Women Entrepreneurship in West Bengal: Problems and Motivations

Abstract

The owners of tiny manufacturing units are required to look into every aspect of their business from sourcing raw materials, labours for production to marketing, collection of payments, keeping accounts etc. In addition to this, women entrepreneurs also do compulsory household duties. In a survey of 180 women owned manufacturing units done in four districts of West Bengal during 2010-12, owners identified some specific personal, social and business problems. Personal and social problems include Time Management, Decision Making Stress, Unawareness, Gender Bias, Lack of Confidence, Lack of Family support etc. Business problems include Shortage of Fixed and Working Capital, Non-availability of Raw Materials, Marketing, Labour and Legal problems etc. In fact finance and marketing are two major impediments. 42% of the sample respondents did not take any bank loan. They are averse to risk taking, operate at tiny level and face this problem throughout their business career. Marketing involves a large number of activities including research, product development, distribution, pricing, advertising and personal selling, sales promotion and packaging. Tiny units cannot afford to have separate and well organised marketing system. Most of the entrepreneur’s time is spent on production activities. She has little knowledge and market information relating to her product. Labour problems include irregularity, poor workmanship and tendency to quit jobs without giving prior information and in few cases disobedience as the employer is a woman.