that most of the women entrepreneurs in small, medium enterprises are from the category focused
mainly on women entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises based on data analysis and review
of recent key literature. This study found that in Asian developing countries, small medium
enterprises are gaining overwhelming importance, more than 95% of all firms in all sectors on
average per country. The study also depicted the fact that representation of women entrepreneurs
seeking for better family incomes.
2) Singh (2008), identifies the reason and influencing factors behind the entry of women
entrepreneurship. He explained the characteristics of their business in Indian content and obstacles
and challenges. He mentioned the obstacles to the growth of women entrepreneurship are mainly
lack of interaction with successful entrepreneurs, social unacceptance as women entrepreneurs,
family responsibility, gender discrimination, missing network, low priority given by bankers to
provide loans to various entrepreneurs. He suggested remedial measures like promoting micro
enterprises, unlocking institutional framework, projecting and pulling to grow and support the
winners etc. The study advocates for ensuring synergy among the women related ministry, economic
ministry, and social and welfare development ministry of the government of India.
3) V. Krishnamurthy and R. Balasubramanian (April 2014) identified the important women

entrepreneurial motivation factors and its impact on entrepreneurial success. The study identified
ambition, skills and knowledge, family support, market opportunities, independence, government
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subsidy and satisfaction are the important entrepreneurial motivational factors. The study also
concluded that ambitions, knowledge, and skill independence dimensions of entrepreneurial
motivation has a significant impact on entrepreneurial success.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN:
The research design for the study is descriptive in nature. It includes both primary and secondary
data. Research design means the framework of study that leads to the collection and analysis of data.
It is a conceptual structure within which research is conducted. It facilitates smooth sailing of various
research operations to make the research as effective as possible.
3.1.1 TYPE OF RESEARCH
The study was conducted as an explanatory sampling survey method to collect primary and
secondary data. Every decision poses a unique need for information, and relevant strategies can be
developed based on the information gathered through research. Research is the systematic objective
and exhaustive research for the study of facts relevant to the problem. The study consists of
explanatory research in which we conduct the survey by preparing questionnaires for the collection
of data from the sample respondents.
3.1.2 RESEARCH METHOD
Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilized in the collection of data or
evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create understanding of a topic. So, the
method used in this study is the survey method in which we have gathered the data for a study by
asking people questions related to the research.
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3.1.3 DATA COLLECTION TOOLS
Primary Data:
Primary data is collected directly from various women entrepreneurs with the help of personal
interviews.
Secondary Data:
Secondary data were collected from websites, research reports, books, and journals.
3.2 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
A random sampling technique was used to collect data from the respondents. A random sample is a
sample selected from a population in such a way that every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected and the selection of any individual does not influence the selection of any
other. The selection is purely depending on chance. So, while conducting the survey, 100
respondents were selected at random.
3.2.1 SAMPLING PROCEDURE:
The group of individuals under the study is known as population or universe. Some of the women
entrepreneurs in Raigad district are taken as a universe.
3.2.2 Sampling Unit:
The women entrepreneurs in Navi Mumbai are selected as a sampling unit.
3.2.3 Sampling Size:
A sample size of 70 respondents were selected and included in study who have engaged to start an
enterprise and running successfully.
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3.2.4 Sampling Method:
The sampling method adopted for the study is convenience sampling which is obtained by selecting a
convenient population.
CHAPTER IV
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Women entrepreneurs may be defined as a women or group of women who initiate, organize, and run
a business enterprise. In terms of Schumpeterian concept of innovative entrepreneurs, women who
innovate, initiate, or adopt a business activity are called “women entrepreneur”
The Government of India has defined women entrepreneurs based on women participation in equity
and employment of a business enterprise. Accordingly, the Government of India has defined women
entrepreneur as an enterprise owned and controlled by a woman having minimum financial interest
of 51 percent of the capital and giving at least 51 percent of the employment generated in the
enterprise to women. However, this definition is subject to criticism mainly on the condition of the
employing more than 50 percent women workers in the enterprises owned and run by the women.
Women entrepreneurship is the process where women organise all the factors of production,
undertake risks, and provide employment to others. The definition of women entrepreneurship has
never been differentiated based on sex and hence could be extended to women entrepreneurs without
any restrictions. Thus, a woman entrepreneur is one who starts a business and manages it
independently and tactfully, takes all the risks, faces the challenges boldly with an iron will to
succeed. Women entrepreneurship is an economic activity of those women who think of a business
enterprise, initiate it, organize, and combine the factors of production, operate the enterprise, and
undertake risks and handle economic uncertainty involved in running a business enterprise.
With the assistance of family members and the government, women can join the mainstream of the
national economy and thereby, contribute to the country’s economic progress. Women have been
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successful in breaking their confinement within the limit of their homes by entering the varied kinds
of professionals and services. Women entrepreneurs have proved to be on par with their men
counterparts in business activities and are emerging as smart and dynamic entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship
According to A.H. Cole – entrepreneurship is the purposeful activity of an individual or a group of

