Thesis (MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Statistics from European region and sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, indicate that the construction industry is distinctly dominated by males and that women representation is very low. Literature indicates that gender-based discrimination, harsh work environment, insufficient knowledge about the construction industry and the shortage of women who are successful in construction are some of the barriers that discourage women from entering the industry. Therefore, this study focussed on the examination of the factors that contribute to the sustainability, or lack there-of women who are already in the construction industry. This study sought to find out how the women entrepreneurs who are in the industry of construction sustain themselves regardless of the many challenges they face. The study applied qualitative design and used of an interview guide as a tool for collecting data in semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province. Data was analysed using the thematic content analysis method. The discovery was that women entrepreneurs tend to give away tenders to male counterparts in order for them to do the actual work. The giving away of contracts in turn builds the experience of their male counterparts and their businesses which contributes to the women not being able to have confidence and be sustainable in the construction industry. Women entrepreneurs who managed to sustain themselves in the industry for longer periods attribute their sustainability on hiring the right people with the right skills and qualifications. These women entrepreneurs recommend that support programmes should be made available and accessible to women in the industry as well as those who are entering so that they do not fall into the trap of giving away or surrendering contracts. This study recommends that new women entrants into the industry should be mentored by women entrepreneurs who are actually doing the job to ensure their sustainability in the industry. It also recommends that the existing structures be more visible and to strengthen their support of these women.

The fastest growing segment of business development in the United States comes from small business start-ups, with 42% of these businesses being women owned. Women-owned businesses are annually 25% less profitable when compared to the average small business in the United States. Based on the theory of planned behavior, the purpose of this single exploratory case study was to investigate how women small business owners and their employees use financial strategies to increase the profitability of their businesses. Data came from semistructured interviews with 1 woman business owner and 5 business consultants who work for the women-owned small business. The use of company documents, along with the use of member checking with interview transcripts, allowed for triangulation and verification of the themes derived from the interview data. Three prominent themes emerged during data analysis: networking, motivation, and innovation. The data from the results indicated, within this one particular context, women small business owners and their employees used financial resources for networking, motivation, and innovation. Focusing on these practices could result in increased profits for other women-owned small businesses. Women small business owners and their employees may benefit from the study by expanding the knowledge gained from financial strategies to increase the profitability of their businesses. Furthermore, the findings from the study could provide women business owners and their employees with strategies to grow the business, thereby contributing to job growth and the local economy.

SMMEs contribute to socio-economic development, and play a critical role in reducing unemployment. Information and communication technology infrastructures (ICTs) impacts on the establishment, growth, and success of SMMEs and also on how enterprises manage their operational activities. This study was conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, in Gauteng province, with the objective to study SMMEs owned by women in order to identify the challenges they encounter in accessing and using ICT infrastructures. The researcher addressed issues related to ICTs in general, and then assessed the challenges preventing business owners from accessing and using ICT infrastructures in order to improve their operational capabilities. A qualitative research methodology which included explorative and descriptive approaches was used. The findings of the study revealed the following challenges which women experience in their businesses: entrepreneurial challenges, infrastructure, ICTs, family responsibilities, support from government and other relevant bodies, lack of mentoring, financial and gender inequality. / English Studies / M.A. (English)

SMMEs contribute to socio-economic development, and play a critical role in reducing unemployment. Information and communication technology infrastructures (ICTs) impacts on the establishment, growth, and success of SMMEs and also on how enterprises manage their operational activities. This study was conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, in Gauteng province, with the objective to study SMMEs owned by women in order to identify the challenges they encounter in accessing and using ICT infrastructures. The researcher addressed issues related to ICTs in general, and then assessed the challenges preventing business owners from accessing and using ICT infrastructures in order to improve their operational capabilities. A qualitative research methodology which included explorative and descriptive approaches was used. The findings of the study revealed the following challenges which women experience in their businesses: entrepreneurial challenges, infrastructure, ICTs, family responsibilities, support from government and other relevant bodies, lack of mentoring, financial and gender inequality. / English Studies / M.A. (English)

