Soft Copyy of Project

A PROJECT REPORT ON

“WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN

DEVELOPING INDIA”

SUBMITTED BY

CHOUDHAR Y VARSHA SOHANLAL

T.Y.B.M.S. [Semester V]

PADMASHRI ANNASAHEB JADHAV

BHARTIYA SAMAJ UNNATI MANDAL’S

B.N.N COLLEGE

DHAMANKAR NAKA, BHIWANDI, 421302

SUBMITTED TO

UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

ACADEMIC YEAR

2013 - 2014

PROJECT GUIDE

PROF. SHAFI ANSARI

PROJECT REPORT ON

“WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN

DEVELOPING INDIA”

SUBMITTED BYCHOUDHARY VARSHA SOHANLAL

T.Y.B.M.S. [Semester V]

PADMASHRI ANNASAHEB JADHAV

BHARTIYA SAMAJ UNNATI MANDAL’S

B.N.N COLLEGE

DHAMANKAR NAKA, BHIWANDI, 421302

SUBMITTED TO

UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

ACADEMIC YEAR

2013 – 2014

NAME OF PROJECT GUIDE

PROF. SHAFI ANSARI

DATE OF SUBMISSION

25th OCTOBER 2013

DECLARATION

I CHOUDHARY VARSHA SOHANLAL of PADMASHRI ANNASAHEB JADHAV’S B.N.N

COLLEGE of TYBMS [Semester V] hereby declare that I have compiled this project on “WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DEVELOPING INDIA” in the academic year 2013-2014. The information submitted is

true and original to the best of my knowledge.

Signature of the Student

CHOUDHARY VARSHA SOHANLAL

CERTIFICATE

I, PROF. SHAFI ANSARI hereby certify that CHOUDHARY VARSHA SOHANLAL of PADMASHRI

ANNASAHEB JADHAV ’S B.N.N COLLEGE of TYBMS [Semester V] has completed project on

“WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DEVELOPING INDIA” in the academic year 2013-2014. The

information submitted is true and original to the best of my knowledge.

U. D. KADAM Dr. SUVARNA RAWAL Prof. SHAFI ANSARI

(Principal) (Coordinator) (Project Guide)

External Examiner

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am indebted to my project guide PROF. SHAFI ANSARI for helping me out in the successful

completion of my Project Report on, “WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DEVELOPING INDIA”.

I am thankful to my other teachers for providing me the information as and when required. I am

extremely thankful to my family members for their constant support.

Last, but not the least, are my friends who discussed with me the various issues in my project. Finally,

I want to thank one and all who helped me directly or indirectly through the project work.

Signature of the Student

CHOUDHARY VARSHA SOHANLAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In India, entrepreneurship among women is of recent origin. Socio-economic background is an

important factor that influences the women to start their business. Money is not the sole objective among

women entrepreneurs to enter into the business. The studies relating to women entrepreneurs in rural areas

further reveal that training and awareness regarding women entrepreneurs in building confidence. Since

entrepreneurship development involves provision of additional channels of funds in the form of working

capital and credit, training, management skills etc. the intervention aims at not only raising the income of

rural women of poor households, but also enabling organized participation of groups in the programmer of

credit, skill training and infrastructure support for self-employment in groups who cannot take up economic

activities, individually as their own.

In this dynamic world women entrepreneurs are significant part of the global expedition for sustained

economic development and social progress. Due to the growth of industrialization, urbanization, social

legislation and along with the spread of higher education, awareness, the emergence of women owned

business are increasing in the economies of almost all countries.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sr. No. Title Page No.

1. Introduction. 1 - 65

2. Literature of Review. 66 - 72

3. Research Method. 73 - 81

4. Data Analysis & Interpretations. 82 - 93

5. Conclusion & Suggestion 94 - 97

6. References. 98

7. Appendix. 99 - 103

1. Introduction

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 move toward democratic system, and Monarchies build new civil institutions. These changes have created economic opportunities for women who want to own and operate businesses. Today, women entrepreneurs represent a group of women who have broken away from the beaten track and are exploring new avenues of economic participation. Among the reasons for women to run organized enterprises are their skill and knowledge, their talents, abilities and creativity in business and a compelling desire of wanting to do something positive. It is high time that countries should rise to the challenge and create more support systems for encouraging more entrepreneurship amongst women. At the same time, it is up to women to break away from stereotyped mind-sets.

In this dynamic world, women entrepreneurs are a significant part of the global expedition for sustained economic development and social progress. Due to the growing industrialization, urbanization, social legislation and along with the spread of higher education and awareness, the emergence of Women owned businesses are highly increasing in the economies of almost all countries.

In former days, for Women there were 3 Ks- Kitchen, Kids, Knitting, then came 3 Ps- Powder,Pappad, Pickles and now at present there are 4 Es- Electricity, Electronics, Energy, Engineering . Indian women had undergone a long way and are becoming increasingly visible and successful in all spheres and have shifted from kitchen to higher level of professional activities.

Today’s women are taking more and more professional and technical degrees to cope up with market need and are flourishing as de signers, interior decorators, exporters, publishers, garment manufacturers and still exploring new avenues of economic participation. It is perhaps for these reasons that Government Bodies, NGO’s, Social Scientists, Researchers ‘and International Agencies have started showing interest in the issues related to entrepreneurship among women in India.

Women entrepreneur’s explore the prospects of starting a new enterprise; undertake risks, introduction of new innovations, coordinate administration & control of business & providing effective leadership in all aspects of business and have proved their footage in the male dominated business arena.

This report focuses on the concept of woman entrepreneurs in India; their traits in business, the problems faced by them when they set up and make some suggestions for future prospects for development of Women Entrepreneurs.

History of ‘Entrepreneur’:The word Entrepreneur is derived from the French word “Entrepreneur”. It means “to

undertake”. Thus entrepreneur is a person who undertakes the risk of new enterprise. In the early 16th century, the Frenchmen who organized and led military expeditions were referred to as “Entrepreneurs”.

Around 1700 A.D Thomas C. Cochran expanded the scope and applied the term to civil engineering activities, such as constructions, architecture and works. Bernard Belidor applied it to the functions of buying labour and material at uncertain prices and selling the restaurant product at a contracted price. Quesnay regarded the rich farmer as an entrepreneur who manages and makes his business profitable by his intelligence, skill and wealth.

In the 18th century, Richard Cantillon an Irishman living in France, was the first person to use the term ‘entrepreneur’ to economic activities. He defined entrepreneur as a person who buys a factor services at certain prices. With a view to sell its product at uncertain prices in the future. He conceived of an entrepreneur as a bearer of non-insurable risk. According to him, entrepreneurs carry on production and exchange of goods at some risk, facing the possibility of bankruptcy, when the demand for their products is depressed. He distinguished between the owner and an entrepreneur. Writers in the 17thand 18th centuries were of the opinion that the essential characteristic of an entrepreneur was to take risks and creates innovations.

Entrepreneurship has gained currency across the sphere and female- entrepreneurship has become an important module. India is one of the fastest emerging economies and the importance of entrepreneurship is realized across the gamut.

“Women Entrepreneurship” means an act of business ownership and business creation that empowers women economically increases their economic strength as well as position in society. Women-entrepreneurs have been making a considerable impact in all most all the segments of the economy.

“Women Entrepreneur” is a person who denies the role of their personal needs to participate and be accepted economically independent. Strong desire to do something positive is a high-quality women entrepreneur who contributes to the position values of family and social life.

Many women have these traits but they never got a platform to showcase their talents and forthis reason they don't know their real abilities. Matching the basic qualities required for entrepreneurs and the basic characters of Indian women reveal that, much potential is available among the Indian women on their

entrepreneurial ability. This potential is to be documented, brought out and exposed for utilization in productive and service sectors for the progress of the nation.

“An enterprise owned and controlled by a women having a minimum financial interest of 51% of capital and giving at least 51% of the employment generated by the enterprise to women.” - Government of India

According to Kamala Singh," A women entrepreneur is a confident, innovative and creative woman capable of achieving economic independence individually or in collaboration generates employment opportunities for others through initiating establishing and running an enterprise by keeping pace with her personal, family and social life.

According to Medha Dubhanshi Vinze,” a women entrepreneur is a person who is anenterprising individual with an eye for opportunities and an uncanny vision, Commercial acumen, with tremendous perseverance and above all a person who is willing to take risk with the unknown because of the adventures spirit she possesses.”

In the words of Former President APJ Abdul Kalam "Empowering women is a prerequisite for creating a good nation, when women are empowered, society with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as their thoughts and their value systems lead to the development of a good family, good society and ultimately a good nation."

Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru has remarked “When women move forward, the family moves, the village moves and the Nation moves.”

Women Entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all segments of economy of of the world. Their willingness for the future is apparent in their growing confidence, in their strengths and in their desire to seek different forms of work in order to achieve a new balance between work and home. Thus a women entrepreneur is one who starts business and manages it independently and tactfully takes all the risks, accepts challenging role to meet her personal needs and become economically independent. A strong desire to do something positive is an inbuilt quality of entrepreneurial women, who is capable contributing values in both family and social life and is one who faces the challenges boldly with an iron, will to succeed.

Concept of ‘Entrepreneur’:

Majority of people are reluctant to undertake risk and uncertainty involved in organizing the factors of production. Only some people are able and willing to bear risk and uncertainty. These people are not mere dreamers. They are doers as well. They create wealth and employment. They work hard to achieve success. They have a high need of achievement. They are entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur is a person who undertakes the risk of new enterprise. Entrepreneur is one who recognizes and seizes opportunities; convert these opportunities into marketable ideas; add value through time, effort, money, or skills assumes the risk to implement these ideas and realize the rewards from these efforts. Entrepreneur is a person who organizes and manages a business undertaking and assumes the risk involve in it for the sake of profit. An entrepreneur is highly achievement oriented and motivated.

Definitions of an ‘Entrepreneur’:

Oxford Dictionary:

“An entrepreneur is one who undertakes an enterprise, especially a contractor-

acting as intermediary between capital and labour.”

Adam Smith:

“Entrepreneur is a person who only provides capital without taking active part

in the leading role in enterprise.”

Peter Drucker:

“An entrepreneur is one who always searches for change, responds to it and

exploits it as an opportunity.”

International Labor Organization:

“Entrepreneurs are people who have the ability to see and evaluate business

opportunities, bring together the necessary resources to take advantage of them; and to

initiate appropriate action to ensure success.”

Entrepreneurs V/S Entrepreneurship:

Entrepreneur.Is a person.Is an organizer. Is a risk taker.Is an innovator.Is a good Planner.Is a leader.Is a decision-Maker.Is a vizualizer.Is an administrator.Is an initiator.

Entrepreneurship.Is a process.organize form of initiative.Is risk-making activity.Is the process of innovation .planning for performance.Is the crux of leadership.Is the decision-making activity.Is the vision.Is the administrtion.Is taking an initiative.

