Motivational Factors Influencing Women’s Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of Female Entrepreneurship in South Africa
Globally, many women are still disadvantaged when it
comes to business opportunities. Entrepreneurship development
programs, specifically designed to assist women entrepreneurs, are
assisting in solving this problem to a certain extent. The purpose of
this study is to identify the factors that motivate females to start their
own business. Females, from three different groups (2013, 2014 and
2015), who were all enrolled in a short learning program specifically
designed for women in early start-up stage or intending to start a
business, were asked what motivated them to start a business. The
results indicated that, from all three groups, the majority of the
women wanted to start a business to be independent and have
freedom and to add towards a social goal. The results further
indicated that in general, women would enter into entrepreneurship
activity due to pull factors rather than push factors.
[1] A. De Bruin, C. G. Brush, and F. Welter, “Advancing a framework for
coherent research on women’s entrepreneurship,” Entrepreneurship
Theory and Practice, pp. 323-339, May 2007.
[2] B. Bird, and C. G. Brush, “A gender perspective on organizational
creation,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, pp. 41-65, Spring
2002.
[3] A. De Bruin, C. G. Brush, and F. Welter, “Introduction to the special
issue: Towards building cumulative knowledge on women’s
entrepreneurship,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, pp. 585-593.
September 2006.
[4] P. G. Greene, M. M. Hart, E. J. Gatewood, C. G. Brush, and N. M
Carter, “Women entrepreneurs: Moring front and center. An overview of
research and theory,” Coleman White Paper Series, vol. 3, pp. 1-47,
2003.
[5] I. Kirzner, Discovery and the capitalist process. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 1985.
[6] S. Shane, A general theory of entrepreneurship. Cheltenham, UK:
Edward Elgar, 2003.
[7] D. R. Ambrish, “Entrepreneurship development: An approach to
economic empowerment of women,” International Journal of
Multidisciplinary Approach and Studies, vol. 01, no. 6, pp. 224-232,
2014.
[8] StatsSA, “Statistical Release P0211, Quarterly Labour Force Survey”
(Quarter 4, 2014), 2015.
[9] N. Meyer, “An investigation into the determinants of women
entrepreneurship’, Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2009.
[10] J. Kroon, “‘n Strategie vir entrepreneurskapsontwikkeling in Suid-
Afrika. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe,” vol. 42, nr. 3, pp. 215-223,
2002.
[11] M. Botha, G. Nieman, and J. van Vuuren, “Measuring the effectiveness
of the women entrepreneurship programme on potential, start-up and
established women entrepreneurs in South Africa,” South African
Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, vol. 10, nr. 2, pp. 163-
183, 2007.
[12] M. Sivvam, Women Entrepreneurship: An Indian Perspective.
Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP Lambert, 2012.
[13] M. Phillips, M. Moos, and G. Nieman, “The impact of government
support initiatives on the growth of female businesses in Tshwane South
Africa,” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 5, nr. 15, pp.
85-92, 2014.
[14] M. Herrington, J. Kew, and P. Kew, 2014 GEM South Africa Report:
South Africa: The crossroads – a goldmine or a time bomb? University
of Cape Town, Cape Town South Africa, 2015.
[15] Small Business Development Agency (Seda). Welcome to the small
enterprise development agency. Date of Access: 19 May 2015. Available
Online: http://www.seda.org.za/Pages/Home.aspx, 2015.
[16] National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). What is NYDA? Date
of Access: 19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.nyda.gov.za/
About-Us/nyda/Pages/default.aspx, 2015.
[17] Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA). Home Page. Date of Access:
19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.sefa.org.za/,2015.
[18] Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA). (2015). About us. Date of
Access: 19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.tia.org.za/about-us.
[19] National Empowerment Fund (NEF). About the NEF. Date of Access:
19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.nefcorp.co.za/
AboutbrtheNEF/StrategicPositioning.aspx, 2015.
[20] I. Verheul, A. Stel, and R. Thurik, Explaining female and male
entrepreneurs across 29 countries. SCALES Working Paper, May, 2004.
[21] J. Barsh, and L. Yee, Unlocking the full potential of women in the US
economy. A Special report produced exclusively for The Wall Street Journal Executive Task Force for women in the economy 2011. New
York: McKinsey & Company, 2011.
