DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENUERS PERFORMANCE IN SMALL SCALE ENTERPRISES

Abstract

This study is conducted to assess the determinants of women entrepreneurs’ performance: the case of Mekelle City, Ethiopia. The study employed an explanatory research design with quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The required data were collected from 335 selected women entrepreneurs by adopting a multistage sampling technique. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using STATA software version 14. Inferential statistics such as correlation and multiple linear regression were applied. The findings of the study showed that educated women had better entrepreneurship performance since they can easily use technologies and can get management experience easily. In the same way, women entrepreneurs experience to increase their profitability. Likewise, having sufficient startup capital for business, access to credit to expand an existing business, having sufficient working capital, and having had collateral to get credit are significant factors that affect women entrepreneurs’ performance. Equally, having high production capacity due to available capital, delivering a product that meets customers need with a fair price, having convenient display room and selling premises, and having good market linkages are significant factors that affect women entrepreneurs’ performance. Furthermore, having the desire for achievement, independence, wealth and having self-discovery and job satisfaction are significant determinants of women entrepreneurs’ performance. Therefore, the researcher recommends Mekelle city administration in collaboration with other NGOs who were working with women should give continuous training to enable them to be more productive. Likewise, the financial institutions in the city should arrange long-term financial credit for women entrepreneurs.