Title: What influences women's entrepreneurial performance? Evidence from a matrilineal society in India

Authors: Ridameka Chyne

Addresses: Department of Commerce, St. Anthony's College, Bomfyle Road, Shillong – 793001, Meghalaya, India

Abstract: Women-owned enterprises contribute substantively to economic development. Ensuring the success and growth of their enterprises is therefore critical for sustaining the economic growth of the country. In this study, the factors that affect women entrepreneurs are explored in the context of a matrilineal society found in India. This paper aims to examine the experiences of Khasi women entrepreneurs by looking into their characteristics, the characteristics of their enterprises and the factors that influence entrepreneurial performance. Self-administered questionnaires were used for capturing data from 150 first-generation women entrepreneurs in the manufacturing and service sectors. The regression analysis reveals a positive relationship between human capital (previous-work experience), financial capital (bank loan) and firm performance. However, no association was found between social capital and firm performance. As the north-eastern region is strategically important for India, promoting entrepreneurship in the region is crucial for boosting the economy. This study provides an important resource for policymakers who undertake to develop schemes that aim at facilitating the growth of women-owned enterprises in the present context.

Keywords: women entrepreneurs; performance; human capital; financial capital; social capital; matrilineal society; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2020.109362

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2020 Vol.21 No.1, pp.118 - 145

Received: 19 Nov 2019
Accepted: 22 Feb 2020
Published online: 03 Sep 2020 *

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