associated individuals. undertaken to initiate, maintain or aggrandize profit by production or
distribution of economic goods and services.
Entrepreneur
According to E.E. Hagen -an entrepreneur is an economic man who tries to maximize his profit by
innovation, involve problem solving and gets satisfaction from using his capabilities on attacking
problems.
Women Entrepreneur
Women Entrepreneur may be defined as a woman or a group of women who initiate, organize, and
run a business enterprise.
Accordingly, the Government of India has defined women entrepreneur as an enterprise owned and
controlled by a woman having a minimum financial interest of 51 per cent of the capital and giving
at least 51 per cent of the employment generated in the enterprise to the women.
EVOLUTION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
Although women form a very large proportion of the self-employed group, their work is often not
recognised as work. The prevailing household strategy catalyses the devaluation of women’s
productive activities as secondary and subordinate to men’s work. Women's contributions vary
according to the structure, needs, customs, and attitudes of society. Women entered entrepreneurial
activities because of poor economic conditions, high unemployment rates and diverse catapults. In
Babylonia, about 200 B.C., women were permitted to engage in business and to work as scribes. By
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the 14th century, in England and France, women were frequently accepted on a par with men as
carpenters, soldiers, barbers, tailors and sperrys. Dressmaking and lace making guilds completed
more with men for some jobs, but were concentrated primarily in textile mills and clothing factories.
In 1950, women made up nearly 25 per cent of both industrial and service sectors of the developing
countries. In 1980, it increased to 28 per cent and 31 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, in 1950, 53
per cent of females and 65 percent of males of industrialized countries were in non-agricultural
sectors.
As a result of the economic crises of the 1980s and the commercialisation and modernisation of the
economy, women lost employment in agriculture and industries. This pushed women in urban areas
to find a suitable solution for generating income, which resulted in the emergence of self-
employment, largely in micro businesses in the informal sector.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS:
A woman entrepreneur must perform all the functions involved in establishing an enterprise. The
scope of activities of women entrepreneurs mainly includes the following five functions:
1. Exploration of the prospects of starting a new business enterprise.
2. Undertaking of risk and the handling of economic uncertainties involved in business.
3. Introduction of innovation or imitation of innovation.
4. Coordination, administration, and control.
5. Supervision and leadership.
FEATURES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
1. Management and control:
A woman or a group of women manages the whole business of enterprise. She prepares
various plans and executes them under her own supervision and control. There may be some
person to help her but ultimate control lies with the women.
2. Employment to women:
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A women entrepreneur must provide at least 51% of the employment granted in her
enterprise to women.
3. Risk-taking:
Risk means uncertainty. It is the condition of not having the outcome of an activity. A woman
entrepreneur takes calculated risks. She faces uncertainty confidently and assumes risk. She
must tie up capital and wait for good people to take realistic risks because she wants to be a
successful entrepreneur.
4. Self-confidence:
It is essential to be self-confident for a woman entrepreneur. She should have faith in herself
and in her abilities. She should have the confidence to implement the changes and overcome
any resistance to change. A woman entrepreneur should have courage to own the mistakes
and correct them.
5. Good organiser:
The most critical skill required for individual development is the ability of building a sound
organization. A women entrepreneur assembles, coordinates, organizes and manages various
factors namely land, labour, and capital. She obtains factors of production from the society
and supplies them as finished products.
CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
● Technical skills: Writing, oral communication, monitoring environment, technical business

management and technology know-how, interpersonal, listing, ability to organize, network
building, coaching, being a team player.
● Business Management Skills: Planning and goal setting, decision making, human relations,
marketing, finance, accounting management, control, negotiation, venture launch, managing
growth.
● Personal Entrepreneurial Skills: Inner control, discipline, risk taking, innovative, change
oriented, persistent, visionary leader, ability to manage change.
FUNCTIONS OF ENTREPRENEURS:
An entrepreneur is one who carries out the whole set of activities of the business. The functions of an
entrepreneur are coordination of the business management of the enterprise, risk-taking, controlling
the enterprise, innovation for change, motivation, and other related activities. He/she must react to
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new ideas, demands, and exploit the opportunities. He/she is expected to perform the following
functions:
● Assumption of Risk: An entrepreneur assumes all possible risks of business including

