Assessment of Factors Affecting the Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in MSE in Polosara District of Ganjam, Odisha

Entrepreneurship is increasingly recognized as an important driver of economic growth, productivity, innovation and employment, and it is widely accepted as a key aspect of economic dynamism. Entrepreneur is the key factor of entrepreneurship and now women have been recognized as successful entrepreneurs as they have qualities desirable and relevant for entrepreneurship development. Entrepreneurship is a more suitable profession for women than regular employment in public and private sectors since they have to fulfill dual roles. Increasingly, female entrepreneurs are considered important for economic development. Not only do they contribute to employment creation and economic growth through their increasing numbers, but they also make a contribution to the diversity of entrepreneurship in the economic process. This study was designed to assess the factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in MSEs. It also addressed the characteristics of women entrepreneurs in MSEs. A sample of 150 women entrepreneurs was taken for the study using stratified and simple random sampling. In the process of answering the basic questions, a questionnaire that include demographic profiles, characteristics of women entrepreneurs and their enterprises and factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in MSEs was designed. After the data has been collected, it was analyzed using SPSS by applying factor analysis. The results of the study indicates the personal characteristics of women entrepreneurs in MSEs and their enterprise that affect their performance. It also shows that lack of own premises (land), financial access, intense competition, inadequate access to training, access to technology and access to raw materials were the key economic factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in MSEs. Based on the major findings, recommendations were forwarded to existing and potential entrepreneurs, MSEs and Micro finance agencies