Social impacts of rural women's small businesses in Iran

Small business (SB) as a business often belongs to the private sector and has a limited number of personnel. Economically, SBs are regarded as another instrument for economic and social growth that plays an important role both in decreasing unemployment rate and increasing job opportunities. While the rural women have a vital role in national economy, their role is not adequately taken into consideration. Employment of rural women in SBs may first promote family income; and second, improve the rural living standards. In Iran's economy, like many other countries, indeed, much of private sector activities are related to the SBs. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the social impacts of small businesses owned by rural women in Iran. A quantitative methodology, mainly a survey research design, was employed in the study. The research target population included all small businesses run by rural women in the country, out of which a sample of 415 respondents was randomly selected. To collect data, a questionnaire was administered. In addition to descriptive methods, factor analysis was utilised to analyse the data. In this study, three key elements were identified as factors affecting rural women's small businesses namely: psycho-social, economic, and satisfaction of living factors.