possibilities of change in tastes of consumers, techniques of production and invention. An
entrepreneur tries to reduce the uncertainties by his initiative, skill, and good judgement.
● Business Decisions: The entrepreneur must decide the nature and type of goods to be
produced. He enters a business that according to his knowledge is optimally profitable. He
uses his skills and ideas to make decisions for the development of his business.
● Managerial Functions: An entrepreneur formulates plans, arranges finance, purchases raw
materials, provides production facilities, organizes sales, and assumes tasks of personal
management. In a large establishment, paid personnel do these functions.
● Function of Innovation: An entrepreneur is the one who conceives ideas for improvement in
quality and quantity of business. He continuously remains informed about innovations and
tries to apply them whenever possible.
FACTORS INFLUENCING ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH:
Economic Factors:
1. Capital: Capital is one of the factors that influence entrepreneurial growth. It is the
resource that helps to mobilize other resources like men, material and machines.
Entrepreneurship in any society increases in the capital formation.
2. Labour: Availability of cheap and skilled labour is an important factor that influences
the emergence of entrepreneurship.
3. Raw material: Availability of quality raw materials at a reasonable rate is essential for
smooth running of an enterprise. Therefore, continuous availability of raw material leads to
entrepreneurial development.
4. Market: The size and composition of the market also influence entrepreneurship
growth. The rate at which the market is expanding is the most significant market factor that
governs entrepreneurial emergence and growth.
New Economic Factors:
1. Social Factors:
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legitimacy of entrepreneurship: A system of norms and values within a socio-cultural setting for the
emergence of entrepreneurship can be referred to as a legitimacy of entrepreneurship.
Social mobility: social mobility within a social system is essential for entrepreneurship development.
Social mobility is a term which involves the degree of both social and geographical mobility.
Security: entrepreneurial security is considered as an important factor which influences

