AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Yıl 2017, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 35 - 51, 01.06.2017

Evelyn Omayemi Aneke Evelyn Derera Mapeto Bomani

Öz

The potential of the South African economy to achieve desired growth is greatly
hampered by the systematic exclusion of women entrepreneurial activity in the key
industries that drive the economy. One such industry is the construction industry
that contributes positively to the South African’s economy. Yet, this industry is
highly male-dominated. Despite seeming improvements in women’s
entrepreneurial participation in different industries, there is still a huge gap between
the percentages of men and women participating in the construction industry,
particularly from a small business perspective. The construction industry has
remained largely closed to women entrepreneurs and posing overwhelming
challenges to the few women who have found their way into the industry. This study
explores these challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in the construction
industry as well as the strategies adopted by these women to overcome some of the
obstacles they encounter in the construction industry in Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa. Qualitative data was collected using in-depth interviews from a sample of
16 women entrepreneurs. The snowball sampling technique was used to identify
the participants. Content analysis was used for data analysis. The results revealed
that women face deeply rooted socio-cultural challenges, particularly patriarchal
attitudes in the construction industry. The strategies used by the women to overcome some of the challenges include partnering with male business owners
when bidding for construction jobs and forming reliable business networks. It is,
therefore, important for policy makers to engage more with women running small
businesses in the construction industry in order to develop a deeper understanding
of the nature of these challenges. Support should be tailor made to mitigate the
specific challenges.

Anahtar Kelimeler

women entrepreneurship, small businesses, construction industry, challenges, South Africa