Characteristics of ‘Entrepreneur’:

i. Need to Achieve:

Entrepreneurs have got strong desire to achieve higher goals. Their inner self

motivates their behaviour towards high achievement. Most of the people dream of success but do not take

any action in achieving these dreams. For entrepreneurs winning is achievement.

ii. Independence:

Most of the entrepreneurs start on their own because they dislikes to work for others. They prefer to be their own boss and want to be responsible for their own decision.

iii. Risk Bearing:

Entrepreneurs are the persons who take decisions under uncertainty and thus

they are willing to take risk, but they never gamble with the results.

iv. Flexibility:

Most of the successful entrepreneurs measure the pros and cons of a decision

and tend to change if the situation demands. They never feel reluctant to revise their decisions. They are the

person with open mind without rigidity.

v. Self Confidence:

Entrepreneurs must have self-confidence to accomplish the task effectively and efficiently. They must take decision on their own in uncertain and risky situation and should stick to it confidently even if there are occurs initial setback.

vi. Decision Making:

Decision making skills implies the function of choosing a particular course of action out of several alternative courses, for the purpose of achieving specified goals.

vii. Technical Knowledge:

An entrepreneur must have a reasonable level of technical knowledge. Technical knowledge is an ability that most people are able to acquire if they try hard enough.

Qualities of ‘Entrepreneur’:

Entrepreneurs have an ability to find and explore opportunity.

Successful entrepreneurs are highly optimistic. They are not disturbed by the present problems

faced by them.

Successful Entrepreneurs are goal oriented.

Successful entrepreneur generally has strong leadership qualities.

The entrepreneurs should have a good foresight to know about the future business

environment.

In the course of his career an entrepreneur, will be required in many situations to influence

people and make them think in his way and act accordingly. He motivates people to act.

Types of ‘Entrepreneurs’:

There are various types of Entrepreneurs which can be classified under different heads, they

are as follows:

A. As Per Types Of Business:

As per types of Business Entrepreneurs can be classified as follows:

1. Business Entrepreneur:

He is an individual who discover an idea to start business and then builds a business to give birth to his idea. Business entrepreneurs are individuals and they are also called sole operators, who essentially work alone. They are called small business entrepreneurs when found in small business unit such as printing press, textile processing house, advertising agency, readymade garments. In majority of cases these entrepreneurs are found in small trading and manufacturing business and entrepreneurship flourishes when the size of business is small.

2. Trading Entrepreneurs:

He is an entrepreneur who undertakes trading activity i.e. buying and selling manufactured goods. He does not undertake manufacturing activity. He identifies potential markets, stimulates demand for his product line and creates a desire and interest among buyers to go for his product.

3. Industrial Entrepreneurs:

He is an entrepreneur who undertakes manufacturing activities. Industrial entrepreneur is essentially a manufacturer who identifies the potential needs for customers and tailors the product or service to meet the marketing needs. He is a product oriented person who starts an industrial unit for making some new product.

4. Corporate Entrepreneurs:

He is a person who demonstrates his innovative skill in organizing and managing a corporate undertaking. A corporate undertaking is a form of business organization which is registered under some statute which gives it a separate legal entity.

5. Agricultural Entrepreneurs:

Agricultural entrepreneurs are those entrepreneurs who undertake agricultural activities such as rising and marketing of crops, fertilizers and other input s of agriculture. They are called agripreneurs.

6. Retail Entrepreneurs:

Like trading entrepreneurs they do not undertake manufacturing activities. Trading entrepreneur deals in wholesale market while retail entrepreneurs serve the individual and organisational customer. They get their commission.

7. Service Entrepreneurs:

These entrepreneurs deal involve in service sector activities and provide service to the customers like repairs and maintenance, engineering workshop, beauty parlours, mechanic shop etc. this type of enterprise needs skills and vocational training for its success.

B. On the basis of Use of Technology:

On the basis of use of Technology an Entrepreneur can be classified as follows:

1. Technical Entrepreneurs:Technical entrepreneurs are extremely task oriented. They are of craftsmen

type. He develops improved quality of goods because of his craftsmanship. He concentrates more on production then on marketing. 2. Non-technical Entrepreneurs:

Non-technical entrepreneurs are those who are not concerned with the technical aspects of the product in which they deal. They are concerned with developing alternative marketing distribution strategies to promote their business. Thus they concentrate more on marketing aspects.

3. Professional Entrepreneurs:Professional entrepreneur is a person who is interested in establishing a

business but does not have interest in managing or operating it once it is established. A professional sells out the running business and starts another venture with the sales proceeds. Such an entrepreneur is dynamic and he conceives new ideas to develop alternative project.

C. On the basis of Motivation:

On the basis of Motivation an Entrepreneurs can be as follows:

1. Pure Entrepreneur:A pure entrepreneur is an individual who is motivated by psychological and

economic reward. He undertakes an entrepreneurial activity for his personal satisfaction in work, ego or status. For example Dhirubhai Ambani of Reliance group. 2. Induced Entrepreneurs:

Induced entrepreneur is one who is induce to take up an entrepreneurial task due to policy measures of the government that provide assistance, incentives, concessions, and necessary overheads facilities to start a venture. 3. Motivated Entrepreneur:

These entrepreneurs are motivated by their desire to make use of their technical and professional expertise and skills. New entrepreneurs are motivated by the desire for self-fulfillment. 4. Spontaneous Entrepreneurs:

These entrepreneurs start their own enterprise spontaneously. They are self-confident and positive in their approach. Their inner urge and inborn talent drive them to establish their own venture.

D. On the basis of Stages of Development:

On the Stages of Development an Entrepreneurs are as follows:

1. First Generation Entrepreneurs:He is one who starts an industrial unit by means of his innovative skill. He is

essentially an innovator, combining different technologies to produce a marketable product or service.

2. Modern Entrepreneurs:

He is one who undertakes those ventures which go well along with the changing demand in market. They undertake those ventures which suit the current or modern marketing needs. 3. Classical Entrepreneurs:

He is one who is concerned with the customers and marketing needs through the development of a self-supporting venture. He is a stereo type entrepreneur whose aim is to maximize his economic returns at a level consistence with the survival of the firm with or without the element of growth. These entrepreneurs are traditional and do not undertake any innovation.

E. On the basis of Growth:

On the basis of Growth an Entrepreneurs can be classified as follows:

1. Growth Entrepreneurs:

Growth Entrepreneursare those who necessarily take up a high growth industry

which has substantial growth prospects.

2. Super-Growth Entrepreneurs:

Super-Growth entrepreneurs are those who have shown enormous growth of performance in their venture. The growth performance is identified by the liquidity of funds, profitability and gearing.

F. On the basis of Gender:

On basis of gender an Entrepreneur can be:

1. Men Entrepreneurs.

2. Women Entrepreneurs.

Women Entrepreneurs:

In this dynamic world women entrepreneurs are significant part of the global expedition for sustained economic development and social progress. Due to the growth of industrialization, urbanization, social legislation and along with the spread of higher education, awareness, the emergence of women owned business are increasing in the economies of almost all countries.

In the former days for women there were 3ks-Kitchen, Kids, Kitting, then came 3Ps-Powder, Pappad, Pickles and now at present there are 4Es –Electricity, Electronics, Energy, Engineering. Indian women have gone a long way and are becoming increasingly visible and successful in all sphere of life and have shifted from kitchen to higher level of professional activities.

Women entrepreneurs are fast becoming a force to reckon with in the business world and are not only involved in business for survival but to justify their inner urge of creativity and to prove their capabilities. Educated women is contributing to a great extent to the social transformation and in the future will be seen that more women venturing into areas traditionally dominated by men.

Today’s women are taking more and more professional and technical degrees to cope up with market need and are flourishing as designer, interior, decorator, exporters, publishers, garments, manufacturers and still exploring new avenues of economic participation. Therefore, Government bodies, NGOs, Social Scientist, Researchers and International Agencies have started showing their interest in the issue relating to entrepreneurship among women in India.

In the words of Former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam “empowering women is a prerequisite for creating a good nation, when women are empowered, society with stability Is assured.

Empowerment of women is essential as their thoughts and their value systems lead to the development of good family, good society and ultimately a good nation.”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has remarket “When women move forward the family moves, the village moves and the nation moves.”

Definition of Women Entrepreneurs:The term women entrepreneurs deals with that section of the female proportion

who venture out into industrial activities i.e. manufacturing, assembling, job works, repairs/servicing and other businesses. In short women entrepreneurs are those women who think of a business enterprise, initiate it, organize it, operate it and undertake risks and uncertainty involved in business.

A. Government of India:

“An enterprise owned and control by a women having a minimum financial interest of 51% of the capital and giving at least 51% of the employment generated in the enterprise to women.”

However this definition is subject to criticism mainly on the condition of employing more than 51% women workers in the enterprise owned and run by the women.

With the effect from 7th February 1992, the definition of women entrepreneurs are as follows:

“A small scale industrial unit/industry related service or business enterprise manage bye one or more women entrepreneurs in proprietary concern in which she/they will individually or jointly have share capital of not less than 51% as a partners/shareholders/directors of private limited company, members of co-operative society.

B. Fredrick Harrison:

“Any women or group of women which innovates, initiates or adapts an economic activity may be called women entrepreneurs.”

Traits of Women Entrepreneurs in India:

Women are ambitious

A successful woman entrepreneur is dreadfully strong-minded one, has an inner urge or drives to change contemplation into realism. Knowledge from her previous occupancy as an employee, relying on educational qualifications or lessons learnt from inborn business, she is ready to grab opportunities, sets goal, possess clear vision, steps confidently forward and is ambitious to be successful. Every successful woman entrepreneur is truly determined to achieve goals and make her business prosper. Thorough knowledge of the field is indispensable to success. She comes with new innovative solutions to old problems to tide over issues.

Women are confident

A successful woman entrepreneur is confident in her ability. She is ready to learn from others, search for help from experts if it means adding value to her goals. She is positive in nature and is keener to take risks. A winning woman entrepreneur uses common intelligence to make sound judgments when encountering everyday situations. This is gleaned from past experience and information acquired over the years. It is essential not to get aggravated and give up when you face obstacles and trials. The aptitude to

explore uncharted territories and take bold decisions is the hallmark of a successful woman entrepreneur. A successful woman usually loves what she does. She is extremely fervent about her tasks and activities. Her high energy levels motivate her to contribute immensely towards building, establishing and maintaining a prosperous business.

Women is open and willing to learn

A successful woman entrepreneur keeps side by side of changes, as she is fully conscious of the importance of evolving changes. She is ahead of her competitors and thrives on changes. She adapts her business to changes in technology or service prospect of her patrons. She is inquisitive, concerned to learn and accommodative to innovations.

Women are cost conscious

A successful woman entrepreneur prepares pragmatic budget estimates. She provides cost effective quality services to her clients. With minimized cost of operations, she is able to force her team to capitalize on profits and gather its benefits.

Women values cooperation and allegiance

A woman has the ability to work with all levels of populace. She is keen on maintaining associations and communicates evidently and efficiently. This helps her to negotiate even responsive issues without difficulty. She is sympathetic to people around her and have good networking skills that help her to get better contacts and utilize opportunities.

Women can balance home and work

A successful woman entrepreneur is good at balancing varied aspects of life. Her multitasking aptitude combined with support from spouse and relatives enables her to bring together business priorities with domestic responsibilities competently and efficiently.