entrepreneurship.
2. Psychological Factors:
The entrepreneurs should have high aspirations and they should try to achieve them. Entrepreneurs
always look for achievement though they are risk bearing in nature. The achievement need not be in
terms of profit alone, it may be for getting satisfaction as to doing something for development.
QUALITIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS:
1)Mental ability
Mental ability consists of intelligence and creative thinking. Women entrepreneurs must be
reasonably intelligent and she should have creative thinking and must be able to engage in the
analysis of various problems and situations in order to deal with them.
2) Clear objectives:
Women entrepreneurs should have a clear objective as to the exact nature of goods to be produced
and subsidiary activities to be undertaken. A successful woman entrepreneur may also have an
objective to establish the product, to make a profit or to render social services.
3) Business secrecy:
Women entrepreneurs must be able to guard business secrets. Leakages of business secrets make
competitors a serious matter which should be carefully guarded against by an entrepreneur.
4)Human relation strategy:
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The most important personality traits contributing to the success of women entrepreneurs are
emotional ability, personal relation consideration and tactfulness.
Women entrepreneurs must maintain good relations with her customers.
5) Communication ability:
Communication ability is the ability to communicate effectively. Good communication also means
that both the sender and the receiver understand each other and are being understood.
ADVANTAGES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG WOMEN:
Empowering women is a challenge. Micro enterprises can help you meet these challenges.
Microenterprises not only enhance national productivity, generate employment but also help to
develop economic independence, personal and social capabilities among women. Following are some
of the personal and social capabilities, which were developed as result of taking up enterprise among
women:
 [] Economic empowerment
 [] Improved standard of living
 [] Self-confidence
 [] Enhance awareness
 [] Sense of achievement
 [] Increased social interaction
 [] Engaged in political activities
 [] Increased participation level in gram Sabha meeting
 [] Improvement in leadership qualities
 [] Involvement in solving problems related to women and
community [] Decision making capacity in family and
community
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Economic empowerment of women by micro entrepreneurship led to the empowerment of women in
many things such as socio-economic opportunity, property rights, political representation, social
equality, personal right, family development, market development, community development and at
last the national development.
ROLE OF WOMEN AS AN ENTREPRENEURS
Considering the flow of women entrepreneurs in the traditional industries, it is often criticised that
the women entrepreneurship is engaged only in handlooms and handicrafts and in on traditional
terms, now their aspects have broadened into new line like hotel line., xeroxing, beauty parlour
business, incense stick making, candle making etc. In the last decade, there has been a remarkable
shift in emphasis from the traditional industry to non-traditional industry and services. Based on this
concept, some important opportunities are being identified, considering the socioeconomic, cultural
and educational status and motivational level of women entrepreneurs, particularly projects with low
investment, low technical know-how and assured market are suggested for them such as production
of soaps, detergents, readymade instant food products including pickles, spices, manufacturing of
woollen goods, beauty products business, typing centre, job contracts for packaging of goods and
distribution and household provisions etc.
Creative: It refers to the creative approach or innovative ideas with a competitive market. Well
planned approach is needed to examine the existing situation and to identify entrepreneurial
opportunities.
Quality to work hard: Innovative women have further ability to work hard. The creative ideas must
come to a fair play. Hard work is required to build up an enterprise.
Determination: Women entrepreneurs must have an intention to fulfil their dreams. They must make
a dream transferred into an idea enterprise.
Ability and desire to take risk: The desire refers to the willingness to take risk and ability to the
proficiency in planning making forecast estimates and calculation.
Profit earning capacity: She has a capability to get maximum return out of increased capital.
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NEED FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Women entrepreneurs are entitled to necessary backup support of specialized and experienced
persons. The need for providing a proper environment for entrepreneurship is of vital importance.
Desirable qualities may be developed by training. To change the social and economic structure of our
country and to uplift the disadvantaged section of the society like women, greater emphasis is needed
on entrepreneurial development.
Human resources both men and women, of working age constitute the main strength of economic
development of a nation. Women form an important segment of the labour force and the economic
role played by them cannot be isolated from the framework of development. The role and degree of
integration of women in economic development is always an indicator of women's economic
independence and social status.
The words of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru-- When women move forward, family moves and the village
moves and the nation moves. Employment gives economic independence to women. Economic
independence paves the way for social status. Moreover, women have become an integral part of the
industrialized society. A woman must supplement the income of the family through whatever skill
she possesses or has acquired. The present inflationary pressures warrant women to join the male
members of the family for securing substantial livelihood.
According to Rani in 1996 entrepreneurs were ideal for women seeking participation in the country's
economic development because of certain factors. Emergence of entrepreneurship is closely linked to
social, cultural, religious, and psychological variables.
IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Women are trying their level best to quality of opportunity in various ways which are different over
the time and among societies. Women entrepreneurship enables to pool the small capital resources
and skills available with women. It paves the way for fuller utilisation of capital and mobilizes the
female human potential.
Women entrepreneurs today have their own opinion, are self-assured, able to withstand all risk and
are efficient managers. Despite dual responsibilities, many women plan their lives very skillfully and
succeed in filling these dual roles in a smooth way. The experience gained outside her home enables
her to enrich family relationships through a new outlook on tradition in a changing world. By
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continuously seeking connection with the world of science and culture, she can become a better
organizer and help to promote growth.
PROBLEMS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
The problems that present day working women face can be traced back through history to the
Neolithic times when a division of labour already existed based on sex. In those days also, men
hunted and women gathered roots and fruits. The women's capacity to give birth, a capacity that men
lacked, quite naturally gave women a prominent place in the early agricultural society. So, at this
time women and men were already doing different kinds of work, but women were not apparently
subordinates to men.
However, the problems of women entrepreneurs can be briefly discussed in the following areas:
1) Problems at work:
The major problems faced by employed women were reported to be a heavy workload, irregular
payment, and lack of guarantee of work, lack of maternity benefits, health problems and absence
from home. Quite often deferred payment was a routine feature of the working conditions of women.
Employers dodged payments on several grounds. Employers are always circumspect that if women
were paid wages daily and easily, they may not get their assured services on the subsequent day.
2)Problem at Home:
Women feel that the amount of work they must undertake in their homes is quite taxing as they must
attend to multifarious types of work. If they must seek employment besides their domestic
commitment, it would mean a tremendous burden of work on them.
Indian female workers still operate under certain limitations and hardships. One of the most common
problems faced by a woman is the dual role she must play on the domestic front and workplace.
Particularly, married women working with small children find these dual responsibilities a cause of
great mental and physical strain. For them the working hours are long, eight hours at the place of
employment and at least four hours at home.
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Usually, husbands and sometimes even in-laws do not extend any help in the household chores. If it
is a joint family the mother-in-law or the sister-in-law feel that they work for the whole day in the
house when she is in the office. Now it is her turn to work. If she is with her husband or children,
they feel that she is not sharing their work. They often criticize and abuse her.
3)Problem of Finance:
Finance is regarded as lifeblood for any enterprise, be it big or small. However, entrepreneurs suffer
from a shortage of finance on two counts. Firstly, women do not generally have property on their
name to use as collateral for obtaining funds from external sources. Thus, their access to the external
source of funds is limited. Secondly, the bank also considers women are less creditworthy and
discouraged as women borrowers on the brief that they can at any time leave their business.
4) Scarcity of Raw material:
Most of the women enterprises are planned by the scarcity of raw material and necessary inputs.
5)Socio-Economic Problems:
For the major part of the day the women are working in the office or workplace. After coming back,
she is busy with homework and her family. She has no time left to maintain relations with
neighbours, friends, and relatives. She is not able to visit them freely and spend time with them or
join them in common programs. Even she is not able to go to their help when they need it, especially
at times of illness, marriage, death, or other occasions. They feel hurt and criticize her as becoming
arrogant due to her earnings and say that she is not the only woman to work.
6)Low Risk-Bearing Ability:
A woman in India leads a protected life. They are less educated and economically not self-dependent.
All these reduce their ability to bear risk involved in running an enterprise. Risk bearing is an
essential requisite for a successful entrepreneur.
22
REMEDIES TO OVERCOME PROBLEMS:
1)Creation of finance cells:
The financial institutions and banks which provide finances to entrepreneurs must create special cells
for providing easy finance to women entrepreneurs.
2)Concessional rates of interest:
The women entrepreneurs should be provided finance at concessional rate of interest and on easy
repayment basis. The cumbersome formalities should be avoided in sanctioning the loans of women
entrepreneurs.
3)Offering Training Facilities:
Training is essential for the development of entrepreneurship. It enables the women entrepreneurs to
undertake the venture successfully as it imparts required skills to run the enterprise.
4)Institutions and Voluntary association:
Several voluntary agencies like FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), National Alliance of Youth
Entrepreneurs (NAYE) and others assist women entrepreneurs. NAYE has the leading institutions
engaged in the promotion and development of entrepreneurship among women. It assists women
entrepreneurs in:
● Getting better access to capital, infrastructure, and market
● Identifying investment opportunities
● Attending problems by taking up individual cases with appropriate authorities.
● Sponsoring participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, special conferences.
5) Setting up Marketing Cooperatives:
23
Proper encouragement and assistance should be provided to women entrepreneurs for setting up
marketing cooperatives. These cooperatives shall help in getting the input at a reasonable rate and
they are helpful in setting their products at remuneration prices.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NAVI MUMBAI:
Women in Navi Mumbai, in large number, are skilled in traditional and self-acquired crafts like
embroidery, toys and doll making, mat weaving, wall hangers and production of papad, homemade
masala, making of heena mehndi, ready to eat products, potato chips, packaging of products like
bindi packaging, pencils box packaging, mask packaging etc. Most of these units started by women
utilize raw materials which are locally available. Now women here are entering into the field of
producing sophisticated electronic items like inverters, stabilizers, televisions. Technical and
managerial personnel are hired by women entrepreneurs.
In the business field, the entry of women is relatively a new phenomenon. The enterprise setup by
them is generally a small sector. Appropriate support and encouragement from society in general and
family members is required to help these women scale new heights in their business ventures. The
principal factor in developing entrepreneurship among women is not in terms of infrastructure or
financial assistance or identifying an enterprise but it is a question of clearing the ground for them to
move into entrepreneurship.
24
CHAPTER V
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
AGE WISE CLASSIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS

Particulars No. of Respondents Percentage
20-29 2 3
30-39 40 57
40-49 23 33
Above 50 5 7
Total 70 100
Age of the respondents 7
Above 50
25
57
60
50
Percentage
40 33
30
20
10 3
0
30-39 40-49
Age
Interpretation:
From the above table it is inferred that 57% of the women entrepreneurs are aged between 30-39
years, 33% belong to the age group of 40-49 years, 7% are in the age group of above 50 years and
rest of them are 20-29 years.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS

School 24 34
College 41 58
Profession 5 8
Total 50 100
Educational Qualification
Percentage
60
40
20
0
School College Profession
Qualification
26
Interpretation:
As regards education, 58% of women entrepreneurs are graduates and it is a good sign to the
prospective entrepreneurs to enter the sector- nearly 34% have completed their education up to
school level, 8% of them having either technical or professional qualification.
MARITAL STATUS OF RESPONDENTS

Married 55 79
Unmarried 10 14
Widow 5 7
Total 70 100
Marital Status
80
70
Percentage
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Married Unmarried Widow
Marital status
Interpretation:
From the above table, it is found that 79% of sample respondents are married, and nearly 14% are
unmarried. 7% of women entrepreneurs under study are widows.
MOTIVE BEHIND STARTING BUSINESS

Status 0 0
Passion 22 31
Livelihood 48 69
Total 70 100
Motive behind starting business
27
69
70
60
50
Percentage
40 31
30
20
10 0
0
Status Passion Livelihood
Interpretation:
From the above table, more than half of the respondents (69%) start business as a livelihood.
Remaining 31% started business because of passion. It finds that nobody has started business for
status.
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE OF RESPONDENTS

Experience (in years) No. of Respondents Percentage
1-2 years 20 28
3-4 17 24
5-6 22 32
Above 6 years 11 16
Total 70 100
Entrepreneurial experience
Above 6 years
5-6 years
3-4 years
1-2 years
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Percentage
Interpretation:
28
Out of 70 respondents, 32% have 5-6 years of experience, 28% have 1-2 years of experience, 24%
have 3-4 years of experience and 16% have above 6 years of entrepreneurial experience.
RISK TAKING ABILITY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS:

