IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/cwk/ajocsl/2026-068.html

Support Network Utilisation and Business Sustainability among Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from Kabwe District, Zambia

Author

Listed:
  • Mwela, Mirriam

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

  • Muduli, Regina
  • Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

  • Mwiya, Bruce

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in promoting household welfare, employment creation and local economic development. However, many women-owned enterprises face persistent challenges in accessing and effectively utilising business support networks necessary for long-term sustainability. This study explored support network utilisation and business sustainability among women entrepreneurs in Kabwe District, Zambia. Guided by Social Capital Theory, the study adopted an exploratory qualitative case study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected women entrepreneurs representing both informal and semi-formal enterprises across diverse business sectors. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns and themes. The findings revealed that women entrepreneurs relied predominantly on informal support networks, including family members, friends, church groups, savings groups and fellow entrepreneurs, while utilisation of formal support mechanisms remained limited because of inadequate information dissemination, bureaucratic procedures, gender discrimination, financial constraints, time limitations and trust deficits. The study further established that support networks contribute to business sustainability by enhancing resilience, facilitating access to finance, business information, emotional support and productive resources. A notable finding was the emergence of organically developed peer networks as an under-recognised yet highly effective source of entrepreneurial support, fostering collaborative learning, knowledge sharing and collective resilience. The study concludes that the sustainability of women-owned enterprises depends not merely on the existence of support programmes but on entrepreneurs' ability to effectively mobilise both formal and informal social capital. It recommends strengthening information dissemination, simplifying institutional support mechanisms, promoting gender-inclusive entrepreneurship policies and recognising community-based peer networks as complementary components of entrepreneurship support systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Mwela, Mirriam & Muduli, Regina & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Mwiya, Bruce, 2026. "Support Network Utilisation and Business Sustainability among Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from Kabwe District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:cwk:ajocsl:2026-068
    DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v7.i5.1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ijcsacademia.com/index.php/journal/article/view/683
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.59413/ajocs/v7.i5.1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fridah Muriungi Mwobobia, 2012. "The Challenges Facing Small-Scale Women Entrepreneurs: A Case of Kenya," International Journal of Business Administration, International Journal of Business Administration, Sciedu Press, vol. 3(2), pages 112-121, March.
    2. Muhammad Shakeel & Li Yaokuang & Ali Gohar, 2020. "Identifying the Entrepreneurial Success Factors and the Performance of Women-Owned Businesses in Pakistan: The Moderating Role of National Culture," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(2), pages 21582440209, May.
    3. Sharmin Nahar & Mohammed Shamsul Karim & Vania Sena, 2026. "How Do Unexpected Networks Help Female Entrepreneurs in the Global South Survive in Adverse Contexts? A Case Study of Bangladesh," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 132-163, January.
    4. Mukwalikuli Mundia & Chewe Nkonde & Francis Simui & Mwiya S. Mufalali & Regina Muduli, 2023. "Cooperatives and Livelihood Improvement: Understanding the Contribution of Enterprising Agriculture Cooperatives in Rural Communities of Kabwe District, Zambia," European Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, European Open Science, vol. 5(2), pages 40-46, March.
    5. Rahabhi Mashapure & Brighton Nyagadza & Lovemore Chikazhe & Gideon Mazuruse & Precious Hove, 2023. "Women entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Zimbabwe," Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 41(4), pages 557-584, February.