Women are aware of her legal responsibility to the social order

A successful woman entrepreneur is eager to share her achievement with the society. She is dedicated to assist others and enjoys her liability.

Women focus on their Plans

Women Entrepreneur’s plan their work and work with plan. Set long-term and short-term goals and take consistent action in moving toward them.

An effectual Women Entrepreneur requires certain additional essential qualities, which can be listed as follows;

Innovative thinking and farsightedness.

Often relatively comfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty and risk.

Quick and effective choice making skill.

Strongly influence events (or self-efficacy).

Strong determination.

Have high levels of work motivation.

Preparedness to take risks.

Characterized by high levels of social competence and social intelligence

Accepting changes in right time.

Has an ability to build relationships and to connect with others on a social and

interpersonal level

Access and alertness to latest scientific and technological information.

Single-minded and devoted to their unique passions.

Efficient execution of decisions imposed on them.

Key Changes in Women Entrepreneurs In Last Five Decades:

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE FIFTIES:

Compulsive factors led to the creation of women entrepreneurs.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE SIXTIES:

Women began to aspire but also accepted the social cultural traditions.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE SEVENTIES:

The women in this decade opened up new frontier. They had not only aspiration but ambition.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE EIGHTIES:

Women were educated in highly sophisticated, technological and professional education. They became equally contributing partners.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE NINETIES:

This was the first time when the concept of best rather than male heir was talked about.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OF THE 21st Century:

Since the 21st century, the status of women in India has been changing as a result to mounting industrialization and urbanization and social legislation. Over the years, more and more women are going in for higher education, technical and professional education and their proportion in the workforce has also been increased.

With the spread of education and awareness, women have shifted from the kitchen, handicrafts and traditional cottage industries to non-traditional higher levels of activities. The Government has also laid special weight age on the requirement for conducting special entrepreneurial training programs for women to enable them to start their own ventures.

Financial institutions and banks have also set up particular cells to help women entrepreneurs. This has rebound the women entrepreneurs on the economic scene in the recent years although many women’s entrepreneurship enterprises are still remained a much neglected field. Though, for women there are quite a lot of handicaps to enter into and manage business ownership due to the intensely entrenched conventional state of mind and strict principles of the Indian society.Features of Women Entrepreneurs:

A. Imagination:

It refers to the imaginary approach or original ideas with competitive market.

Well planned approach is needed to examine the existing situation and to identify the entrepreneurial

opportunities.

B. Attribute to Work Hard:

Enterprising women have further ability to work hard. The imaginative ideas have to come to a fair play. Hard work is needed to build up an enterprise.

C. Persistence:

Women entrepreneurs must have an intention to fulfill their dreams. They have to make a dream translated into an enterprise. Studies show that successful women have worked hard. They persisted in getting loans from financial institutions and other inputs. They have persisted in adverse circumstances and in adversity.

D. Ability and Desire to Take Risk:

The desire refers to willingness to take risk and ability to the proficiency in planning, making forecast, estimates and calculations. Profits are the reward of risk. Enterprising women take risk but the risk is well calculated. It offers challenges where chances of survival and failure are on equal footing.

E. Value of Self-fulfillment Over Money:

Generally women entrepreneurs are not driven by the desire to make money. Self-fulfillment seems to be women entrepreneurs’ basic motivating force since women have creative urge in them. Money is simply a way of keeping the enterprise running.

F. Sense of Responsibility:

Women entrepreneurs feel a deep sense of personal responsibility for the outcome of ventures they start.

G. Tolerance for Ambiguity:

Women entrepreneurs have a high degree of patience and tolerance for ambiguous and risky situations. Most often they can operate in ever-changing environment.

H. Flexibility:

Due to feminine nature, women entrepreneurs have their ability to adapt to the changing demands of their customer and their business.

I. Organizing Capacity:

Women are good managers. That is why women entrepreneurs know how to put the right people and resources together to accomplish a task to achieve a goal.

Factors promoting women entrepreneurship:

Woman entrepreneurs have been making a significant impact in all segment of economy. They have succeeded in business for the following reasons.

A. Self-fulfillment Motive:

Women are more creative than men. They always try to seek self-fulfillment through some accomplishment and achievements. Women entrepreneurs want new challenges and opportunities for self-fulfillment. Thus, they are driven to establish enterprises to get creative pleasure.

B. Providing Worth:

Today women have become more desirous to prove their worth and talents in enterprising ventures. They have quality of endurance or courage to do entrepreneurial activities. Women entrepreneur are motivated to prove their ability and mettle in innovative and competitive jobs. Today, they are more likely than ever to be highly educated and have managerial experience in the industries.

C. Maintaining Balance Between Family and Business:

Modern women entrepreneurs are more awakened, educated and able to manage time. With the help of employees and managers, they are able to maintain a balance between their

family responsibilities and their business live. Often small scale units fit a women’s life style. Small families also help to facilitate both their family and business lives.

D. Social Take-off:

The emergence of female entrepreneurs is also promoted due to the condition of social take-off, set for women. They are moving from the stage of dependence to their self-sustaining growth. They have created profitable opportunities for them.

E. Skill at Organizing:

Women are good manages. Due to their organizing skill, female entrepreneurs can effectively combine people, jobs and resources. With the experience of running a home, they can plan and build a business “from scratch”.

G. Economic Expression:

The desire for economic expression and self-reliance has also motivated women enter the business fields. Today small businesses are offering women opportunities for economic liberty through employment and entrepreneurship.

H. Branching out in Various Industries:

Today women have begun to break away tradition and invade fields that have long been exclusively male-dominated. Female entrepreneurs have produced a new pool of talent with experience in virtually every industry. The fastest growing industries for women-owned companies are construction, agribusiness, transportation, communication and utilities. They are running restaurants and hotels. The other chosen by women are retail trade, education, cultural arts, cleaning, insurance etc. women entrepreneurs are invading such long time bastions as manufacturing, construction and tool engineering.

I. High Survival Rate of Business:

Female entrepreneurs have high degree of commitment and tenacity. This generates success for them. Although the businesses of women entrepreneurs tend to grow more slowly than those owned by men, women-owned businesses have higher survival rate.

J. Economy Reforms:

Today, economic reforms in any country are being made very fast. Hence there is a change in the prevailing condition of women. Socio-cultural environment is also changing. With the march of economic reforms-liberalization, privatization, globalization- the entrepreneurial opportunities for women have tremendously increased.

K. Women Empowerment:

Today, women are attracted to make use of business opportunities. Thus they have joined the mainstream of the nation. They are also contributing to the shift from welfare approach to empowerment. Women empowerment has created conditions for enabling the women to start enterprise effectively. Women empowerment provides access to resources and markets, actual ownership and effective control, thus the desire for women power has driven the women to start entrepreneurship.

L. Breaking Glass Ceiling:

Increasing numbers of women are discovering that the best way to break the glass ceiling that prevents them from rising to the top of many organizations is to start their own companies. In traditional society women were confined to the four walls of houses performing household activities. In recent year women have taken a bold step to come out of their traditional domestic occupation to start their business unit.

M. Generating Sale Revenue:

Profits earned by women entrepreneurs are inspiring. Their sales revenue is not falling far short of those realized by their male counterparts. However for lower sales level for women stems from, among other things, their concentration in the service and retail industries and the newness of their business.

N. Women Labour:

The one major reason for the emergence of women as founders of their own business has been the large influx of women entering the labour force, who later launch their own business.

O. Business-education Women:

The number of business institutes providing entrepreneurial education and training is increasing very fast. Clearly with the explosive growth of business-educated women, it follows that, more than ever before, women are aspiring to start their own venture.

P. Government Support:

State Government, Central Government Agencies, Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions have come forward to introduce different schemes for women entrepreneurs. This has promoted women to start their own business.

Functions of Women Entrepreneurs:

As an entrepreneur, a women entrepreneur has also to perform all the functions involved in establishing a business enterprise. These included idea generation and screening, determination of objectives, project preparation, product analysis, and determination of forms of organization, completion of promotional formalities, raising funds, procuring, men, machine, materials, and operation of business.

According to Frederic Harbison a women entrepreneur has to perform the following functions:

Exploration of the prospects of stating a new business enterprise.

Undertaking of risks and the handling economic uncertainties involved in business.

Introduction of innovations or imitations of innovations.

Co-ordination, administration, and control.

Supervision and leadership.

All these functions appear to be somewhat uneven in character. Moreover, these functions are not always of equal importance. For instance risk taking and innovations are paramount for establishing and diversifying an enterprise. Co-ordination and supervision become an increasingly important in improving the efficiency and assuming smooth, balanced operation of the undertaking. In women enterprises, usually the same lady performs all these functions. Most likely she is also the owner of the enterprises. In nutshell, women entrepreneur are those women who think of a business enterprise, initiate it, organize and combine the factors of production, operate the enterprise, undertake risk and handle economic uncertainties involved in running a business enterprise.

A Woman entrepreneur has also to perform all the functions involved in establishing an enterprise:

Functions for establishment of an enterprise

Idea generation and screening

Determination of objectives

Undertaking a risk and handling of economic uncertainties involved in business.

project preparation

Product analysis

Introduction of innovations, imitations of innovations.

Form of business

Co-ordination, administration and control.

Raising funds

Supervision and leadership.

Procuring men, machine and materials and operations of business.

Successful Leading Business Women in India:The 21 Leading Businesswomen in India:

Akhila Srinivasan, Managing Director, Shriram Investments Ltd

Chanda Kocchar, Executive Director, ICICI Bank

Ekta Kapoor ,Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms

Jyoit Naik, President, Lijjat Papad

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Chairman and Managing Director, Biocon

Lalita D Gupte, Joint Managing Director, ICICI Bank

Naina Lal Kidwai ,Deputy CEO, HSBC

Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals

Priya Paul, Chairman, Apeejay Park Hotels

Rajshree Pathy, Chairman, Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals Ltd

Ranjana Kumar ,Chairman, NABARD

Ravina Raj Kohli, Media personality and ex-President, STAR News

Renuka Ramnath, CEO, ICICI Ventures

Ritu Kumar ,Fashion Designer

Ritu Nanda, CEO, Escolife

Shahnaz Hussain, CEO, Shahnaz Herbals

Sharan Apparao, Proprietor, Apparao Galleries

Simone Tata, Chairman, Trent Ltd

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Joint MD, Kinetic Engineering

Tarjani Vakil, former Chairman and Managing Director, EXIM Bank

Zia Mody, Senior Partner, AZB & Partners

Role of women as an Entrepreneur:

Considering the flow of women entrepreneurs in the traditional industries, it is oftencriticized that the women entrepreneurship is engaged only in handloom and handicraft and in the non-traditional term, now their aspect have broaden 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 it emphasizes from the traditional industry to non-traditional industry and services. Based on this concept, some important opportunities are being identified, considering the socio-economic, 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, papad, manufacturing of woollen goods, beauty parlour business, typing centre, job contracts for packaging of goods and distribution and household provision etc.