Yes 61 87
No 9 13
Total 70 100
Risk taking ability
Yes
13%
No
87%
Interpretation:
From the above table, it is observed that 87% of respondents are willing to take risk in their business
and remaining 13% are not ready to take risk
DAY TO DAY MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS OF BUSINESS

Self 58 83
Paid 8 11
managers
Husband 4 6
Total 70 100
29
Day to day management
100
83
80
Percenage
60
40
20 11
0
Self Paid managers
6
Management
Husband
Interpretation:
From the above table, 83% of respondents managed their day-to-day activities by themselves, 11% of
them controlled their activities by appointing paid managers and the rest of 6% women managed
their activities by their husband.
TYPE OF CAPITAL USED FOR STARTING BUSINESS

Owned 17 24
Borrowed 26 37
Both 27 39
Total 70 100
Type of capital used
Both
Borrowed
Owned
0 10 20 30 40
Percentage
30
Interpretation:
This table reveals that 39% of sample respondents used both owned and borrowed capital for starting
a business, 37% used borrowed money, and 24% invested their own money in business.
FROM WHERE THEY BORROW MONEY

Friends & Relatives 20 28
Commercial Banks 35 50
Private money lenders 4 6
Development Bank 11 16
Total 70 100
From where they borrow money
60
Percentag
e
50
40
30 20
10
0
Friends & Commercial Private money Development
Relatives Banks lenders Bank
31
Interpretation: The table shows the details about the sources of borrowed funds, as 50% of them
depended on commercial banks, 28% of them collected required funds from their friends and
relatives, and 16% of them borrowed funds from development banks. Around 6% borrow funds from
private money lenders.
MAIN PROBLEMS FACED WHILE TAKING LOAN

Security 28 40
Convincing power 16 23
Knowledge 5 7
Others 21 30
Total 70 100
Main problem while taking loan
45
40
35
30
Percentag
25
e
20 15
10 5
0
Security Convincing power Knowledge Others
Interpretation:
32
The table reveals that 40% of women entrepreneur’s face security problems while taking loans, 30%
of them face other problems, 23% of them have an ability to convince lenders and the remaining 7%
of entrepreneurs face the problem of knowledge.
MODE OF SALE
Cash sale 22 31
Credit sale 2 3
Both 46 66
Total 70 100
Mode of sale
80
Percentage
60
40
20
0
Cash sale Credit sale Both
Interpretation:
From the above table, 31% of women entrepreneurs follow the mode of cash sale, 66% of them
follow both cash and credit sales and the remaining 3% follow the mode of credit sale option.
EDPs INCREASE THE PROSPECTS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

33
Yes 59 84
No 11 16
Total 70 100
EDPs increase the prospects of women
No
20 40 60 80 100
Yes
Percentage
Interpretation:
The table shows that 84% of respondents said the entrepreneurship development programmes for
women will increase the prospects of women entrepreneurship and the rest 11% said EDPs will
increase the prospects of women entrepreneurship.
MISBEHAVIOUR
Customers 7 10
Middlemen 21 30
Workers 6 9
Others 36 51
Total 70 100
34
Misbehaviour
60
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
0
Customers Middlemen Workers
Others
Interpretation:
This table reveals that 10% of respondents face misbehaviour from the side of customers and 30% of
respondents face misbehaviours from the side of middlemen, 9% of them misbehaviour from
workers and 51% of respondents face misbehaviour from the side of others.
FIRST GENERATION ENTREPRENEUR

Yes 53 76
No 17 24
Total 70 100
FIRST GENERATION ENTREPRENEUR
No
Yes
35
Interpretation:
It is found that 76% of respondents belong to first generation entrepreneurs, the remaining 24%
entrepreneurs have an entrepreneurial background.
TYPE OF BUSINESS HAS MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO WOMEN

Services 9 13
Trading 19 27
Manufacturing 42 60
Total 70 100
Type of business has more oppotunities for

women
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Services Trading Manufacturing
Interpretation:
The above table 60% of women entrepreneurs have more opportunities in manufacturing enterprises,
27% of them are engaged in trading and the remaining 9% of women entrepreneurs have more
opportunities in the service sector.
FACE ANY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS

Yes 63 90
No 7 10
Total 70 100
Face any financial problems Yes
36
10%
Yes
90% No
Interpretation:
This table reveals that 90% of women entrepreneurs face financial problems, the remaining 10% do
not face any financial problems.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Yes 6 9
No 64 91
Total 70 100
Family support
9 Yes
No
91
37
Interpretation:
This table shows that 91% of women entrepreneur’s face restrictions from their family and continue the
business but only 3% say, have no family restrictions in their business.
DIFFICULTIES DUE TO LACK OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Yes 64 91
No 6 9
Total 70 100
DIFFICULTIES DUE TO LACK OF
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
No
Yes
Interpretation:
From the above table 91% of respondents face difficulties due to lack of technical knowledge and the rest
9% of them do not face any difficulties.
OPINION ABOUT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS GUIDANCE CELL

