Title: An exploration of 'pull' and 'push' motivational factors among transgender entrepreneurs

Authors: Preethi Sarah; Karthigai Prakasam Chellaswamy

Addresses: Department of Commerce, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India ' Department of Commerce, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bangalore 560029, Karnataka, India

Abstract: To date, studies have focused on the men and women entrepreneurs and the gender difference in motivations among cisgender entrepreneurs. The study aims to determine whether a transgender individual entrepreneur is motivated through a push motivational factor or a pull motivational factor. This study employs a qualitative approach uses face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview with a sample size of 16 transgender entrepreneurs in India. It was found that the participants in this study were motivated by both push and pull factors. The motivational factors, which add to the knowledge of already existing push and pull factors, were to forego begging and commercial sex work, to break stereotypes, to create a business opportunity for other transgender individuals, to earn respect from society, to prove entrepreneurship is non-binary, to be a role model for other transgender individuals and to the society. In contrast, the push motivational factors were the limited opportunities, support received from society, the hijra guru, media, government support, family, friends, landlords, NGO's and another push motivational factor was the exhibitions conducted exclusively for the transgender individual entrepreneurs.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; transgender individual entrepreneur; motivation; self-employment; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2025.143575

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2025 Vol.39 No.1, pp.67 - 82

Received: 25 Jan 2021
Accepted: 09 Mar 2021
Published online: 02 Jan 2025 *

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