Analyzing the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women entrepreneurs: A study of rural Jamshoro, Pakistan

Chethan and Ramesh L
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Chethan: Department of Commerce,Government First Grade College, Holalkere, Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India.
Ramesh L: Department of Commerce,Government First Grade College, Holalkere, Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India.

Indian Journal of Commerce and Management Studies, 2020, vol. 11, issue 3, 23-29

Abstract: Purpose: The outcomes of women’s access to entrepreneurial resources and opportunities can be very different from those of men. This study aimed to analyze the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamshoro, Pakistan, which includes policy, finance, institutions, human capital, culture, and markets through a gender lens, assess women entrepreneurs’ access to it, and examine the effectiveness of its elements. Methodology: The study adopts qualitative research methodology. Data were drawn from desk research, 30 in-depth, semi-structured interviews and one focus group discussion with 10 women entrepreneurs in rural Jamshoro, Pakistan. The data were analyzed using Atlas.ti software and coding was done using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings show that women entrepreneurs have partial access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamshoro. Furthermore, there is lack of awareness and knowledge among women entrepreneurs about available financial resources, lack of knowledge about laws and policies, an absence of familial, cultural, and societal support for women in accessing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the absence of quality business training and unavailability of physical and technological infrastructure in rural areas, presence of stereotypical attitude toward women entrepreneurs, and limited access to markets and business networks. Implications: The existing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Jamshoro can be improved through coordinated multi-stakeholder initiatives, adopting a gender-inclusive approach, interventions aimed at increasing awareness about the resources, promoting an understanding about the laws and regulations, making institutions more effective in providing services, establishing public-private partnerships, and providing the women entrepreneurs easy access to market and financial resources. Originality: While there have been studies on challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Pakistan, their motivation and aspirations, there is no study conducted on their access to the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial ecosystem; entrepreneurship ecosystem; entrepreneurship; women entrepreneurs Pakistan; women entrepreneurs. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aii:ijcmss:v:11:y:2020:i:3:p:23-29

DOI: 10.18843/ijcms/v11i3/03

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