[22] M. McAdam, Female entrepreneurship. New York: Routledge, 2013.
[23] A. Kock, “A framework for the development of entrepreneurship in the
Ekuruleni district,” Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2008.
[24] P. Karanja, and H. M. Bwisa, “Factors that influence entrepreneurial
success among women groups: A Case study of Makuyu Division,”
International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and
Management Sciences, vol. 2, nr. 1, pp. 33-46, 2013.
[25] J. J. Van Vuuren, and D. Groenewald, “A critical analysis of the
influence of start-up factors in small business and entrepreneurial
ventures in South Africa,” Acta Commercii, vol. 1, pp. 269-280, 2007.
[26] M. A. Lebakeng, “An exploration of women entrepreneurship in
Lesotho,” Pothchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished MBA
mini-dissertation, 2008.
[27] M. Herrington, J. Kew, and P. Kew, Tracking entrepreneurship in South
Africa: A GEM Perspective. University of Cape Town, Cape Town
South Africa, 2009.
[28] R. C. O’Neill, and L. Viljoen,“ Support for female entrepreneurs in
South Africa: Improvement or decline?,” Journal of Family Ecology and
Consumer Sciences, vol. 29, pp. 37-44, 2001.
[29] C. Rasego, “A comparative study between white and black women
entrepreneurs in selected areas in South Africa,” Potchefstroom: North-
West University. Unpublished MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[30] C. J. Stander, “Exploring women entrepreneurship in selected areas in
South Africa,” Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[31] T. T. B. Buthelezi, “Exploring women entrepreneurship in the
construction industry,” Potchefstroom: North-West University.
Unpublished MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[32] Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP). Home Page. Date of Access 1 June
2015. Available Online: http://www.gep.co.za/
[1] A. De Bruin, C. G. Brush, and F. Welter, “Advancing a framework for
coherent research on women’s entrepreneurship,” Entrepreneurship
Theory and Practice, pp. 323-339, May 2007.
[2] B. Bird, and C. G. Brush, “A gender perspective on organizational
creation,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, pp. 41-65, Spring
2002.
[3] A. De Bruin, C. G. Brush, and F. Welter, “Introduction to the special
issue: Towards building cumulative knowledge on women’s
entrepreneurship,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, pp. 585-593.
September 2006.
[4] P. G. Greene, M. M. Hart, E. J. Gatewood, C. G. Brush, and N. M
Carter, “Women entrepreneurs: Moring front and center. An overview of
research and theory,” Coleman White Paper Series, vol. 3, pp. 1-47,
2003.
[5] I. Kirzner, Discovery and the capitalist process. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 1985.
[6] S. Shane, A general theory of entrepreneurship. Cheltenham, UK:
Edward Elgar, 2003.
[7] D. R. Ambrish, “Entrepreneurship development: An approach to
economic empowerment of women,” International Journal of
Multidisciplinary Approach and Studies, vol. 01, no. 6, pp. 224-232,
2014.
[8] StatsSA, “Statistical Release P0211, Quarterly Labour Force Survey”
(Quarter 4, 2014), 2015.
[9] N. Meyer, “An investigation into the determinants of women
entrepreneurship’, Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2009.
[10] J. Kroon, “‘n Strategie vir entrepreneurskapsontwikkeling in Suid-
Afrika. Tydskrif vir Geesteswetenskappe,” vol. 42, nr. 3, pp. 215-223,
2002.
[11] M. Botha, G. Nieman, and J. van Vuuren, “Measuring the effectiveness
of the women entrepreneurship programme on potential, start-up and
established women entrepreneurs in South Africa,” South African
Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, vol. 10, nr. 2, pp. 163-
183, 2007.
[12] M. Sivvam, Women Entrepreneurship: An Indian Perspective.
Saarbrücken, Germany: LAP Lambert, 2012.
[13] M. Phillips, M. Moos, and G. Nieman, “The impact of government
support initiatives on the growth of female businesses in Tshwane South
Africa,” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, vol. 5, nr. 15, pp.
85-92, 2014.
