Title: Crisis-led Innovations among women-led MSMEs in India - with special reference to Odisha, India

Authors: Archana Choudhary; Biswa Prakash Jena

Addresses: Birla School of Management, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, India ' Alliance School of Business, Alliance University, Bangalore, India

Abstract: This paper tries to study the problems faced by women entrepreneurs during a crisis like pandemic in running their businesses. Women entrepreneurs face a number of problems that includes limited access to finance, gender discrimination, lack of mentors and coaching networks, lack of skills and experiences, unpredictable future and a lot of pressure due to domestic work. The researchers have undertaken a qualitative study and interviewed 20 women entrepreneurs. From the findings of research author gives recommendations to improve the support system thereby enhancing the viability of these enterprises based on the input provided by the women entrepreneurs.

Keywords: gender; entrepreneurs; innovations; challenges; MSMEs; Odisha; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2026.154520

International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management, 2026 Vol.16 No.2, pp.184 - 202

Received: 11 Jun 2025
Accepted: 16 Mar 2026
Published online: 02 Jul 2026 *

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