Excellent 6 9
Very good 26 37
Good 35 50
Average 3 4
Total 70 100
32
Women Entrepreneurs Guidance Cell
50
40
Percentage
30
20
10
0
Excellent Very good Good Average
Interpretation:
This table shows that 50% of respondents said that women entrepreneurs’ guidance cell is good, 37%
said very good and 9% said that it is excellent and remaining 3% said the women entrepreneur
guidance cell is average.
CHAPTER VI
39
FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS & CONCLUSION
● Majority of the respondents are between the age group of 30-39

● It is found that most of the women entrepreneurs who are graduates were dominating than
others.
● Majority of respondents are married at the time of starting business.
● Most of the women entrepreneurs start business as a livelihood.
● Majority of respondents have 5-6 years of entrepreneurial experience.
● Women entrepreneurs are willing to take risks in their business.
● The study shows most of the respondents started their business with an investment of owned and
borrowed capital.
● Majority of respondents borrow funds from commercial banks.
● Most of the women entrepreneur’s face security problems while taking loans.
● Majority of respondents follow both a cash and credit sale system.
● From the study we can understand that entrepreneurship development programmes will increase
the prospects of women entrepreneurship
● Most of the respondents belong to first generation entrepreneurs.
● Most of the respondent’s face misbehaviour from the side of others as a woman.
● It is found that women entrepreneurs have more opportunities in manufacturing enterprises.
● Most of the respondents face financial problems.
● Majority of respondents face restrictions from their family to run and continue business.
● Women entrepreneurs are unaware about various programmes organized by the government.
● The study shows the majority of respondents face difficulties due to lack of technical
knowledge.
● Majority of respondents say that “Women Entrepreneurs Guidance Cell” is good.
SUGGESTIONS:
40
● Conduct more awareness programmes regarding women entrepreneurship
● Government and financial institutions should provide financial assistance and incentives for
encouraging women entrepreneurship
● Give proper training to women entrepreneurs for smooth running of business
● More governmental schemes will establish to motivate women entrepreneurs to engage small
and large business
● A women entrepreneurs guidance cell set up in all states to handle the various problems of
women entrepreneurs
● Give more facility support to women entrepreneurs for their entrepreneurial success.
41
CONCLUSION:
Women’s play a vital role in the growth and development of the economy of the nation. They attain
success in the entrepreneurial world by facing a lot of problems. But their aim is to reach the peak of
success. Women constitute almost half of the total population. Women are not enjoying their
freedom, equalities, privileges, on par with their male counterparts. Since implementation of several
policies and approaches were made to reduce inequalities between women and men. Women
entrepreneurs are those women who think of a business enterprise, undertake risk, and handle
economic uncertainties involved in running a business.
The result reveals that most of the women entrepreneurs are facing financial constraints, security
problems and inadequate institutional support, unawareness of women entrepreneurship, lack of
family support. These problems or constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in the Navi Mumbai
area to carry out their entrepreneurial activity in an efficient and effective manner. The basic
requirement in the development of women entrepreneurship is to make women aware of their
existence, her unique identity, and her contribution towards economic development. The established
and successful women entrepreneurs can act as an advisor, mentor, guide for the upcoming and youth
entrepreneurs.
Women have the potential and will to establish, manage and run the enterprise on their own. But they
need encouragement and support from their families and governments. Women entrepreneurs are the
dynamic element and an important component in the process of economic development. But still they
are overburdened with challenges. Hence, it is necessary for a society and government to find
remedies for the challenges of women entrepreneurs. Economically empowered women are also a
major catalyst for economic development. There is a great recognition of the positive relationship
between increased economic activity by women and improved social income. Entrepreneurial
activities are the greatest source of economic development of every nation so improving the status of
women is the greatest trend for the society.
42
CHAPTER VII
REFERENCES
Books and Authors
1. Dr C.B. Gupta, Dr N.P. Srinivasan- Entrepreneurial Development, S. Chand Publication.
2. Chandra S- Women and Economic Development, B.R. Publishing.
3. Chattopadhyay, Arundhati, Women and Entrepreneurship, Yojana, January, 2005, Pg.
Journals:
1.Goyal. M. & Prakash, Women Entrepreneurship in India – Problems & Prospects, International
Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol-1, Issue-5, PP.
2. Srinivasan. M. V (1998) Women workers in unorganized sector, women’s link October,