    6. Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina & Mundia, Mukwalikuli & Ngoma, Kayaza & Mwiya, Bruce & Sikachelela, Jimmy, 2026. "Youth Consumer Preferences for Local vs. International Brands: Implications for SMEs in Kabwe District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(3).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Siansia, Jacqueline & Lukonde, John & Muduli, Regina & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Mwiya, Bruce, 2026. "Teacher Motivation and Retention in Rural Secondary Schools: Evidence from Chongwe District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    2. Zyola, Sharon & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina, 2026. "Beyond Price and Product: Drivers of Consumer Purchase Decisions in Zambia’s Petroleum Retail Market," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    3. Nawakwi, Suwilanji & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina & Mundia, Mukwalikuli, 2026. "Brand Image Dimensions as Predictors of Consumer Purchase Behaviour in Zambia's Solar Energy Market: Evidence from Solar Move Africa," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    4. Kunda, Mwila & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina & Muchape, Lenty, 2026. "Service Quality and Student Satisfaction in Higher Education: Evidence from a Public University in Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    5. Kaela, Wilson & Muduli, Regina & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Lukonde, John, 2026. "From Technology Acceptance to SME Performance: The Mediating Role of Digital Marketing Adoption in Kabwe District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    6. Muchape, Lenty & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina & Kunda, Mwila, 2026. "Exploring the Challenges of Digital Marketing Adoption among Small and Medium Enterprises in Kabwe District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    7. Samir Marwan Hammami & Tareq Muhammad Alhousary & Ahmad Taha Kahwaji & Syed Ahsan Jamil, 2022. "The status quo of omani female entrepreneurs: a story of multidimensional success factors," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(4), pages 2063-2089, August.
    8. Umair Baig & Batool Muhammad Hussain & Vida Davidaviciene & Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, 2021. "Exploring Investment Behavior of Women Entrepreneur: Some Future Directions," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-15, April.
    9. Wei Wan & Hong Wu & Hui-Ling Hu, 2024. "Entrepreneurial Empowerment through the Internet: A Qualitative Research on Chinese Women Entrepreneurs," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, August.
    10. Aimaq, Hasina & Rasa, Mohammad Mirwais & Islam, InamUl, 2024. "The Determinants of Innovation at Female-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises and Relevance in International Trade Dynamics: Evidence from Afghanistan," MPRA Paper 124567, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 22 Mar 2025.
    11. Batool Muhammad Hussain & Umair Baig & Vida Davidaviciene & Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, 2021. "A Thoughtful Insight on Women Entrepreneur’s Investment Attitude," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-19, December.
    12. Anurag Singh & Satyanarayana Parayitam, 2026. "National culture, entrepreneurial orientation and women entrepreneurs’ performance," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-29, March.
    13. Mashapure Rahabhi & Hamunakwadi Purity & Chiwanza Tafadzwa & Ngezimana Johnston & Masunda-Tasaranago Mercy & Makaza Casper Musiiwa & Chitongo Leonard, 2025. "Prospects and perils: The fate of small-scale mining entrepreneurs amidst esource discovery," Prosperitas, Budapest Business University, vol. 12(4), pages 1-22.
    14. Fernando Fierro & Juan Manuel Andrade, 2021. "The complex relationship between entrepreneurship and its context," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 8(4), pages 235-249, June.
    15. Elena-Loreni Baciu & Delia Vîrgă & Theofild-Andrei Lazăr & Delia Gligor & Cecilia-Nicoleta Jurcuț, 2020. "The Association between Entrepreneurial Perceived Behavioral Control, Personality, Empathy, and Assertiveness in a Romanian Sample of Nascent Entrepreneurs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-16, December.
    16. Chisanga, Kayula & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina, 2026. "Social Media Influencer Marketing and Youth Buying Behaviour: Evidence from Kabwe, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    17. Endalew Terefe Alene, 2020. "Determinants that influence the performance of women entrepreneurs in micro and small enterprises in Ethiopia," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-20, December.
    18. Ephraim Daka, 2025. "Rural Entrepreneurs and Forest Futures: Pathways to Emission Reduction and Sustainable Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
    19. Munachande, Kachinga & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina, 2026. "Assessing the Challenges Affecting Local Supplier’s Access to Public Procurement Opportunities: Evidence from Choma District, Zambia," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(4).
    20. Obed Quaicoe & Fafanyo Asiseh & Omoanghe S. Isikhuemhen, 2023. "Qualitative Analysis of Industrial Hemp Production, Markets, and Sustainability in North Carolina, United States," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-19, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:cwk:ajocsl:2026-068. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Charles G. Kamau (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://ijcsacademia.com/index.php/journal .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.