The Role of Self-help Groups (SHGs) in Business Growth of Indian Nascent Women Entrepreneurs During the Pandemic Period
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Apr 17, 2022
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Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to understand the role of SHGs in business growth of nascent women entrepreneurs in the Indian context during the pandemic period. It is a primary study of 220 Indian SHG women entrepreneurs using structured questionnaire-based survey using 12 well defined variables extracted from the literature to explain the construct’s ‘role’ and ‘business growth in the context of Indian SHG women entrepreneurs. Quantitative research methodology has been adopted in the study, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data and interpret the findings. Major findings of the study state that the pandemic had caused both hindrances as well as opportunities for businesses of Indian SHG women, in this context, the role of SHGs in supporting business growth of their women entrepreneurs has been insufficient as per the respondents, SHGs need to focus upon technology-driven roles and adopt training modules for enabling online marketing platforms along with financial access, help to diversify and revive the business with modified approach. Based on the results of the study, suggestions for SHGs and policymakers in the Indian context have been put forth in order to match with the changing dynamics of the market and consumers during the pandemic. The study has increased the understanding of the needs of SHG women entrepreneurs and appropriate policy measures required for their business growth in the Indian context.
KEYWORDS: women entrepreneurs, SHGs, India, pandemic, business growth, SHGs role.
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References
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[9] Gupta, S. and Rathore, H.S. 2021. Socio‐Economic and political empowerment through self help groups intervention: A study from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India. Journal of Public Affairs, 21(1), p.e2143. DOI:
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[18] Lawshe, C.H. 1975. “A quantitative approach to content validity.” Personnel Psychology,28(1): 563–575.
[19] Laza Berger, D., and Ramdiale Soubaya, I. 2019. “Female Entrepreneurship and Capacity Building in Developing Countries: Case of Madagascar. In: Chrysostome E. (eds) Capacity Building in Developing and Emerging Countries.” Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16740-0_6
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[31] http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:iimsjms&volume=8&issue=2&article=002 (accessed on 20th August 2021).
[32] Poornima, and Ramaiah. 2019. “A Study on Entrepreneurial Challenges faced by Women SHG Members with Special Reference to Kolar. New Horizon.”International Journal of Management & Research, 7(1): 51-64.
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[36] Savaria, G., K. Manatha and C. Gangulappa. 2009. “Self Help is the Best Help in the 124 Eradication of Rural Poverty- An empirical study in Nellore district in A.P.” In Micro Credit and Rural Development, ed.A. Thakur and P. New Delhi, India: Deep and Deep Publications Pvt. Ltd.
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[38] Suchitra, S., and I. Bishnoi. 2019. “Problems and Constraints faced by SHG’s: A Study in Nayagarh district of Odisha.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331224387_Problems_and_Constraints_faced_by_SHGs_A_Study_in_Nayagarh_District_of_Odisha/citation/download (accessed on 20th August 2021).
[39] United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 2010. Information Economy Report. Geneva, Switzerland: UNCTAD.
[40] UN Women. 2020. “UN Secretary-General’s policy brief: The impact of COVID19 on women”. https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/ publications/2020/04/policy-brief-the-impact-of-Covid19-on-women (accessed 20th August 2021).
[41] UNESCO. 2021. UNESCO
[42] https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2013/08/unesco-united-nations-educational-scientific-and-cultural-organization/#:~:text=%EF%84%84- (accessed 18th August 2021)
[43] Ujagare, S., and Bhagwat, A. 2017. “Women Self Help Groups and Sustainability Indices: A Study of Successful Self-Help Groups in UruliKanchan Village, Pune District.” International Journal of Management. 8(1), 127-136.
[44] Krishnaveni, V., and Haridas, R. 2014. “Marketing constraints of women self-help groups.” The International Journal of Business and Management. 2(9): 93-99. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325300844_Marketing_Constraints_of_Women_Self_Help_Groups (accessed on 18th July 2021).
[45] Van De Ven, A. H. 1984. “Designing New Business Startups: Entrepreneurial, Organizational and Ecological Considerations.” Journal of Management, 10(1): 87-107.
[46] Savitha, V. and Rajashekhar, H. 2012. Role of selfhelp groups on the development of women entrepreneurs-A study of Mysore district, Karnataka state. International Journal of Research In Commerce & Management, 3(4), pp.77-80.
[47] Vadde, V. and Ratnam, N.V. 2014. The Impact of Self-Help Groups on Women Entrepreneurship: A Study. IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development, 11(3).
[48] WE Forum. 2020. “Our recovery from the coronavirus crisis must have gender empowerment at its heart”. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020 /05/industries-gender-women-coronavirus-covid19-economic (accessed 20th August 2021)
[49] World Bank and NRLM initiatives of SHG women during Covid 19 pandemic.2020.https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/04/11/women-self-help-groups-combat-covid19-coronavirus-pandemic-india (accessed 21st August 2021)
[50] Walker, E., and Brown A. 2004. “What success factors are important to small business owners?” International Small Business Journal, 22(6): 577-594.