Factors Affecting on the Performance of Women Entrepreneurs’ in Small and Medium Entities

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs contribute to the economic development of Sri Lanka. Most of small businesses are engaging in innovating byproducts or services and these micro businesses are supporting the development of the country. Therefore, proper establishment of these types of small and medium businesses are important to contribute to the country‟s development. Thus, this study explores the factors affecting both financial and non-financial performance of women entrepreneurs in small and medium entities (SMEs‟) in Anuradhapura district in Sri Lanka. Entrepreneurs‟ Orientation of individuals, Human Capital, Entrepreneur‟s goals and motivations, Legal and government barriers, Access to finance, Social-cultural factors are used as independent variables which consisting internal influencing factors and external influencing factors. Opportunity recognition is used as mediator in between influencing factors and performance of women entrepreneurs. A sample of 100 women entrepreneurs was selected based on random sampling method and structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Factors of entrepreneur orientation, human capital, entrepreneurship goals, motivational and social cultural factors have affected the women entrepreneurs‟ performance in SME‟s in Anuradhapura district. Therefore, it is identified that motivational and awareness programs enhance educational and practical skills of women entrepreneurs to improve performance in SME entities in Anuradhapura district. This study emphasizes the importance of the development of small and medium entrepreneur business in Sri Lanka for the country‟s development.