[14] M. Herrington, J. Kew, and P. Kew, 2014 GEM South Africa Report:
South Africa: The crossroads – a goldmine or a time bomb? University
of Cape Town, Cape Town South Africa, 2015.
[15] Small Business Development Agency (Seda). Welcome to the small
enterprise development agency. Date of Access: 19 May 2015. Available
Online: http://www.seda.org.za/Pages/Home.aspx, 2015.
[16] National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). What is NYDA? Date
of Access: 19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.nyda.gov.za/
About-Us/nyda/Pages/default.aspx, 2015.
[17] Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA). Home Page. Date of Access:
19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.sefa.org.za/,2015.
[18] Technology and Innovation Agency (TIA). (2015). About us. Date of
Access: 19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.tia.org.za/about-us.
[19] National Empowerment Fund (NEF). About the NEF. Date of Access:
19 May 2015. Available Online: http://www.nefcorp.co.za/
AboutbrtheNEF/StrategicPositioning.aspx, 2015.
[20] I. Verheul, A. Stel, and R. Thurik, Explaining female and male
entrepreneurs across 29 countries. SCALES Working Paper, May, 2004.
[21] J. Barsh, and L. Yee, Unlocking the full potential of women in the US
economy. A Special report produced exclusively for The Wall Street Journal Executive Task Force for women in the economy 2011. New
York: McKinsey & Company, 2011.
[22] M. McAdam, Female entrepreneurship. New York: Routledge, 2013.
[23] A. Kock, “A framework for the development of entrepreneurship in the
Ekuruleni district,” Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2008.
[24] P. Karanja, and H. M. Bwisa, “Factors that influence entrepreneurial
success among women groups: A Case study of Makuyu Division,”
International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and
Management Sciences, vol. 2, nr. 1, pp. 33-46, 2013.
[25] J. J. Van Vuuren, and D. Groenewald, “A critical analysis of the
influence of start-up factors in small business and entrepreneurial
ventures in South Africa,” Acta Commercii, vol. 1, pp. 269-280, 2007.
[26] M. A. Lebakeng, “An exploration of women entrepreneurship in
Lesotho,” Pothchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished MBA
mini-dissertation, 2008.
[27] M. Herrington, J. Kew, and P. Kew, Tracking entrepreneurship in South
Africa: A GEM Perspective. University of Cape Town, Cape Town
South Africa, 2009.
[28] R. C. O’Neill, and L. Viljoen,“ Support for female entrepreneurs in
South Africa: Improvement or decline?,” Journal of Family Ecology and
Consumer Sciences, vol. 29, pp. 37-44, 2001.
[29] C. Rasego, “A comparative study between white and black women
entrepreneurs in selected areas in South Africa,” Potchefstroom: North-
West University. Unpublished MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[30] C. J. Stander, “Exploring women entrepreneurship in selected areas in
South Africa,” Potchefstroom: North-West University. Unpublished
MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[31] T. T. B. Buthelezi, “Exploring women entrepreneurship in the
construction industry,” Potchefstroom: North-West University.
Unpublished MBA mini-dissertation, 2011.
[32] Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP). Home Page. Date of Access 1 June
2015. Available Online: http://www.gep.co.za/
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:71394", author = "Natanya Meyer and Johann Landsberg", title = "Motivational Factors Influencing Women’s Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of Female Entrepreneurship in South Africa", abstract = "Globally, many women are still disadvantaged when it
comes to business opportunities. Entrepreneurship development
programs, specifically designed to assist women entrepreneurs, are
assisting in solving this problem to a certain extent. The purpose of
this study is to identify the factors that motivate females to start their
own business. Females, from three different groups (2013, 2014 and
2015), who were all enrolled in a short learning program specifically
designed for women in early start-up stage or intending to start a
business, were asked what motivated them to start a business. The
results indicated that, from all three groups, the majority of the
women wanted to start a business to be independent and have
freedom and to add towards a social goal. The results further
indicated that in general, women would enter into entrepreneurship
activity due to pull factors rather than push factors.", keywords = "Entrepreneurship programs, South Africa, female
entrepreneurship, motivational factors.", volume = "9", number = "11", pages = "3864-6", }
