WOMAN ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurship – Lesson 9

Topics to be

Discussed…………..

Introduction

Definition

Factors influencing Women Entrepreneurs

Types of Women Entrepreneurs

Challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Specific Strategies to help Women

Entrepreneurs succeed

Women Development Prospects in Oman

Introduction

Recently, the Sultanate of Oman has devised

certain strategies to diversify the economic

activities to sectors other than oil, on which the

economy was heavily dependent earlier.

The government encourages the private sector

and focuses on the human resources with a

special drive towards ‘Omanisation’, inducing

Omani nationals to support and create

enterprises.

Introduction

However, Oman marks a significant departure

from its traditional and exclusive male

dominated decision-making situation.

The era of exclusive patriarchal (male-

controlled) dominance in leadership positions

is changing to an evolving phase of women’s

empowerment (Al-Lamky, 2007).

Introduction

Omani Women Workshop (2009) observes thatlegal, educational, training, and financial supporthave offered some opportunities to Omani Womenin the field of entrepreneurship.

McElwee and Al-Riyami (2003) find that factorssuch as family support and encouragement havepositively influenced women in emerging asentrepreneurs in Oman.

They note also that increased educationalopportunities for women and the level ofeducation have led to increased productivity.

Introduction

Small and medium sectors such as sewing,

cosmetics, design and other sectors that do

not require large amounts of capital have

attracted largely Omani women (Nadwa,

2009).

Definition

Women entrepreneurs are those who start a

small business either individually or

collectively with others by using the business

opportunities offered by the environment.

Factors Influencing Women

Entrepreneur

They want new challenges and opportunities forself-fulfillment.

They want to prove their mettle in innovative andcompetitive jobs.

They want the change to control the balancebetween their family responsibilities and theirbusiness lives.

They would like come out from their conventionalrole of managing their home.

They want to support their male counterparts byengaging in their professions and families.

Types of Women Entrepreneur

Women entrepreneurs are classified into the

following-

Chance Entrepreneurs

Natural Entrepreneurs

Created Entrepreneurs

Forced Entrepreneurs

Types of Women Entrepreneur

Chance Entrepreneurs

Chance entrepreneurs are those who initiate their

business without any preparation, clear goals and

plans. They grab the opportunities coming their

way.

Types of Women Entrepreneur

Natural Entrepreneurs

Natural entrepreneurs take business as a

profession. They plan for their business and are

being motivated by the earning of money.

Types of Women Entrepreneur

Created Entrepreneurs

Created entrepreneurs are encouraged and

trained through specialized training programs

such as Entrepreneurship Development Program

to set up their own ventures.

Types of Women Entrepreneur

Forced Entrepreneurs

The women who are compelled by circumstances

death of father, husband or brother to takeover

and manage their businesses are called as forced

entrepreneurs.

Challenges Faced by Woman

Entrepreneurs

Barriers of infrastructure

Professional barriers

Educational and training barriers

Social and cultural barriers

Legal barriers

Behavioral constraints

Barriers of role

Challenges Faced by Woman

Entrepreneurs

Barriers of infrastructure such as access tocredit, access to technology, support andguidance, information on opportunities,government support, industrial support andfinancial support (for raising capital);

Professional barriers such as traditionaloccupational restrictions, lack of professionaleducation, generating skill, and knowledge ofindustrial collaboration;

Challenges Faced by Woman

Entrepreneurs

Educational and training barriers such as

vocational training opportunities, lack of

information/ advice on how to start an

enterprise, basic educations, and no time for

training/ upgrading skills;

Social and cultural barriers such as values

and family structure, combining family and

work life, and gender bias;

Challenges Faced by Woman

Entrepreneurs

Legal barriers such as discrimination in actingindependently and assuming responsibility;

Behavioral constraints such as self-confidence,finding the right contacts for your businessventures, gaining of acceptance/ respect ofpeople, and the negative image of self; and

Barriers of role: leadership requirements,compatibility with tasks, and the pressures toachieve goals.

Specific Strategies to Help Women

Entrepreneurs Succeed

Create a Strong Network

Understand the advantages of information

technology

Learn ways to Balance work and life

Get inspiration and advice from by other

successful women entrepreneurs.

Women Development Prospects in

Oman

Oman Women Association:

The first Omani Women’s Association (OWA) was

established in 1970 as a voluntary organization

and has played a significant role in the

development of women in the Sultanate.

The role of OWA has been very encouraging in

helping women to learn skills and education and

make them self-reliant.

Women Development Prospects in

Oman

Intilaaqah:

Intilaaqah, a division of Shell, impartsentrepreneurial training to young entrepreneurs,both men and women.

It has trained a lot of women on entrepreneurshipand the kinds of business which women havestarted after the Intilaaqah training are: Tailoring of ladies dresses;

Photo And video shooting in wedding parties;

Sale of readymade garments;

Beauty salons;

Health clubs

Reviewed…………..

Introduction

Definition

Factors influencing Women Entrepreneurs

Types of Women Entrepreneurs

Challenges faced by Women Entrepreneurs

Specific Strategies to help Women

Entrepreneurs succeed

Women Development Prospects in Oman