At present they are:

Creative: It refers to the creative approach or innovative ideas with competitive market. Well-

planned approach is needed to examine the existing situation and to identify the entrepreneurial

opportunities. It further implies that women entrepreneurs have alliance with clued-up people and

constricting the right organization offering support and service.

Quality to working hard: Innovative women have further ability to work hard. The creative ideas

have to come to a fair play. Hard work is required to build up an enterprise.

Determination: Women entrepreneurs must have an intention to fulfill their dreams. They have to

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 calculations.

Profit earning capacity: she has a capability to get maximum return out of invested capital.

Types of women Entrepreneurs:

A. Chance Entrepreneurs:

Those who started business without any preparation, clear goals or plans, they were lucky to come across opportunities which they grabbed.

B. Forced Entrepreneurs:

Those who were compelled by circumstances such as death of husband or father with responsibilities falling on them to take over the existing business such entrepreneurs called forced entrepreneurs.

C. Created Entrepreneurs:

Types.Chance Entrepreneurs.

Forced Entrepreneurs.

Created Entrepreneurs.

Natural Entrepreneurs..

These are the ones who were properly identified, motivate, encouraged. They are the ones for whom the various schemes are being designed by the financial institutions and commercial banks.

D. Natural Entrepreneurs:

The entrepreneurs take business as a profession on their own by self planning or motivated through profit factor and also keeping themselves busy.

Common Factors of Women Entrepreneurs in India: Women with small families are more likely to become entrepreneurs.

A majority of women entrepreneurs are married.

Unmarried women face difficulties in getting financial support to launch their enterprises.

Many women entrepreneurs are belong to the low-income group.

A large number of women with little or no education enter into business without

undergoing any training.

Working capital is limited and profit margins are low.

Women from the low income group exercise greater freedom in making the decision to

start business as compared to middle-class women who suffer from cultural constraints.

Many women become entrepreneurs out of economic necessity.

Women hard work is generally responsible for the launch and sustainability of the

business.

Support systems do not effectively handle their important need for vision and confidence

building and also for development better business orientation and skills.

Gender discrimination is encountered at every stage of business development.

Women entrepreneurs are security oriented rather than growth oriented.

Women prefer diversification to specialization.

Women prefer stabilization of income and minimization of risk over maximization of

income.

Though the trend is changing, it id uncommon to find enterprise owned by women and run

by men.

Opportunities of Women Entrepreneurs in India:In the last decade there has been a remarkable shift in emphasis from the

manufacturing industry to the service industry. Considering this, some important opportunities are identified for the women in different areas.

A. Opportunities for Women in Urban Areas:

Computer service and information dissemination.

Trading in computer stationary.

Computer training at various levels.

Travel and tourism.

Quality testing, quality control laboratories.

Sub-assemblies of electronic products.

Screen printing, photography and video shooting..

Community kitchen.

Job contracts for packaging of goods.

Beauty parlours.

Communication centers like STD booths, cyber cafes, etc.

The opportunities enlisted above for women entrepreneurs are representative and such opportunities can be indentified.

B. Opportunities for Women in Semi-urban Areas:

Considering the socio-economic, cultural and economic status and the motivational levels of women in semi-urban areas, particularly projects with low investments, low technical know-how and assured market are suggested for them. Important opportunities identified for semi-urban women are enlisted below:

Production of liquid soap, soap powder, detergents etc.

Child care centers and cultural center for children.

Nursery classes.

Manufacturing of leather goods.

Garments.

Different types of training and coaching classes.

Convenience, readymade, instant food products including pickles, papads,

spices etc.

C. Opportunities for women rural areas:

In the recent industrial policy, the government has given tremendous importance for the agro-based products and allied products. Only 1% to 2% of the total production of fruits and vegetables is processed every year in India. Women have a natural flair and instinct for food preparation and processing. A new market is developed for the processed fruits and vegetables in the form of baby food, ice cream, convenience food, cold drinks, traditional medicine preparation etc. thus there are plenty of opportunities available for women entrepreneurs.

Problems of Women Entrepreneurs in India:Women entrepreneurs face many hurdles. Societal support is a key determinant in entrepreneurial

establishment. The most common problem, which a woman faces, is the non-cooperation from her husband or close family members. Majority of the time the family members do not motivate them. Besides they face other problems like mobility constraints, dual responsibility, low managing ability, risk-bearing ability etc. They don’t lack managerial skills but they have less promotional ability, which they need to improve upon.Scarcity of raw material and finance are another problem faced by the women entrepreneurs.

The standard of technology used by the women entrepreneurs is qualitatively low; they are poor in technical know-how. Transportation difficulties, improper power supply and telecommunication are some of the other problem faced by them. Marketing problem is the biggest problem faced by women entrepreneurs.

There are some umpteen problems faced by women at various stages beginning from their initial commencement of enterprise, in running their enterprise. Their various problems are as follows:

A. No Independence:

The first problem of women entrepreneurs is that of her being women. She is considered subordinate to male in all walks of life. The basic ingredients such as independence and authority required for successful entrepreneurs are not adequate in India.

B. Lack of Self-Confidence:

Women do not have self-confidence in their own abilities which is partly due to cultural environment. This is because of family’s reluctance to provide them funds for their venture. Banks are reluctance to their project due to no collateral securities on their name and very few development agencies come forward to give them help.

C. Low Risk Bearing Capability:

Generally women in India are confined to the four walls of the house. They are less educated and thus economically backward. This reduces their risk bearing capability in running an enterprise.

D. Male Dominated Society:

An important barrier to empowerment of women through enterprise is the male dominated society. Prevalent socio-cultural attitudes and beliefs are not conducive to the blossoming of women as entrepreneurs. Male child is still preferred to the female child right from the birth. The constitution of India speaks about sex equality but till today women are considered as abala i.e. weak, passive and home oriented an as a result less capable than men.

E. Lack of Family Encouragements:

Very few women get encouragements from the family to start a business. In India it is mainly a women’s duty to look after the children and other member in the family.

F. Low Mobility:

Women in general are less mobile due to social cultural barriers. The duel responsibility that women entrepreneurs have to cope up with is making a success of their enterprise and looking after the home and cooking restricts their mobility.

G. Lack of Education:

In India around 60% of women are still illiterate. Illiteracy is the root cause of socio-economic problems. Due to lack of education and that too qualitative education, women are not aware of business, technology and market knowledge.

H. Social Recognition:

Society does not give due recognition to women entrepreneurs. They are looked down as small and weak.

I. Stiff Competition:

Women enterprises face stiff competition from organized industries and due to the absence of any kind of organisational set-up by women entrepreneurs. As a result of this, such a competition leads to the closure of women enterprises.

J. Low Need for Achievements:

For success in business, there is need for achievement. Generally women will not have strong need for achievement. Every women suffer from the painful feeling that she is forced to depend on others in her life. Till marriage she is dependent on her parent, after marriage she is dependent on her husband, on the old age she is dependent on her son. Her pre-conceived notions about her role in life inhibit achievements and independence.

K. Arrangement of Finance:

For every business undertaking Finance is said to be the “life blood”, whether it is large,medium or small enterprise. Women entrepreneurs face the problems of shortage of finance on two important bases. Firstly, women do not in general have property on their own names to use that as collateral securities for obtaining loans/funds from banks and other financial institutions. Thus their access to external sources is very limited .Secondly, obtaining the support of bankers, managing the working capital, lack of credit resources are the problems which still remain in the male’s domain.

L. Shortage of raw-materials:

Women entrepreneurs encounter the problems of shortage of raw-materials and necessary inputs. On the pinnacle of this, is the high prices of raw materials, on one hand and getting raw materials at minimum discount rates are the other.

M. Cut-throat Competition:

Lot of the women entrepreneurs have imperfect organizational set up to drive in a lot of money for canvassing and advertisements. They have to face severe competition from organized industries. They have also to face a stiff competition with the men entrepreneurs who easily involve in the promotion and development area and carry out easy marketing of their products with both the organized sector and their male counterparts. Such a competition ultimately results in the insolvency of women entrepreneurs.

N. Lack of education and prevalent levels of illiteracy amongst women:

In India, around (40%) of women are still illiterate. Illiteracy is the root cause of socioeconomic barriers or hurdles. Due to lack of Knowledge of latest technological change, know-how and education creates problems before women to set up competitive enterprises.

O. Family Conflicts:

Women also countenance the conflict of performing of home role as they are not available to spend enough time with their families. Because in India, mainly a woman’s duty is to look after her children and manage the other members of the family. In business they have to spend long hours and as a result, they find it difficult to meet the demands of their family members and society as well. Their incapability to attend to domestic work, time for education of children, personal hobbies, and entertainment adds to their conflicts.

P. Marketing Problems:

Women entrepreneurs incessantly face the problems in marketing their products. It is one of the core problems as this area is mainly dominated by males and even women with adequate experience fail to make a dent. For marketing the products women entrepreneurs have to be at the mercy of middlemen who pocket the hunk of profit. Although the middlemen exploit the women entrepreneurs, the purging of middlemen is tricky, because it involves a lot of running about. Women entrepreneurs also find it difficult to capture the market and make their products popular.

Q. Lack of self-confidence and optimistic attitude amongst women:

Nowadays most of the women are suffering from one major problem of lack of self-confidence, determination, physically powerful outlook, hopefulness etc. They are always panic from committing mistakes while doing their piece of work, more over there is limited initiative of taking risk and bearing uncertainty in them. Thus all these psychological factors often obstruct their path of achieving success in the area of enterprise.

R. High cost of production:

High cost of production undermines the efficiency and adversely affects the development of women entrepreneurs. The installation of new machinery during expansion of the productive capacity and like similar factor dissuades the women entrepreneur from venturing in to new area. Government assistance in the form of grant and subsidies to some extent enables them to tide over the difficult situations. However, in the long run, it would be necessary to increase efficiency and expand productive capacity and thereby reduce cost to make their ultimate survival possible, other than these, women entrepreneurs also face the problems of labour, human resources, infrastructure, legal formalities, overload of work, lack of family support, mistrust etc.

Strategies to Solve Problems of Women Entrepreneurs:A. Special Cells:

In bank and public financial institutions, special cells may be opened for providing easy finance to women entrepreneurs. These cells should be manned by women officers and women clerks. Further, finance may be provided at concessional interest rates.

B. Set up Co-operatives:

Women entrepreneurs should be encouraged and assisted to set up co-operatives in order to eliminate middlemen. These co-operatives will pool the inputs of women entrepreneurs and sell them on remunerative prices.

C. Raw Materials:

Scarce and imported raw materials may be made available to women entrepreneurs on priority basis.

D. Changes the Attitude of Society:

Steps may be taken to make family members aware of the potential of girls and due role in society. There must be change in the negative social attitudes towards women.

E. Female Literacy:

Honest and sincere attempts should be undertaken by the government and social organizations to increase female literacy.

F. Self-employment Opportunities:

In rural areas, self employment opportunities should be developed for helping women.

G. Marketing Facilities:

Marketing facilities for the purpose of buying and selling both raw material and finished goods should be provided in easy reach.

H. Facilitating Training and Development:

Facilitates training and development should be made available to women entrepreneurs. Family members do not like women to go to distance places for training, therefore mobile training centers should be arranged.

