Title:
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SME SECTOR IN GHANA AND ITS EFFECT ON ENTREPRENEURIAL PERFORMANCE.

Authors:
Philomena Aboagye and Owusu Boampong

Volume:1 Issue: 6

Abstract:
Entrepreneurship has been considered as the backbone of economic development for nations in recent times especially in countries with growing unemployment rate. Women entrepreneur's contribution to economic development cannot be swept under the carpet. This study is design to examine the influence of the socio-cultural environment on the performance of female entrepreneurs operating SMEs in Ghana. Social and economic theories were explored to guide the study. To attain the objective, three regions in Ghana were selected from which 603 women entrepreneurs engaged in SMEs (five sub-groups of the manufacturing sub-sector) as well as about 3 key informants from the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in the Western, Central and Ashanti Regions of Ghana were selected for the study. Data collection instruments were through interviews and observation. Both quantitative and qualitative was used to make the study more meaningful and scientifically acceptable. Data collected was analysed through Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 20 and presented using percentages and frequencies. Standard deviation was used to isolate performance factors based on scores on a set of qualitative indicators. The research revealed that, entrepreneur's socio-cultural circumstance, the culture and value system significantly have impact on performance. The study therefore recommends among others that, certain traditions and values in society which have remained barriers to people particularly women entrepreneurs must be dropped or modified to pave way for issues that promote business growth among entrepreneurs in Ghana.

Citation:

[Aboagye, Philomena, and And Owusu Boampong. "AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THE SME SECTOR IN GHANA AND ITS EFFECT ON ENTREPRENEURIAL PERFORMANCE." IJAH July 1.6 (2017): 500-18.]