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An empirical investigation of factors affecting the performance of women entrepreneurs in Harare: a case of food vendors

Author

Listed:
  • NYONI, THABANI

Abstract

Zimbabwe, whose economy is under life support; continues to be characterized by company closures with many workers losing their jobs through retrenchments (Nyathi et al, 2018). This fragile economic situation has resulted in a number of Zimbabweans resorting to entrepreneurship as their last option. We note with kin interest that the growth of women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe has also increased significantly. This study seeks to empirically investigate the factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in Harare. The study adopts a case study approach, specifically focused on food vendors in Harare. Questionnaires consisting of structured and unstructured questions were used for data collection. The research employed purposive sampling to select the target population and 190 questionnaires were completed and analyzed. While consistent with both the psychological and economic theories of entrepreneurship, the results of this study also indicate that the performance of women entrepreneurs in the food vending sector in Zimbabwe continues to be hindered by a serious lack of adequate financial resources. The study managed to come up with two main policy recommendations that are envisioned to go a long way in improving the performance of women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe.

Suggested Citation

  • Nyoni, Thabani, 2017. "An empirical investigation of factors affecting the performance of women entrepreneurs in Harare: a case of food vendors," MPRA Paper 87523, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 31 May 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:87523
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nan Langowitz & Maria Minniti, 2007. "The Entrepreneurial Propensity of Women," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 31(3), pages 341-364, May.
    2. Sahar Bahmani & Francisco Escribano Sotos & Isabel Pardo García, 2012. "Women, Research, and Entrepreneurship," International Studies in Entrepreneurship, in: Miguel-Angel Galindo & Domingo Ribeiro (ed.), Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economics, chapter 0, pages 35-52, Springer.
    3. Heiko Bergmann & Susan Mueller & Thomas Schrettle, 2014. "The use of global entrepreneurship monitor data in academic research: a critical inventory and future potentials," International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(3), pages 242-276.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L2 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • M21 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Business Economics
    • M29 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - Other
    • M3 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising

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