Factors Influence In Creating Competitive Environments Of Micro-Level Women Entrepreneurs In Puducherry

Abstract

Micro-level women entrepreneurs face many challenges, among them facing competition is most severe one. In this context, the researcher studied the factors influenced in creating competitive advantages of micro level women entrepreneurs in Puducherry district. The sample size is 545 micro level women entrepreneurs and collected primary data using questionnaire. The researcher applied the statistical tools of percentage analysis, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and chi-square test for analysis. The results of the study revealed that the new or existing entrepreneurs believe that there is high profit in the type of businesses done by the respondents, hence they start such businesses in the area, and it creates tough competitive environments. The factors favorable business environments in the study area, opening of new shops in the area and large customer base for the business in the study area also highly influenced in creating competitive environments for women entrepreneurs in the study area. The factor availability of vacant shops influenced at very low level in creating competitive environments followed by the factors of low investments for the business and narrower employment opportunities since they entered the business. The study also found that significant association was identified in the level of influence of factors in creating competitive environments based on the social variables (‘Age’, ‘Education’ and ‘Family Types’), the economic variables (‘Monthly Income’, ‘Initial Amounts of Investments’ and ‘Monthly Turnover’), the business related variables (‘Ownership Type’, ‘Business Type’, ‘Place of Business’, and ‘Experience in Business’) and the competition related variables (‘Existence of Similar Business’, ‘Duration of Competition’, ‘Competition Level’, ‘Ability to Identify’, ‘Type of Competitor’ and ‘Competency to create competition’).