I. Institutional Support System:

Institutional support system should be designed to suits the requirements of women entrepreneurs

J. Government Support:

Government should try to involve women entrepreneurs in decision making process meant for entrepreneurship development.

Women Entrepreneurs Associations:With the growth of women entrepreneurs, a few associations of women

entrepreneurs have been setup at national and international levels. The main purpose of these associations is to be creates a congenial environment for developing women entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas. Some of the associations of women entrepreneurs in India are as follows:

India Council of Women Entrepreneurs.

National Commission on self Employed Women in the Informal sector.

State Level Association of Women Entrepreneurs.

A. Objectives of women Entrepreneurs Association:

To provide a meeting place for women entrepreneur.

To promote and develop feelings of unity and sisterhoods among entrepreneurs.

To develop self-confidence and hope among female entrepreneurs.

To protect and promote the interest of women entrepreneurs.

To present the problems of women entrepreneurs before the concerned authorities for

consideration and redressal.

To help women entrepreneurs in expediting procedures and formalities required for getting

license, if necessary.

To establish separate industrial estates for women entrepreneurs or get reserved space in already

established industrial estates.

To get various concessions, subsidies and assistance for women entrepreneurs.

To conduct entrepreneurial programmes for women entrepreneurs.

To identify investment opportunity for women.

To establishing useful contacts for promoting women entrepreneurship.

B. Government Support to Women Entrepreneurs in India:

To overcome the obstacles in the process of women empowerment, the

governments at the centre and states provide preferential treatment to women in finding them employment in

the organized sector and also in encouraging, equipping and facilitating them to start own units.

Government at the centre as well as at the state designed number of schemes and programmes for the support of entrepreneurs in general and women entrepreneurs in particulars. The schemes of Government of include:

a. Support for training and Employment Programme (STEP):

It aims to increase the income of the women by updating their knowledge and skill and in the traditional sector such as dairy development, animal husbandry, handloom and social forestry. Since the inception of the program is in 1987 around 3.32 lakhs women were benefited through 61 projects at the end of the March 2000.

b. Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD):

It is for training and skill development, and also for promotion of self-reliance through the generation of income for women in non traditional trades. Since 1982-83 when the programme was launched, till 31 December 1997, 1.40 lakh women have been benefited through 887 projects.

c. Trade-Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD):

It was designed to generate self-employment for 45,000 women in rural and urban areas. The package involves financial assistance and services through NGOs in the non-farm sector. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), with the objective of meeting the credit needs of the poor links banks with self-help groups. About 85 per cent of the self help groups that linked with the banks are women's groups.

C. Women Development Corporation:

The Scheme for setting up Women's Development Corporations in States was formulated, in 1986-87 with a view to identifying women entrepreneurs, providing them with technical consultancy, facilitating availability of credits, promoting marketing of products, strengthening women's cooperatives, arranging training facilities, etc. The scheme was transferred to the State sector during 1992-93, as per the decision of the National Development Council.

a. Indira Mahila Yojana (IMY):

Indira Mahila Yojana (IMY) was launched in 1995 in over 200 blocks of India, for the holistic empowerment of women. IMY is being implemented in 238 blocks and till now, 40,000 women's groups have been formed under the scheme. Of these, 3,000 groups were formed in 1999-2000.

b. Swa-Shakti Project:

It was earlier known as Rural Women's Development and Empowerment Project It was sanctioned on 16 October 1998 as a centrally sponsored project for a period of five years. With an objective of establishment of self-reliant women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Sensitising and strengthening the institutional capacity of support agencies to proactively address women's needs, developing linkages between SHGs and credit-lending institutions, Enhancing Women's access to resources for better quality of life; and Increased control of women, particularly poor women, over income and spending, through their involvement income-generation activities. The Project was launched in 1998, initially introduced in six states (Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, M.P, and U.P) through the establishment of self-help groups the project is jointly supported by International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

D. Assistance For Marketing:

Success of any manufacturing enterprise will depend on its ability to market its products. One of the major barriers in the operation of women enterprises is marketing outlet. Marketing is considered as the most important entrepreneurial function based on which the entire success of the enterprise will be determined.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Kerala Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (Kerala SIDCO) Marketing CDS products. Kerala SIDCO has several schemes for the marketing of products produced in the SS1 sector. It has launched a special scheme for the marketing of products produced in the Community Development Societies with special preference for products produced by women enterprises. SIDCO collect quality products from CDS units and marketing them to the end consumers. SIDCO on behalf of the Small Scale Industrial units in the state will participate in tenders floated by Central and State government departments and organizations.

Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs by Government of India:

Subsidy for Technical knowhow & Feasibility Reports.

Development Plots / Development Areas/ Mini Industrial Estates.

Incentives for quality Certification.

Margin Money Loan.

Margin Money loan for Non resident Keralites.

National Equity Fund Scheme (NEF).

State Investment subsidy for Information Technology.

Loan to SC/ST Entrepreneurs.

Rural Artisans Programme (RAP).

Prime Minister's Rozgar Yojana (PMRY).

Sworn Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).

Swarna Jayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana Scheme (SGSY).

Incentive for Growth scheme.

General Excise Exemption.

Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme (CGFSI).

Priority in getting power Connection.

Marketing Support and Price preference.

Sick Units Revival Programmer (SURP).

Financial Support from Reserve Bank of India:Women units are very often too tiny in size. Institutions are reluctant to attend

loans for very small amounts and demand collateral securities three or four times of the loan amount. Women having no sufficient securities to offer or not to take large amounts of loans do not get the attention of these institutions. To tackle this situation and to ensure adequate financial support to women enterprises the RBI took several initiatives. The RBI in its action plan for 2001 provided special programmes and strategies for facilitating assistance to women in the entrepreneurial sector and to attract more to this sector. For strengthening credit delivery to women particularly in the Tiny and SS1 sector, RBI issued directions and an action plan to all the public sector banks.

For strengthening credit delivery to women particularly in the Tiny and SS1 sector, RBI issued directions and an action plan to all the public sector banks. The action plan consists of the following points:

A. Redefining Of Banks' Policies / Long Term Plans:

Banks should redefine its policies by taking into account women's requirements in a focused and integrated manner, Banks should have a Charter for women, who must be published, and Banks must ensure that the benefits under various poverty alleviation and employment promotion schemes go to the women in the prescribed ratio.

B. Setting Up Women Cells:

Women's cells should be set up at the banks' head office as well as in their regional offices where information, counseling/ guidance and other credit related circumstances for women entrepreneurs are readily available, At the branch level, or clusters of branches in rural areas, the bank should have a desk visibly placed in order to provide women with relevant information and guide assist them in making loan applications etc. as far as possible a well-trained lady staff member particularly in rural areas should handle the desk, Special attention should be given to women in every branch. One officer in each branch should be designated exclusively for dealing with cases of flow of credit to women. Banks should have a target for covering at least 20 women per branch for lending and 20 for training.

C. Simplification Of Procedural Formalities:

The application forms, appraisal standards and other procedural requirements for extending finance to women entrepreneurs should be simplifies & as far as possible. Banks should ensure that the managerial staffs assist women entrepreneurs in understanding the banks' procedural formalities in a simple manner. They should also give assistance in the preparation of project reports and completion of other paper work.

D. Orientation Of Bank Officers Staff On Gender:

Concern credit requirements of women Banks should take appropriate measures to ensure that the branch level functionaries do not have traditional bias of preferring men to women in financing. For this purpose the bank staff should be oriented through short term training programmes in which a special component on gender concerns can be incorporated. Banks should also invite members of Non- Government Organisations (NGOs) or women social workers to these workshops for active interaction so that the problems were being faced by the women entrepreneurs could be better understood by bank staff in an informal manner.

E. Publicity Campaign For Creating Awareness About Credit Facilities:

Banks should launch Awareness Programmes/Publicity Campaigns about schemes available for women. Attractive publicity material such as posters, charts, can be specially designed in a simple manner so that women are able to understand it easily. The publicity material should be available in different languages and should be widely distributed particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. Gender concerns should also be addressed through publicity material viz. slogans on hoardings shelters etc. For the large numbers of illiterate and semi-literate women, particularly in the rural and semi-urban areas, the banks should make efforts to inform them through audio-visual methods/slides and charts about the different schemes under which finance is available. Banks should establish contact with the. Village Panchayats to

seek their assistance in dissemination/distribution of information material to women in the village and for delivery of credit to identified women. Banks can also explore the possibility of using the local radio and the television network for disseminating information to women in the farthest corners of the country. Banks should interact with schools/colleges/universities for publicising schemes and programmes for women. In the present computer age, banks should make use of creating websites through which wider publicity could be given about various scheme credit facilities available with the bank for women entrepreneurs. This would help all sections of the society to have easy access to such information particularly the young, educated urban women who are using computers.

Entrepreneurship Development Programs:Banks should organize entrepreneurship development programmes exclusively

for women entrepreneurs. For this purpose the banks can contact various Entrepreneurship Development Institutes in the country and develop appropriate programmes for women in the urban and rural areas, Banks should finance training courses for women, particularly in the area of information technology.

A. Specialized Branches for Women:

Banks should make concerted efforts to open specialized branches in identified areas for financing women entrepreneurs on the lines of 881 branches or Agricultural Finance branches. The specialized branches should cater exclusively and at least predominantly to the requirements of women entrepreneurs in an integrated manner.

B. Motivational Strategies to Enthuse Bank Staff:

Banks should use motivational strategies to enthuse their managers to achieve targets for women. Their work in this area should be given appropriate recognition. Banks can give annual awards to the 3 best performing branches in achieving targets plus providing credit related services to women.

C. Monitoring System:

A monitoring system should be in place for submitting regular reports on the credit flow to women. It should be an item on the calendar for review being submitted to the Board of Directors of the bank. RBI should also monitor and give suitable directions to banks from time to time.

D. Data Collection:

Separate data about credit flow to women is not presently available. Data should be generated by banks and quarterly reports submitted to RBI who should process the information and create a separate database for women. Data for women should be collected separately for amounts advanced through micro-credit, credit to small scale

E. Strengthening Of Existing Schemes:

There should be greater interaction between NABARD, ISIDBI and banks. Existing schemes and programmes being implemented by them should be further strengthened both in terms of coverage as well as volume of credit. Other facilities offered under these schemes, there is no direct alliance between SIDBI and banks. SIDBI should explore the possibility of having a tie-up with banks for women's schemes.

F. Increasing The Limit of Collateral Security:

Banks insistence on collateral/securities is a major impediment in borrowing by women. Banks should therefore implement the recent measures taken by Government /RBI for increasing the limit for non-obtention of collateral security fromRs.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh. Banks may also consider whether loans beyond Rs.5 lakhs i.e. at least up to Rs.10 lakhs could be offered without collateral. Banks should encourage women entrepreneurs to avail loans on liberal terms like minimum margin money. The promoter’s contribution could be lowered from 25 per cent to 10-15 per cent.

G. Involving NGOs/SHGs/Women's Cooperatives:

Non-government organizations (NGOs) are playing a crucial role in reaching out to women even in the remotest regions. A large number of well known NGOs are operating throughout the country. In many areas smaller NGOs are also working at the grass roots level. Banks can establish contacts with the local NGOs and liaise with them to identify the needs of women and give credit related information and guidance services. Financial institutions viz. NABARD and SIDBI are already involving the Women's self help groups for reaching out to women entrepreneurs. Banks can also take initiative in working out viable strategies to work with more Self Help Groups (SHGs) and women's cooperatives and a yearly target for lending to SHGs.

H. Mahila Rural Co-operative Banks:

Mahila Rural Cooperative Banks on the lines of Mahila Urban Cooperative banks should be set up for assisting women in the semi-urban and rural areas. RBI may issue licenses for such banks liberally.

Growth of Women Entrepreneurs in India:As per 1991 census, only 185900 women accounting for only 4.5% of the total

self employed persons in the country were recorded. Majority of them are engaged in the unorganized sectors like agriculture, agro based industries, handicrafts, handlooms, and cottage based industries.

There were more than 295680 women entrepreneurs claiming 11.2% of the total 2.64 million entrepreneurs in India during 1995-96. This is almost double the % of women 5.2% among the total population of self employed during 1981.

21st century is the century of telecom, it and financial institutions. Women’s expertise all these sectors. Many of these industries are headed and guided by women as pioneers. They have ventured to build enterprises, to discover their relevance and meaning of life in themselves.

In order to mobilize such of women entrepreneurs, a number of activities such as motivational drive, preparation of information material, conducting training, creation of common marketing exposition centers, use of mass media etc. are required. Combined effects of all these are bound to accelerate the process of women entrepreneurship development.

Admired Women Entrepreneurs in India:

When it comes to women moving up the ladder of success. However, these go-

getters have surely proved this notion wrong by achieving success through sheer hard work and dedication.

Indra Nooyi

Strong-willed, with an acute acumen for financial strategizing, Nooyi is the CFO and President of PepsiCo. Her strong acumen for business has helped the company garner as much as 30 billion dollars worth of crucial deals within the last couple of years. With a Masters Degree in Public Management from Yale University and Masters in Finance and Marketing from IIM, Kolkata, Nooyi held several senior positions at Motorola and Asea Brown Boveri before joining PepsiCo.

Chanda Kochhar

Chanda Kochhar holds a Masters Degree in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. She joined ICICI as a Management trainee after her Master in the year 1984. Later she was appointed as part of core team to set the ICICI bank. She became Deputy General Manager in 1996. In 2001, she was promoted as Executive Director, heading the retail business in ICICI Bank. In 2006, she was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of ICICI bank. She holds many prestigious awards and honors to her credit. She won the Retail Banker of the Year 2004 by the Asian Banker, Business Women of the Year 2005 by The Economic Times and Rising Star Award for Global Awards 2006 by Retail Banker International. She is also been featured in Fortune's list of Most Powerful Women in Business.

Naina Lal Kidwai

From being Head of Investment Banking at ANZ Grindlays during 1982-1994 to Vice Chairman JM Morgan Stanley, Naina Lal Kidwai is one of the most successful and famous Indian business women of today. The first Indian woman to graduate from the elite Harvard Business School, she is currently Country Head and Group General Manager HSBC Group India. Apart from working at HSBC, Kidwai has also held other eminent positions such as that of Global Advisor, Harvard Business School, non-executive director at Nestle SA and as a member of Governing Board NCAER, Auditor General of India and several other positions. Naina has received the distinguished Padma Shri award for her contributions in the segment of Trade and Industry.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is one of the richest women in India studied zoology at Bangalore University and brewery at Ballarat University. She started her career as trainee brewer at Carlton & United Beverages in 1974. Four years later she started her own company, Biocon, in her garage with an investment of Rs 10000. Three issues –biotechnology was nascent at the time in India, she was a woman and her organization had almost nil assets – made financial institutions turn down her loan application. However, with hard work and commitment, Shaw transformed Biocon into one of the leading biopharmaceutical firms in India.

Indu Jain

This multi-faceted lady used to be the Chairman of The Times Group – the most powerful and the largest media house India has known. Indu Jain is known by many different identities such as that of a spiritualist, humanist, entrepreneur, an aficionado of culture and the arts, an educationalist but her most prominent and eminent role has been that of Chairman Times Group.

Priya Paul

Armed with a Bachelor’s degree specializing in Economics from the Wellesley College in US, Priya Paul entered the family business and is currently Chairperson, Apeejay Park Hotels. The Apeejay Surrendra Group has many different subsidiaries such as hotel, tea, retail, shipping, financial services and real estate. Her contributions in the segments of commerce and industry and her efforts have been recognized through various citations and awards – Young Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India, Businessperson of the Year, Economic Times Awards and the Park Hotel being rated as one amongst the best 101 Hotels Worldwide by ‘Tatler’ magazine in the UK.

Jessie Paul

With many awards and recognitions in her kitty, such as Chairman's Award, Infosys-1998, Data Quest's list of most powerful women in IT in India, 2005, Business Today's List of

Women Achievers in India, 2007, IT People's Award for Women in Leadership-2008, Jessie Paul is currently the CEO of Paul Writer Strategic Advisory, which is a marketing advisory firm and the author of the book

No Money Marketing. She has been part of Wipro for four and half years where she created the shared-marketing unit for Wipro Technologies and Wipro Info tech. Her own company, Paul Writer Strategic

Advisory, is a marketing platform for B2B early-stage companies in the traditional and new media space like social blogging. She is considered as an expert in brand globalization.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the Joint Managing Director of Kinetic Motors and Managing Director Kinetic Finance, is responsible for Kinetic’s transformation from a moped company to a manufacturer of great versatility. Sulajja has single-handedly designed and developed marketing strategies to spearhead the company’s growth forward. The recent collaboration with Italjet Moto has provided Kinetic complete rights to launch 7 brand new models of scooters in India. India Today has honored Sulajja by naming her the ‘Face of the Millennium’ and she has beenselected as the ‘Global Leader of Tomorrow’ by the World Economic Forum.

SimoneTata

Holding the coveted title of being the ‘cosmetics czarina of India’ Simone Tata has been instrumental in changing a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills into the largest cosmetic brand in India – Lakme, synonymous today with Indian fashion. She became part of Lakme during 1961 and has been responsible for the metamorphosis of the company into the biggest brands of fashion in India. She became Chairperson of the company during 1982 and is now the Chairperson of Trent Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata group.

Neelam Dhawan

Neelam Dhawan, the Managing Director of Microsoft India and is the head of marketing and sales operations of the company throughout India. At the start of her career she yearned to be a part of major players in the FMCG space such as Asian Paints and Hindustan Lever. Unfortunately, these organizations did not want a woman to be a part of their marketing and sales efforts and hence she was rejected at the time. Before joining Microsoft, Neelam has been part of many prominent companies such as IBM, HP as well as HCL.

Ekta Kapoor

Women who single-handedly founded and made Balaji Telefilms the household name it is today. This baby-faced teenager, who once dreamed of marrying and settling down just like any other woman in India, is the creative head of Balaji Telefilms and counted as one of the top 10 women entrepreneurs of today. Her production house has many hit serials to its credit – ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ and many others, making her the Queen Bee of the Indian soap opera scene. She has won the Hall of Fame award at the 6th Indian Telly Awards during 2006 for her contribution to the Indian television industry. Known to be fiercely protective of her company and brand, Ekta is also very professional and has strong business acumen.

Mallika Srinivasan

Mallika Srinivasan, currently the Director TAFE India, was honored with the title of Businesswoman of the Year during 2006 by the Economic Times. She joined the company in 1986 and has since been responsible for accelerating turnover from 85 crores to 2900 crores within a span of two decades. Mallika has an MBA from Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania.

2. Review of Literature

Women entrepreneurship development is an essential part of human resource development. The

development of women entrepreneurship is very low in India, especially in the rural areas. Entrepreneurship

amongst women has been a recent concern. Women have become aware of their existence their rights and

their work situation. However, women of middle class are not too eager to alter their role in fear of social

backlash. The progress is more visible among upper class families in urban cities.

This paper focuses on women entrepreneur. Any understanding of Indian women, of their identity,

and especially of their role taking and breaking new paths, will be incomplete without a walk down the

corridors of Indian history where women have lived and internalized various role models. The paper talks

about the status of women entrepreneurs and the problems faced by them when they ventured out to carve

their own niche in the competitive world of business environment.

In this dynamic world, women entrepreneurs are an important part of the global quest for sustained

economic development and social progress. In India, though women have played a key role in the society,

their entrepreneurial ability has not been properly tapped due to the lower status of women in the society. It is

only from the Fifth Five Year Plan (1974-78) onwards that their role has been explicitly recognized with a

marked shift in the approach from women welfare to women development and empowerment. The

development of women entrepreneurship has become an important aspect of our plan priorities. Several

policies and programmers are being implemented for the development of women entrepreneurship in India.

There is a need for changing the mindset towards women so as to give equal rights as enshrined in the

constitution. The progress towards gender equality is slow and is partly due to the failure to attach money to

policy commitments. In the words of president APJ Abdul Kalam "empowering women is a prerequisite

for creating a good nation, when women are empowered, society with stability is assured.

Empowerment of women is essential as their thoughts and their value systems lead to the development

of a good family, good society and ultimately a good nation."

When a woman is empowered it does not mean that another individual becomes powerless or is

having less power. On the contrary, if a women is empowered her competencies towards decision- making

will surely influence her family's behavior.

In advanced countries, there is a phenomenon of increase in the number of self- employed women

after the world war 11. In USA, women own 25% of all business, even though their sales on an average are

less than two-fifths of those of other small business. In Canada, women own one-third of small business and

in France it is one-fifth.

Women Entrepreneurship Problems And Prospects Of Indian Economy:

Author: Mr.Sandeep Krishnat Raval [N.D.Patil Night College, Sangli]Mr.Suresh Shankar Shejal [Ganpatrao Arwade Commerce college sangli]Vol - I, ISSUE - V [June 2011]: Economic.

Women entrepreneurship development is an essential part of human resource development. The development of women entrepreneurship is very low in India, especially in the rural areas. Entrepreneurship amongst women has been a recent concern. Women have become aware of their existence their rights and their work situation. However, women of middle class are not too eager to alter their role in fear of social backlash. The progress is more visible among upper class families in urban cities.

This paper focuses on women entrepreneur. Any understanding of Indian women, of their identity, and especially of their role taking and breaking new paths, will be incomplete without a walk down the corridors of Indian history where women have lived and internalized various role models. The paper talks about the status of women entrepreneurs and the problems faced by them when they ventured out to carve their own niche in the competitive world of business environment.

Women Entrepreneurs Are Better Managers: Vijay Bhatkar:

Snehlata Shrivastav, TNN Sep 2, 2012, 01.58AM IST

NAGPUR: The entrepreneurship bug is catching up with women. Soon, it's going to be the women's era as they take over realms of small, medium and large enterprise. India is going to be the hub of women entrepreneurship. These were the observations of renowned Indian scientist and the man behind Param Supercomputer, Vijay Bhatkar, during his visit to the city on Saturday.Bhatkar was addressing a large gathering of young girls and women participating in the national conference on 'Women entrepreneurship through science and technology' being hosted by Prabha Shakti, women's front of Vijnana Bharti.