December, pp.9-10
Links:
https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/women/women-entrepreneurship/womenentrepreneurship/
99813#:~:text=Women%20Entrepreneurship%20%E2%80%93%20Definitions,Women
%20entrepreneurs%20may%20be%20defined%20as%20a%20woman%20or%20a,or%20ad opt
%20a%20business%20activity%E2%80%9D.
http://www.ibef.org/blogs/women-entrepreneurs-shaping-the-future-of-india
https://www.ilo.org/empent/areas/womens-entrepreneurship-development-wed/lang--en/index.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342094983_A_study_on_Women_Entrepreneurship_in_In
dia
http://www.raijmr.com/ijrsml/wpcontent/uploads/2017/12/IJRSML_2017_vol05_issue_10_Eng_08.p
df
43
44
CHAPTER VIII
ANNEXURE-I
QUESTIONAIRE
1.NAME
2. AGE
 20-29
 30-39
 40-49
 Above
3. Educational Qualification
 School
 College
 Professional
4. Marital Status
 Married
 Unmarried
 Widow
5.Motive Behind Starting a Business

 Status
 Passion
 Livelihood
6.Entrepreneurial experiences (In years)?

 1-2
 3-4
 5-6
 Above6
45
7.Are you ready to take risk in your business?
 Yes
 No
8.Who takes day to day managerial functions?

 Self
 Paid Managers
 Husband
9.Type of Capital used for starting a Business?

 Owned
 Borrowed
 Both
10. Where do you borrow money from?

 Relatives
 Commercial Banks
 Private Money Lenders
 Development Banks
11. What are the main problems faced by taking out a Loan?
 Lack of proper Securities
 Lack of Convincing Power
 Lack of Proper Knowledge
 Others
12. Which is your mode of Sale?

 Cash sale
 Credit Sale
 Both
13. Do you think – Entrepreneurship development programme for women will increase the prospect
of Women Entrepreneurship or not?
 Yes
46
 No
14. Which type of Business Enterprises has more opportunities for women entrepreneurs?
 Service
 Trading
 Manufacturing
15. Have you got support from your Family?

 Yes
 No
16. Do you face any misbehaviour from the side of others as a woman?
 Yes
 No
47

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A SOCIAL RELEVANCE PROJECT REPORT ON

“A STUDY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH SPECIAL

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

PILLAI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES AND RESEARCH,

This is to certify that project titled “A STUDY ON WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WITH

Name of Guide: Dr. Celina Joy

4. CHAPTER NO.04 14-27

Creating conductive ecosystems for entrepreneurship is imperative to catapult economies to a higher

Women-owned businesses in India are undercapitalized and continue to be concentrated in small,

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:

An entrepreneur is an important constituent of the development process and an integral part of

“A detailed study on Women Entrepreneurship in Rural area with special

1.5 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:

b) To analyse the performance of women entrepreneurs and problems faced by them

c) To give suitable suggestions for development of women entrepreneurship based on findings.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY:

3) V. Krishnamurthy and R. Balasubramanian (April 2014) identified the important women

3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN:

3.1.1 TYPE OF RESEARCH

3.1.2 RESEARCH METHOD

3.2 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

3.2.1 SAMPLING PROCEDURE:

3.2.2 Sampling Unit:

The women entrepreneurs in Navi Mumbai are selected as a sampling unit.

3.2.3 Sampling Size:

According to A.H. Cole – entrepreneurship is the purposeful activity of an individual or a group of

EVOLUTION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS:

1. Exploration of the prospects of starting a new business enterprise.

2. Undertaking of risk and the handling of economic uncertainties involved in business.

3. Introduction of innovation or imitation of innovation.

4. Coordination, administration, and control.

5. Supervision and leadership.

FEATURES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP:

1. Management and control:

CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

● Technical skills: Writing, oral communication, monitoring environment, technical business

● Assumption of Risk: An entrepreneur assumes all possible risks of business including

FACTORS INFLUENCING ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH:

New Economic Factors:

Security: entrepreneurial security is considered as an important factor which influences

QUALITIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS:

4)Human relation strategy:

Women entrepreneurs must maintain good relations with her customers.

ADVANTAGES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG WOMEN:

ROLE OF WOMEN AS AN ENTREPRENEURS

IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PROBLEMS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

4) Scarcity of Raw material:

6)Low Risk-Bearing Ability:

1)Creation of finance cells:

2)Concessional rates of interest:

3)Offering Training Facilities:

4)Institutions and Voluntary association:

● Getting better access to capital, infrastructure, and market

● Identifying investment opportunities

● Attending problems by taking up individual cases with appropriate authorities.

● Sponsoring participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, special conferences.

5) Setting up Marketing Cooperatives:

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN NAVI MUMBAI:

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

AGE WISE CLASSIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS