Title: Minority status and self-employment among women: the mediating role of adaptive behaviour and networks

Authors: Emmanuel Philemon Wandera; Isaac Nkote Nabeta; John C. Munene; Sarah Kanaabi Wasagali

Addresses: Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda ' Department of Finance, Faculty of Commerce, Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda ' Graduate Research Centre, Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda ' Electricity Regulatory Authority, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between minority status and self-employment, and the mediating role of adaptive behaviour and networks in such a relationship among self-employed women. Based on a cross sectional survey, data were collected from 203 self-employed women and analysed with partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS version 3.2.9. Findings indicate a positive and significant relationship between minority status, adaptive behaviour and self-employment, but networks do not. In addition, adaptive behaviour plays a partial mediating role. These findings provide useful insights into the role of minority status and adaptive behaviour in boosting self-employment but also adaptive behaviour as a conduit through which minority status relates with self-employment among women. Therefore, we recommend that women who are in self-employment further develop and maintain frugal behaviour that help them to minimise expenditure and save money needed for the business venture expansion.

Keywords: self-employment; minority status; adaptive behaviour; networks; PLS-SEM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEI.2021.119279

International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2021 Vol.6 No.1, pp.37 - 62

Received: 20 Apr 2021
Accepted: 20 Apr 2021
Published online: 30 Nov 2021 *

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