India best place for women entrepreneurs:

Posted on Jun 18, 2012 at 06:36pm IST Press Trust of India

New Delhi: India has emerged as the best place for women entrepreneurs to start business with high level of optimism on various factors that are important to judge business growth, says a study by PC maker Dell.

"According to the study commissioned by Dell, we have found the ideal country for a woman starting a business in 2012 could well be India," Dell Chairman (Global Emerging Markets) and President (Asia Pacific) Amit Midha said.

In Dell Women's Global Entrepreneurship Study conducted across 450 women entrepreneur across India, the US and the UK by research firm Penn Schoen Berland found that Indian women entrepreneur are confident on their business growth compared to counterparts in the US and the UK.

NMC to Hold Women Entrepreneurs Convention:

Anjaya Anparthi, TNN Dec 11, 2012, 11.05PM IST.

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to organize women entrepreneurs' convention between January 5 and 12, 2013.

Mayor Anil Sole decided this in a meeting on December 7. NMC has been holding such convention since 2010 and forthcoming will be the third. It will be organized jointly by NMC's women and child welfare department and social welfare department.

India Is Great For Women Entrepreneurs, Bad For Women. How Is This Possible?

India is a great place for women entrepreneurs, business polling and studies tell you. Yet India is the worst place to be a woman, human rights studies inform you. How can this be?

A June 2012 Women Global Entrepreneurship study by Dell showed optimism from women entrepreneurs in India who expect median business growth of 90%, eliciting this response on India’s Economic Times from Amit Midha, Dell’s Chairman For Global Emerging Markets, “We have found the ideal country for a woman starting a business in 2012 could well be India.”

Empowerment of Women: A Systematic Analysis:

June 2005Tandley Omprakash Sridevi, India Development Foundation

The empowerment of women is a contemporary issue regardless of the country

in which a social planner tries to bring a sustainable development. Though women empowerment is not a

sufficient condition it is still a necessary condition in order to stabilize and in turn to have sustainability of

the development process. This paper by characterizing the women empowerment tries to obtain a scientific

measure of empowerment. The measure obtained in this paper is argued to be scientific because the

theoretical model is proved to be more realistic by building another empirical model to capture the self-

perception of the women, for their empowerment. The result of the empirical models helps to deduce some of

the most crucial factors to be considered by the social planner for any policy initiatives in this regard.

Therefore this paper systematically and consistently characterizes the empowerment of women. The

recommendations made by this paper carries a limitation that it is all based on a homogeneous sample i.e.,

PGT teachers in

Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

3. Research Method

Current Scenario of Women Entrepreneurship in India:

A recent survey titled Women & Entrepreneurship in India 2012 Study by

Women’s Web interviewed more than 100 women entrepreneurs in India and put together an interesting

set of statistics. Most of the respondents were owners of small to medium sized businesses, a majority of

which reported sub 10 lakhs revenue.

The survey pointed out that Bangalore seemed to be the nation’s top

incubator for women entrepreneurs as most of the respondents were based in the city. Kiran M Shaw,

Chairman and MD of Biocon, was recently ranked 2nd most powerful woman CEO in India. She is also

from Bangalore. Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad followed. Interestingly,

Kolkata was absent from the top metros in which women entrepreneurs in India were based. It was the only

metro to be clubbed with the rest of cities in India.

http://trak.in/tags/business/2009/07/13/top-powerful-indian-women-ceos-have-arrived/

http://www.womensweb.in/articles/women-entrepreneurship-in-india/

Nearly 6 out of 10 respondents said that their businesses were in the areas of

Professional Services, IT, Apparels or F&B. The rest tail ended into other sectors including Travel, Media,

Health and Manufacturing. Statistics also showed that most women entrepreneurs from this survey had small

to medium sized businesses and more than 70% had less than 5 employees working for them.

So why did these women take up entrepreneurship as opposed to the

traditionally accepted pathway to success – Get a degree, get a job and work your way to the top?

The survey points out two major reasons which had lured the respondents to join the entrepreneurship

bandwagon. 75% of them believed that they had a creative idea that needed to be taken to the market place

and 60% felt the need to be their own boss.

Last but definitely the most inspirational finding for budding young to-be

entrepreneurs is the fact that 60% of these respondents started with a capital of less than 1 lakh. Personal

savings, loans from friends and family and loans from external parties emerged as the top 3 sources of

funding. Not surprisingly, finance was the most important challenge and roadblock these women

entrepreneurs faced.

Recently, Dell Women’s Global Entrepreneurship Study interviewed 450

women entrepreneurs in US, UK and India. It reported that India was one of the most favorable places for

women entrepreneurs to set up shop. The study pegged businesses owned by women entrepreneurs to grow

up to 90% in the next 5 years. In comparison, similar businesses in US and UK were expected to grow by

50% and 24% in US and UK in the same time period.

Objectives of the Study:The main purpose of making project on this topic i.e. “Women Entrepreneurship in Developing

India” are as follows:

To study the present position of Women Entrepreneurship in India.

To know that what can be the problems for women to startup their business, and how that can be

solved.

To suggest certain remedial measures to solve the problems of women entrepreneurs in India.

Scope of the Study:Women who are interested to start their business come to know the government support for them so

that accordingly they will start their business:

By this project women who want to be entrepreneurs in future can come to know the problems

and solutions for starting up business.

They come to know various opportunities and threats to be as women entrepreneurs.

In future whoever wants to conduct research on women entrepreneurs this project can act as a

reference for them.

Research Methodology:For this project I have used Historical Research, historical research is the objective evaluation

and synthesis of evidence and facts helping the researcher to draw conclusion relating to the past. Historical research is commonly used in both business research and social research. Many a time to understand the present happenings explanations from the past happenings are derived.

In this project I have collected past data, I have also mentioned the current scenario of Women Entrepreneur in Developing India. And conclusion has also been derived from the above collected data.

For methodology, an extensive literature review of secondary data from various sources i.e. newspapers, reference books, magazines, websites has been held as related to the stated objectives of the study on internet survey basis and also primary data from face-to-face interview, telephone interview, questionnaires with options and online surveys.

Case Study:

There are not many women in the position of leadership in corporate India. The growth of women in the corporate world has been slow, probably due to the glass ceiling and role stereotypes. Baring a few females made it to the top, others have only reached till the middle/senior level of management. Family and social support and education level are important factors leadership in the business world. Besides, family has priority over career for women in India. Thus, few women cut through all the barriers and reach the top. One such example is Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairperson and Managing Directors, the HSBC investment banking and securities business in India. According to her, in India,” there is an extent family of mothers, sisters and mother-in-law ready to step in along with the easily available domestic help. However, despite these advantages in the urban middle class in India, women are only now entering the corporate world”.

A graduate from HBS, Naina joined ANZ Grindlays bank in India 1982. Having done her stints in a variety of jobs in merchants, retails and investment banking, she moves to Morgan and Stanely in 1994 to manage its operation in India. She has been a higher achiever throughout. Naina was ranked 3rd by fortune magazine in their maiden list of the world’s top women in business in Asia (2000), and later it placed her among the top 50 women in business in three successive years. Time magazine selected her as one of 2002, fifteen emerging Global Influential. She is a chairperson of various committees of industry associations.

Naina is not only successful in professional life, but in her personal life too she is married with two children.

Limitations of Study:During doing this research I found out that Women entrepreneurs face following limitations:

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 sceptical 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 , "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. 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" .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. The interest of the family members is a determinant factor in the realization of women folk business aspirations.

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 and freedom of mobility of the women entrepreneurs.

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 . Although great advances are being made in technology, many women's illiteracy, strucutural difficulties, and lack of access to technical training prevent the technology from being beneficial or even available to females.

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 ploughing 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. Primary data has collected from particular area. Analysis of data has made on that particular sample size which can’t be applied on the female’s presents all over the India.

4. Data Analysis& Interpretations

In research project analysis and interpretation of data are two major concluding steps. Analysis of data is the process of re-arranging the collected data in a systematic manner for interpretation purpose.

A. Primary Data:

Primary data constitutes first hand information which is collected for the first time. It is data collected from primary source which is original sources. The researcher himself/herself collects primary data.

In this project i.e. “Women Entrepreneurs in Developing India” I have collected primary data by way of questionnaire. I have met various undergraduate and post graduate girls, by this meetings I come to know what is their thinking to start their own business, different opinion have came which I have interpreted in graphs.

Sample Size:

Sampling relates to data collection which is one important step in research process. Normally the primary data is not collected form each and every individual. Such large scale data collection is costly and time consuming. The better alternative is to select a representative sample and to collect data from such sample. Sample size can be Probability (Random Sampling) and Non Probability (Non Random Sampling).

For this project I have used Random Sampling method and sample size is 30.Analysis and Interpretation of data are as follows:

1. What you want to be in future?

An Entrerpeneur. An Employee. A House Wife.0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Series1

Data collected from sample size, when I analyzed that data I come to know that 63.33% of girls who is studying and who has completed their study want to be an entrepreneur in their future. And 23.33% of girls want to be an employee. Remaining % of girls i.e. 16.67% want to be a house wife.

It means that majority of girls nowadays want to be an entrepreneur, instead of the fact that they have to face various problems to be an entrepreneur.

2. If you get an opportunity to start business, would you like to go for

that?

Yes. No. Can't Say.0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Series1

Majority of girls wants to start their own business. According to them it is better to be an own boss rather than to be an employee. 30 out of 28 girls want to start their own business if they get opportunity i.e. 93.33%. And remaining 2 don’t want to start their business i.e.6.67%.

It means in present scenario majority of females wants to start their own business. And vary less proportion of that doesn’t want to start their business. Reason could be anything like they might have ample of funds and they want to rely on that, may be they are not ready to take risk.

3. If you want to be an entrepreneur will your family member support

you?

Yes.No.Can't Say.

This chart reveals that how many families will support girls to be an entrepreneur in their future.90% girl’s families will support them, 3.33% of girl’s won’t get any support from their family, and 6.67% of girls can’t say anything whether their family will support them or not.

Here I can say that if girls want to be entrepreneurs in their future then one of the major obstacles in their business career can b reduced i.e. family problem.

4. If yes, then at what level you would like to start your business?

Small. Medium. Large.0

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Series1

The previous chart disclose that 90% of girl’s family will support them, out of them 33.33% will start their business on small scale and 66.67% will start on medium scale.

Majority of them will go for medium scale because it may be beneficial for them, and remaining will start on small scale. According to the survey I come to know that no one wants to establish large scale business at their initial stage, reason may be that to start large scale business risk will be very high.

5. According to you what is the contribution of women entrepreneurs in

developing India?

Extreme . Medium. Low.0

5

10

15

20

25

Series1

From the above graph we can see that majority of girls thinks that the contribution of women entrepreneurs in developing India is medium i.e. 73.33% and 16.67% thinks that it’s extreme. Just 10% thinks that their contribution is very low.

