Contribution of Background and Psychosocial Variables to the Psycho-Entrepreneurial Disposition of Women Entrepreneurs : An Empirical Study

Abstract

Locus of control, conceptual understanding of entrepreneurship, and perceived ladder of success of 32 women entrepreneurs in food processing enterprises in Chennai (N=16) and Bangalore (N=16) were investigated. Locus of control scale 1 and two other scales (self-devised) to measure conceptual understanding and perceived ladder of success were used for data collection. Step-wise regression analyses on these variables were done by using background variables like, age, social category, education, years of experience in this field, monthly income, membership in associations, professional training, husband's education and present occupation. Among psychosocial variables except the dependent variables rest two variables along with a rating scale about their perception of success were also used for regression equation along with the background variables. Results revealed that social category emerged as the common predictor of locus if control, conceptual understanding of entrepreneurship, ladder of success at present and perceptions of success, which contributed negatively for the first two variables but positively for the other two variables. The socio-cultural backgrounds of the country, gender stereotyping, role-conflict, etc., were the probable reasons. Age emerged as a predictor only for locus of control. It was explained in terms of social-emotional maturity, coping styles and cognitive appraisal of stressors. Other findings were discussed in the line of socio-cultural differences, socialization and life style in both the metros. Tiny enterprises were considered to be the best suitable for Indian women and especially food processing enterprises which had its genesis long back where women were involved themselves in traditional food processing for meeting the requirement of the family needs and now it has grown to a commercial plank for their expedition. Ironically speaking, though then growth potential of food processing enterprise was high in last decade, the research on women entrepreneurs in food processing enterprises had long been carries our effectively in any of the entrepreneurial research studies in India. Literature on demographic profile of women entrepreneurs and factors or problems affecting enterprises owned by women was woefully inadequate, and limited. Moreover, the food processing entrepreneurs were mostly found in the unorganized sectors, so the status was not visible wholesomely. Women entrepreneurship in the food processing enterprises was not considerably high in India in comparison with other developing countries and developed countries, although it started much before than other countries. Several factors, which affected women entrepreneurship in India, were lack of appropriate finances, education and training, and favourable societal attitudes and familial problems. The gateways for entering the business enterprise could in the basis of background parameters and psychosocial profile, which highly indispensable for a woman entrepreneur's emergence and success. However, paucity of research in the area left no tangible and interactive picture in the issue, which was to be addressed carefully. Therefore, focusing on this could throw a new light on the attitudes and behaviour of the women entrepreneurs in establishing, managing, and sustaining their enterprises. Moreover, to do anything against the boundaries of social role could be more demanding, and at some point time social comparison with the male counterparts had a chance to affect the woman's perceptions hence, performance. In addition to that, personality characteristics of the entrepreneur played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining any enterprising activity, thus in entrepreneurial growth. The individual's personality traits and characteristics account for the entrepreneurial manifestations in any entrepreneurship development activities especially in predicting entrepreneurial success. The effects of social variables, like education, experience, family could confound the output leading to poor entrepreneurial success. The effects of social variables, like education, experience, family could confound the output leading to poor entrepreneurial success. People who believe that outcome was the result of their skill and that the situation can be controlled, might exhibit better enterprising behaviour and sustenance than those people who believe that the situation cannot be controlled and that the outcome was due to chance variables. People of the later category might not be able to prepare themselves for uncontrolled situations, as they saw no relationship between their response and reward. Research into the field of women entrepreneurs has yet to be integrated into the field of entrepreneurship research as such, has to be recognized as distinct field or sub-field of research. Research on women entrepreneurs was woefully in inadequate, more so with reference to developing countries like India. Except the early studies done on need for achievement (n-Ach) and internal locus of control by McClelland and Timmons etc. the variations within the locus of control framework for women, were not studied systematically. Some of studies have reported that internal locus of control characteristic of an entrepreneur is an important characteristic of entrepreneurs. Similarly, those with higher perceptions about the future are more conscientious in their work behaviour, and those with high perceptions of achievements always have the self-confidence and will power to excel at any pressure and to run the enterprise effectively. This made crucial to understand the psychosocial profile of women entrepreneurs, which could designate appropriate interventions in terms of policies and programmes. More precisely, this would help to identify the ground root facts and problem of women entrepreneurs so that methodologies and facilitative measures in any training programme can be developed accordingly.