As part of your dissertation process you are required to formally discuss a topic with your

supervisor, so that you can effectively progress onto the next stage of your research. Please note
that once you have discussed and agreed your topic with your supervisor, you may still make small
adjustments to reflect, for example, a sharper focus or a specific context.

Applicant
First Name:
Last Name:

DMU Email Address: Student no.

Programme of study: International Business & …………………………….

Supervisor may be assigned after submission of this form.
The research

Indicative Title:

Start-Up Experiences of Transgender Entrepreneurs in Kerala, India: A Qualitative

Investigation
Background Of Study Topic & Interest (300 words)
In the contemporary entrepreneurial landscape, the experiences of transgender entrepreneurs
remain relatively unresearched territory (Darden et al., 2022; Chandra and Kerlin, 2021)
particularly in the context of Kerala, India. The endeavour to comprehend the intricacies
surrounding the start-up journeys of transgender individuals is not merely an academic pursuit
but a conscientious effort to address a critical gap in the existing literature. Despite the
increasing recognition of entrepreneurship as a catalyst for economic growth, the unique
challenges faced by transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala have been overlooked.
Kerala, known for its progressive socio-cultural fabric, is not exempt from the challenges
faced by transgender individuals (Chakkunni and Raj, 2020). The start-up ecosystem,
traditionally a dynamic space fostering innovation and economic empowerment, has yet to be
thoroughly examined through the lens of transgender entrepreneurs. This research seeks to
bridge this gap by delving into the following aims and objectives.

This research endeavours to unravel the complexities surrounding the start-up experiences of
transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala, India. Delving into the socio-economic landscape, the
study seeks to uncover the factors shaping their entrepreneurial journey. It further aims to
assess the impact of government policies, discerning their role as catalysts or impediments in
the entrepreneurial endeavours of transgender individuals. Additionally, the research strives to
pinpoint elements crucial for fostering inclusivity within the business environment in Kerala.
By amalgamating these objectives, the study aims to contribute nuanced insights, potentially
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 influencing policy enhancements and fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for
transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala.

Indicative aims and objectives (No more than 3 objectives and/or questions):

1. To explore the socio-economic factors influencing the start-up experience of transgender

entrepreneurs in Kerala.
2. To understand the role of government policies and regulations in facilitating or hindering
the start-up experience of transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala.
3. To identify factors for fostering an inclusive business environment for trans persons in
Kerala.

Summary of the literature/ rationale for the study (about 300-400 words):

Through this study, I seek to gain a comprehensive understanding of the start-up experiences
of transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala, with a specific focus on unravelling the struggles and
experiences they encounter during the initial stages of launching their businesses. Examining
transgender entrepreneurship, Harsha Aniyan's (2022) research illuminates the hurdles of
discrimination, societal resistance, and workplace violence. Exposing a lack of societal
acceptance, the study discloses uneven treatment and social marginalization, influencing
employment choices toward entrepreneurship. Despite advancements in gender equality,
educational limitations persist, obstructing entrepreneurial aspirations. Aniyan's findings
emphasize the pressing need for collective action, promoting increased employment and
entrepreneurship to uplift transgender individuals facing discrimination and violence, offering
vital insights into their intricate entrepreneurial environment.

When analysing the start-up experiences of transgender people in India, it is critical to acquire
insight into the socioeconomic aspects that influence their entry into entrepreneurial ventures.
Existing research on the socio-economic factors influencing entrepreneurs in Kerala has
insufficiently addressed the experiences of those beyond the gender binary, notably
transgender entrepreneurs. Instead, prior studies have predominantly focused on cisgender
individuals (Joseph, 2003), leaving a gap in understanding key socio-economic determinants,
such as access to inclusive funding and networking opportunities. This study aims to fill this
gap, offering deeper insights into the socio-economic factors that specifically impact
transgender entrepreneurs during the initial stages of their entrepreneurship journey.

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 Kerala, ranking second in India for providing financial support to entrepreneurs (Government
of India, 2022), prompts an essential inquiry into the accessibility of state government aid for
transgender entrepreneurs during the initial start-up stage. Given the marginalization faced by
transgender entrepreneurs due to societal gender stereotypes (Chakkunni and Raj, 2020),
understanding the effectiveness of government policies becomes critical. In investigating
transgender entrepreneurship in Kerala, our study diverges from prior research, particularly
Chakkunni and Raj's (2022) examination of challenges within the Thrissur district. Their
findings underscore persistent obstacles beyond the initial phase, emphasizing the importance
of genuine actions, like income-generating activities, for empowering transgender individuals.
This regional limitation highlights a crucial gap, urging a more expansive investigation to
capture diverse experiences across Kerala.

The Gender Integrative Theory of Entrepreneurship (Clark and Özkazanç-Pan, 2014) rooted in
feminist perspectives, offers a valuable framework for understanding the experiences of
transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala. Unlike traditional approaches, this theory emphasizes
institutional and structural barriers faced by entrepreneurs, considering unique challenges
influenced by societal and cultural gender norms. Applying this framework allows for a
comprehensive exploration of Kerala's entrepreneurial ecosystem, shedding light on
previously under-theorized factors.

