Abstract:
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the challenges of women
entrepreneurs in the crisis environment in Northern Province.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study was conducted using mixed method
approach. Under the qualitative study, data collection was conducted by using
interview and focus group discussion among the women entrepreneurs. Coding
method was applied to find out the themes. Under the quantitative research,
convenient sampling method was applied to select respondents and structured
questionnaire was developed and shared with participants to collect data in this
study. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) used to find out the determinant factors
of women entrepreneurs’ challenges.
Findings: This study reveals the five factors that hindering the progress of women
entrepreneurs in the Crisis Environment in the Northern Province. Research
findings reveled that Culture and gender role are the major challenge of women
entrepreneurs in the crisis environment. Business Sustainability, Lack of
priorities, Raw materials and Marketing factors are ranked next.
Research limitations: There is no uniformity among selected sectors and
responses. Lack of statistical information leads to going for convenient sampling
rather than random sampling to gain a comprehensive understanding of the
research topic; larger sample may provide more significant results.
Implications: The study offers valuable information to understand the
phenomenon of women entrepreneurs in crisis environment. This research revels
considerable implication for decision makers to understand the challenges of
women led enterprises in the crisis context in Northern Province.
