Performance-oriented factors for women entrepreneurs – a scale development perspective
Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies
ISSN: 2053-4604
Article publication date: 4 June 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to conceptualize, develop and validate a scale reflecting performance dimensions of women entrepreneurs. The study intends to address the important aspects of women entrepreneur such as identifying factors influencing performance of women entrepreneur in emerging economies including India, and to develop a reliable and valid scale for measuring performance from women entrepreneurs’ perspective, which will help to explain the phenomena of entrepreneurship among women by using a holistic approach.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth literature reviews were conducted to identify manifest item measuring the latent scale dimensions. Semi-structured interview with women entrepreneurs also contributed toward item generation. A total of 1,032 valid and usable questionnaires were used for the final statistical data analysis. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) also conducted to confirm factors-item composition considered for the study.
Findings
A final scale comprising six dimensions of entrepreneurial performance has been developed. These dimensions are business environment, motivation (pull/push), training and skill development, networking and market information, socio–cultural and financial. Dimensions are reflecting perception of women entrepreneurs on performance. Psychometrically properties of the proposed scale were tested and the model fitness was established through CFA.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed scale will be beneficial for both existing and nascent entrepreneurs toward gaining awareness regarding what accounts for their performance enhancement in the respective ventures undertaken. At the same time, the finding carries implications for regulatory bodies and policymakers as well, which are engaged in drafting guidelines catering to the development of women entrepreneurship in respective economies.
Originality/value
The authors believe that the proposed scale offers superior ability to explain factors that affect the performance of women entrepreneurs in emerging economies such as India.
Keywords
Citation
Jha, P., Makkad, M. and Mittal, S. (2018), "Performance-oriented factors for women entrepreneurs – a scale development perspective", Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 329-360. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-08-2017-0053
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited