Factors and challenges influencing female migrant entrepreneurship: An empirical study in India

Abstract

Currently, migrant entrepreneurship grows rapidly in the globe. This research study is an attempt to investigate factors and challenges influencing female migrant entrepreneurship in the business landscape of India. The research question leading the study is: ‘What factors are responsible to impact on the rise of female migrant entrepreneurship in India and what challenges female migrant entrepreneurship faces?’ To answer the question, the study has employed the semi-experimental and observational research methods of quantitative research design. To investigate the impacts of push and pull factors on female migrant entrepreneurship, semi-experimental research method has been employed while investigating challenges the observational research method has been considered in the study. Data were collected from 250 female migrant entrepreneurs using closed-ended questionnaires and a survey. The study has found that the pull factors of government policy, independence in business, financial gain, marketing facility, access to resources and work life, all positively influence female migrant entrepreneurship. Accordingly, discontent with the trading climate in one’s native country, unemployment and individual goals positively impact on female migrant entrepreneurship by pushing female migrant entrepreneurs to India’s trade landscape to initiate a business. The findings concluded that the pull factor of ‘availability of infrastructure’ doesn’t influence female migrant entrepreneurship while the push factor of ‘limitation in the growth of trade in the home country’ positively influences female migrant entrepreneurship. The study has also revealed that the challenges of identity crisis, language barrier, cultural difference in trade, administrative procedures, market competitiveness, financial instability, and discrimination based on foreignness influence female migrant entrepreneurship in India. However, based on the results, the challenges of currency exchange barrier and communication barrier in the entrepreneurial process of female migrant entrepreneurship in India have been found insignificant. This study will help policymakers to make a good policy for the growth and development of female migrant entrepreneurship in India by providing with the knowledge of push and pull factors and challenges of female migrant entrepreneurship.