It means very least % of girls thinks that the contribution of women entrepreneurs in developing India is very less, but from graph we can see that majority of girls believe that the contribution of women entrepreneurs is medium in India, some of them thinks it is extreme.

6. What do you think is the changing role of women favorable to Indian

Culture?

Yes.No.Can't Say.

From the above pie-chart it is clear that major proportion of girl’s i.e. 80% thinks that changing role of women is favorable to Indian culture and 16.67% can’t say anything whether it is favorable or unfavorable, and only 3% says that it is not favorable to Indian culture.

As we know Indian culture very well and we also know the fact that India is developing country and to make it developed the contribution from men and women must be equal. It was the traditional concept that women must be bound to the four walls of house but now this concept is nowhere in urban areas. That may be the reason why majority of girls thinks that it is favorable to Indian culture.

7. Is their personal life getting affected due to their professional life?

Yes No. Can't Say0

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20

Series1

As per the 60% of girls, personal life getting affected due to their professional life and 33.33% of girls says their personal life won’t get affected, remaining % of girls i.e. 2% can’t say anything regarding this.

Major proportion of girls thinks that their personal life getting affected, but some says it’s doesn’t get affected. Difference in girl’s opinion may be because they have to face difference situation.

8. What you think, are the government supporting women

entrepreneurs?


2

4

6

8

10

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14

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20

Series1

Regarding the government support 60% of girls thinking government supporting women entrepreneurs and 20% thinks there is no support from government to women entrepreneurs and remaining 20% can’t say anything regarding this.

Government support to women entrepreneurs is up to certain level. 20% of girls thinks that they are not supporting this might be because of political instability.

9. Do you know regarding the Government policies and support to

Women Entrepreneurs?

Yes. No. Not Much.0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Series1

From the above graph we can see that 36.67% girls are aware of the government policies, 23.33% of girls don’t know anything regarding government policies. And 40% of girls know about the policies and schemes of government but not up to the mark, they are not much aware of the government schemes and policies.

Government of India must make the women aware regarding various schemes and policies so that they will take an advantage of it.

10. If yes, then according to you are the Government policies are

sufficient for Women Entrepreneurs?


2

4

6

8

10

12

Series1

From the previous graph we have seen that 36.67% of girls are aware of the government policies out of that only 16.67% of girls says government policies are sufficient for women entrepreneurs, 33.33% says government policies are not sufficient for women entrepreneurs, and 40% can’t say anything regarding government policies.

As per their thinking the schemes and policies are not sufficient so the government must take an appropriate action to make that schemes and policies best suits to their need.

B. Secondary Data:

Secondary data are next to primary data. This data has already collected and complied for some other purposes by someone other than the researcher himself/herself. Secondary data are available easily, quickly and economically.

For this project I have collected secondary data by using books and websites.Secondary data from various sources i.e. newspapers, reference books, magazines, websites etc.

5. Conclusion & Suggestions

Entrepreneurship among women, no doubt improves the wealth of the nation in general and of the family in particular. Women today are more willing to take up activities that were once considered the preserve of men, and have proved that they are second to no one with respect to contribution to the growth of the economy. Women entrepreneurship must be moulded properly with entrepreneurial traits and skills to meet the changes in trends, challenges global markets and also be competent enough to sustain and strive for excellence in the entrepreneurial arena.

Government must take an appropriate action to inform females regarding various schemes, and must take preventive measures to solve women’s problems.

On the basis of the survey, certain solutions or remedies can be well understood as under:

A. Promoting entrepreneurship among women is especially important to tackle the problems of under

employment and unemployment in the society.

B. Government should provide better educational facilities and schemes to women folk.

C. Establishment of proper training institutes for enhancing women to increase their level of work.

D. Improvise over all personality standards.

After studying the objectives, scope, analyzing the survey and studying the

appropriate solutions made to the problems faced by the women, the conclusion can be made that

women have the potential and deterioration to set up, uphold and supervise their own. Enterprise in a

very systematic manner. Appropriate support and encouragement from the society in general and

family, society and government can make these women entrepreneurs a part of the main stream of

national economy and they can contribute to the economic progress of India.

In India, entrepreneurship among women is of recent origin. Socio – economic

background is an important factor that influences the women to start their business. Money is not the

sole objective among women entrepreneurs to enter into the business. The studies relating to women

entrepreneurs in rural areas further reveal that training and awareness regarding women entrepreneurs

in building confidence. Since entrepreneurship development involves provision of additional channels

of funds in the form of working capital and credit, training, management skills etc. The intervention

aims at only raising the income of rural women of poor households, but also enabling organized

participation of groups in the programmer of credit, skill training and infrastructure support of self-

employment in groups who cannot take up economic activities, individually as their own.

On the basis of the aforesaid problems faced by women entrepreneurs and various other problems too, there is a provision of a number of Strategies for promoting women entrepreneurship to overcome these problems. Such solutions or remedies can be well understood as under:-

Promoting entrepreneurship among women is especially important to tackle the problems of under

employment and unemployment in the society.

Education has been instrumental in increasing the participation of women in entrepreneurial activities.

The formal education not only helps in acquisition of requires knowledge for a job, which demands

non-traditional skills but also imparts knowledge about the different occupational opportunities. Good

academic background makes women confident in dealing with problems in business in an effective

manner. Although it is a fact that entrepreneurship is not a special preserve for the educated but in the

case of women already burdened with many social pressures, education is a powerful tool in breaking

down the barriers to successful Entrepreneurship. Thus education is a liberating force and barriers of

caste and class, smoothing out inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances.

There should be an incessant attempt to motivate, give confidence, inspire and assist women

entrepreneurs.

Government should provide better educational facilities and schemes to women folk.

There should be continuous monitoring, improvement of training programmers, practical experience

and personality development programmes to improvise their over-all personality standards.

Establishment of proper training institutes for enhancing their level of work-knowledge, skills, risk-

taking abilities, enhancing their capabilities. Training Centers should provide training to prospective

women entrepreneurs free of cost and Entrepreneurship Development Programme should be much

more practical oriented. Inculcation of self-confidence amongst women that they can also run a

business should be one of the prime motives of these programmes.

Potential women entrepreneurs should be exposed to different types of emerging opportunities.

Housewives should be motivated to learn additional income.

A women entrepreneur should herself set up an example by being successful and should act as a role

model. Since children have a tendency to emulate their parents, the resultant effect would be

automatic.

Establishment of proper training institutes for enhancing their level of work-knowledge, skills, risk-

taking abilities, enhancing their capabilities.

Finance is sine-qua-non for any enterprise. The banking system is not sufficiently responsive to social

banking needs and has not been able to deal with barriers that hinder women from using or gaining

access to credit. Adequate arrangements must be made for the supply of credit facility at concession

rate for the women entrepreneurs in view of their growing needs.

Creating provision of micro credit system and enterprise credit system to the women entrepreneurs at

local level.

A Women Entrepreneur's Guidance Cell should be set up to handle the various problems of women

entrepreneurs all over the state.

Positive attitudinal change in the society recognizing the role of women as entrepreneur may lead to

the development of appropriate environment in which women will be able to exploit their

entrepreneurial talents.

Offering seed capital, up-liftmen schemes, women entrepreneurs fund etc. To encourage them

economically.

To extend confessional rates facilities and schemes for women entrepreneurs to prosper in the field of

enterprise.

India is a male dominated society and women are assumed to be economically as well as socially dependent on male members. The absolute dependence seems to be diluted among the high and middle class women as they are becoming more aware of personal needs and demanding greater equality.

Women entrepreneurs faced lots of problems at start-up as well as operating stage like, non-availability of finance, restricted mobility freedom and having to perform dual role one at home and other at work. Technological advancement and information technology explosion have reduced the problem of women entrepreneurs. Along with technological revolution, mental revolution of society is needed to change the attitude of the society and provide women with democratic and entrepreneurial platform.

More-over with increasing Government and Non-Government and other financial institutions assistance for various women entrepreneurs within the economy there can be significant increase brought about in the growth of women entrepreneurship process. Still efforts are being made to coordinate with the enterprise activities of women and providing them utmost financial, morale, psychological support by various institutions working within the economy and world-wide.

Thus, Women have the potential and the determination to set up, uphold and supervise their own enterprises in a very systematic manner. Appropriate support and encouragement from the Society in general and family members in particular is required to help these women scale new heights in their business ventures. The right kind of assistance from family, society and Government can make these Women Entrepreneurs a part of the mainstream of national economy and they can contribute to the economic progress of India.

6. Reference

1.1. Webiliography:

WWW.Google.Com

WWW.Wikipidia.Com

WWW.Womenweb.Com

1.2. Bibliography:

Entrepreneurship and Management of Small & Medium Enterprises

T.Y.B.M.S. Semester VISunny Fernandes

RPH Publishing House

Research Methods in Business

S.Y.B.M.S. Semester IVN.G. Kale, M. Ahmed

Vipul Prakashan

http://WWW.Womenweb.Com/

http://WWW.Wikipidia.Com/

http://WWW.Google.Com/

7. Appendix

Women Entrepreneurship in India-2008-09.

States No of UnitsRegistered

No. of WomenEntrepreneurs

Percentage

%Tamil Nadu 9618 2930 30.36

Uttar Pradesh 7980 3180 39.84

Kerala 5487 2135 38.91

Punjab 4791 1618 33.77

Maharashtra 4339 1394 32.12

Gujarat 3872 1538 39.72

Karnataka 3822 1026 26.84

Madhya Pradesh 2967 842 28.38

Other States & UTS 14576 4185 28.71

Source: Economic Survey 2008-09.

Women Corporate In Industrial Sectors - 2008-09

Sr. No Industry Percentage of Women Corporate

1 Transportation and Warehousing 15.1%

2

Agriculture Forestry Fishing and Hunting 14.6%

3 Whole Sale Trade 14.0%

4

Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction 13.5%

5

Manufacturing 13.3%

6 Management of Companies

12.4%

7

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 11.8%

8

Administrative Support and Waste Management Remediation Service

10.0%

Source: Economic Survey 2008-09

http://www.womensweb.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/women-entrepreneurs-challenges.jpg

http://www.womensweb.in/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/age-education1.jpg

Questionnaire“Women Entrepreneurs in Developing India”

Name : ____________________________________________Age : ____________Qualification : _____________________________1. What you want to be in your future?

a) An Entrepreneur.

b) An Employee.

c) A House wife.

2. If you get an opportunity to start business, would you like to go for that?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t say.

3. If you want to be an entrepreneur, will your family members support you?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t say.

4. If yes, then at what level you would like to start your business?

a) Small.

b) Medium.

c) Large.

5. What is the contribution of women entrepreneurs in developing India?

a) Extreme.

b) Medium.

c) Low.

6. What do you think is the changing role of women favorable to Indian culture?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t say.

7. Is their personal life getting affected due to their professional life?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t say

8. What you think, are the government supporting women entrepreneurs?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t Say.

9. Do you know regarding the Government policies and support to Women Entrepreneurs?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Not Much.

10. If yes, then according to you are the government’s policies sufficient for women entrepreneurs?

a) Yes.

b) No.

c) Can’t say.

11. According to you what can be the problems of women to start their own business?

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