Indicative data Collection methods (about 300-400 words) - Methodology

Research Design
The qualitative research design (Maxwell, 2012) will be employed to directly collect
pertinent information from internal sources, contributing to the comprehensive completion of
the study. The primary advantage of employing a qualitative research design is its capacity to
provide an in-depth understanding of the research topic through direct engagement with
participants, capturing their perspectives and experiences (Qu and Dumay, 2011).

This study employs an interpretivist research paradigm with a subjectivist ontology and
relativist epistemology (Denzin and Lincon, 1995). The subjectivist ontology recognizes that
reality is socially constructed (Berger and Luckmann, 2023). Aligning with this ontology this
study views the experiences of transgender entrepreneurs in Kerala as subjective and socially
constructive.

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 Employing an inductive research approach, this study seeks to derive theory directly from the
gathered data. The inductive method provides a systematic and user-friendly set of procedures
for analyzing qualitative data, ensuring the generation of reliable and valid findings (Thomas,
2006). Utilizing the inductive research approach is instrumental in effectively accomplishing
the study's objectives.

Research Method and Strategy

This study will be conducted using a primary qualitative data-collecting method. The primary
qualitative data collection approach not only promotes real-time data acquisition but also
facilitates theory development, enhances understanding of the research topic, and enables
direct engagement with participants (Collingridge and Gantt, 2019). To gather data, a semi-
structured interview method will be used. A semi-structured interview schedule will be
employed as the tool.
The sampling strategy will combine snowball and purposive methods (Noy, 2008) to select
participants meeting specific inclusion criteria.

A sample of 15-20 participants will be included. Data collection will be conducted securely
online via Microsoft Teams, ensuring confidentiality and accessibility. Interviews will be
conducted in Malayalam, Kerala's native language, and later transcribed and translated into
English for analysis. Thematic analysis will be the chosen method for data analysis, involving
coding and identification of emerging themes to address the study's aims and objectives
(Thomas and Harding, 2008).

A Worktribe ethics application will be required to ensure ethics approval is obtained prior to
undertaking interviews and collecting data. DMU Code of Ethics (2022) will be followed
throughout the research.

References (Between 5 and 10 can be more) – Harvard Cite Them Right

1. Aniyan, H. (2022) ‘Opportunities and obstacles in transgender entrepreneurship’, A

Project Report [Preprint].
2. Avanesh, N.M. and Zachariah, M. (2023) ‘Bracing up for financial inclusivity: The
CABDOST way’, Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, 13 (1). Available at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EEMCS-10-2021-0328/full/

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 html(Accessed: 5 January 2024).
3. Berger, P. and Luckmann, T., 2023. The social construction of reality. In Social theory
re-wired (pp. 92-101). Routledge.

4. Chakkunny, T. J. and Raj, S. T. (2020) ‘Problems and possibilities of transgender

entrepreneurship in Kerala’, GEDRAG & Organisatie Review, 33 (03).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344584243_PROBLEMS_AND_POSSIBILITI
ES_OF_TRANSGENDER_ENTREPRENEURSHIP_IN_KERALA
5. Chandra, Y. and Kerlin, J.A., 2021. Social entrepreneurship in context: pathways for
new contributions in the field. Journal of Asian Public Policy, 14(2), pp.135-151.

6. Clark M, S. and Özkazanç-Pan, B., 2014. A gender integrative theory of

entrepreneurship. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2014, No. 1, p.
15508). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
7. Collingridge, D.S. and Gantt, E.E. (2019) ‘The quality of qualitative research’,
American Journal of Medical Quality, 34 (5), pp. 439-445. Available at:
https://journals.lww.com/ajmqonline/abstract/2019/09000/the_quality_of_qualitative_re
search_.4.aspx (Accessed: 05 January 2024).
8. Darden, B.B., Kellermanns, F.W. and Best, E.L., 2022. Entrepreneurial fear of failure:
Transgender versus cis-gender entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Venturing
Insights, 18, p.e00332.

9. Government of India. (2022) Decoding government support to women entrepreneurs in

India - NITI aayog. Available at:
https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-03/Decoding-Government-Support-to-
Women-Entrepreneurs-in-India.pdf (Accessed: 06 January 2024).
10. Joseph, S. (2003) Entrepreneurs of Kerala: A study on the socio-psychological
background of the entrepreneur-managers of small-scale industrial units in Ernakulam
district, Kerala. New Delhi: Northern Book Centre.
11. Maxwell, J.A., 2012. Qualitative research design: An interactive approach. Sage
publications.

12. Qu, S.Q. and Dumay, J. (2011) ‘The qualitative research interview’, Qualitative
Research in Accounting & Management, 8 (3), pp. 238-264. Available at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/11766091111162070/full/html
(Accessed: 07 January 2024).
13. Thomas, D.R. (2006) ‘A general inductive approach for analyzing qualitative evaluation
data’, American Journal of Evaluation. Available at:

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 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1098214005283748 (Accessed: 06
January 2024).

This form will be submitted to the Topic Proposal Form Turnitin Link as an initial record only.
You should also share via email with your allocated supervisor and discuss as per the
supervisor process.

Form should be signed (electronically via email by both researcher and supervisor once both
have agreed topic proposal. The signed version does not need to be uploaded but both should
keep a copy.

Supervisor Signature Student Signature

Name: Name:
Date: Date:

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