PERCEIVED BARRIERS AND SUCCESS FACTORS OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS ENROLLED IN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMME

Year 2016, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 48 - 66, 01.06.2016

N. Meyer C. Mostert

Abstract

The promotion of entrepreneurship and small business development as possible solutions to job creation is a high priority for the government of South Africa as it plays a vital role in economic prosperity. Specifically, the focus is on empowering women to become entrepreneurial. Entrepreneurship training is important during all levels of education, including at the tertiary level, but also to people who may not be enrolled in a university. The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of topics pertaining to fourteen female entrepreneurs enrolled in an adult entrepreneurship programme presented by a South African University. The research methodology included a self-administered questionnaire developed by the authors and compiled from an extensive literature review. Analysis was done to identify the success factors deemed important by the respondents as well as perceived barriers to business success. The study revealed inadequate funding and finance and the inability to clarify business goals as the main barriers restricting the success of the business. In addition, customer care, quality of products or services and business skills were considered most favourable success factors. The results provide valuable insight into areas of concern as well as recommendations for further research and development in the field of female entrepreneurial growth and policy development

Keywords

Female entrepreneurship, success factors, barriers, training and education programmes, South Africa

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