Abstract:
Although women make up over half of the population in Sri Lanka, their economic engagement
remains significantly low. Promoting their entrepreneurial endeavors would not only improve their
standard of living but also contribute to the growth of the economy. Understanding the goals,
typologies, and determinants of typologies is crucial in practical situations, especially with the
increasing importance of women entrepreneurs. However, most studies on entrepreneurship in Sri
Lanka have primarily focused on men, neglecting the significance of women entrepreneurs. This
study examines goal orientations, typologies and determinants of the typologies of women
entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. Goal orientations were reviewed by using push and pull factors.
Typologies were recognized based on Goffee and Scase model. The multinomial logit model was used
to identify the factors affecting on typologies. The sample was 150 registered women entrepreneurs
in the Gampaha district. A simple random sampling method was adopted for the study. Primary data
were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, which was done through direct and
telephone interviews. The survey results showed that insufficient family income is the main push
factor for venturing into business. The primary motivating factor identified was the hobby or passion
for the business. Additionally, the sample did not include any radical women entrepreneurs. A new
typology was identified and named “Conventional – Innovative." The majority of women
entrepreneurs were conventional followed by domestic. The least number of respondents belong to
the new typology. Education is significant with the Innovative typology and Conventional –
Innovative typology. The current business age was significant with the domestic and Innovative
typology. Marital status, number of children and previous employment status was significant with
none of the typologies. A similar study in other districts can determine whether radical women
entrepreneurs exist in Sri Lanka. It is good to know the goals and typologies of women entrepreneurs
while making policies related to their loan schemes and programs. These findings can be incredibly
valuable in promoting women's entrepreneurship, particularly in economically disadvantaged
countries like Sri Lanka, where research of this nature is scarce.