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Management: Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation Johannesburg, 2015 (March 2015) / The purpose of this research is to investigate human capital and social capital as determinants to access to finance for women SMME owners in South Africa. The study focuses on Human capital which encompasses social capital and looks at access to finance within the South African context. It does not include all other factors discussed in entrepreneurship theory. The major theories underlying this research are Social Network theory and Human capital theory. Human capital theory is viewed as formal education, skills attained and knowledge gained through informal knowledge such as prior work experience, industry experience and apprenticeship opportunities. These variables are assessed to see if they determine access to finance; which is a barrier to entrepreneurship in South Africa for SMME owners. This constraint is stressed in all The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) reports from 2009 to 2014. This paper focuses on a single gender; females and assesses these capital factors as determinants to access finance for their entrepreneurial activity. Social capital as a factor is studied as a component of Human capital and two variables are assessed: strong ties and weak ties. Access to finance is evaluated as both debt and equity for entrepreneurs. Bivariate analysis was used to test the theories for results. The results showed an importance of human and social capital for entrepreneurs in running their businesses however not all human and social capital factors were confirmed to entirely determine access to finance for the women entrepreneurs. This study can potentially assist SMME owners within South Africa, financial institutions, policy makers and support organisations for women-owned businesses with insight into what determines accessing finance for business. / MT2016

Access to growth capital, a critical factor for growing a successful, sustainable business, is a challenge for women-owned small businesses. Following the resource based theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore what capital growth strategies 6 small women-owned business leaders in the defense industry in Dayton, Ohio used to ensure business sustainability beyond the initial start-up period of 1 year. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and company documents. Methodological triangulation, member checking, reflexivity, and an audit trail were used to strengthen credibility and trustworthiness. Based on thematic analysis of the data, emergent themes included growth strategies, risk, and cultivate relationships. Participants pursued low-cost slow-growth strategies to remain viable in a highly competitive marketplace; mitigated risk by aligning business decisions with their strategic plans and diversifying their business and customer base; and cultivated relationships with government agencies, customers, partners, and employees to obtain capital to sustain and grow their businesses. The implications for positive social change include the potential to provide women-owned small business leaders with strategies to obtain growth capital necessary for sustainability, contributing to economic growth of businesses, employees, employees' families, and communities.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Albany, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-204) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Albany, 2003. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-204) and index.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Albany, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-204) and index.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration (Entrepreneurship))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Given good conditions, women can run businesses, support their families and the community, and contribute to economic growth. The lack of women’s involvement in entrepreneurship is a huge loss to the nation and society. Women make up 51.83% of the population in Rwanda, but are underrepresented in business – largely due to social customs, religion, and cultural beliefs. Society perceives women as too weak to conduct business, and prefers them to be confined to housekeeping activities and dependency on men. Interestingly, literature indicates that involving women in entrepreneurial activities help. Despite this, women in Rwanda have broken the barrier and started up business. However, they face many challenges; their businesses remain small scale compared to their counterparts. The aim of this study is to determine the challenges experienced by women entrepreneurs in Kigali. This research is significant because it attempts to identify the challenges to entrepreneurship in Kigali, by allowing the voices of women entrepreneurs to be heard. The study uses a quantitative descriptive approach. The target population was women in formal and informal business in the districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge in the city of Kigali. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from 398 women entrepreneurs after obtaining their informed written consent. The data was analysed using recent Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Findings were interpreted and discussed in a numerical narrative featuring frequency, percent, valid percent, cumulative percent, mean, and standard deviation. The results show that women entrepreneurs in Kigali experience more challenges, among others including: High shop rentals, lack of start-up capital, lack of collateral to obtain a loan, high taxes, high interest rate and high transport, and a lack of information technology skills. This study has uncovered that women entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges while running their business in Kigali. Fortunately, the solution is within reach. For instance, women entrepreneurs themselves, family, society, government, stakeholder, and researchers should work together to eradicate these challenges. Women entrepreneurs should work together in cooperatives to minimise shop rentals, possible access to capital and so forth. In addition, they can leverage their experience and know-how.