Determinants of Women Entrepreneurship in “Small and Cottage Industries” in Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

This present study aims to investigate the key factors that affect women's entrepreneurship in “small and cottage industries” within the Kathmandu Valley. Women's entrepreneurship is the dependent variable, while “economic, social, political, legal, technical, and individual factors” are considered as independent variables. The opinions of 156 respondents from 20 small and
cottage firms were collected through a structured questionnaire as the primary source of data. Correlation coefficients and regression models were used to analyze the data and determine the significance and importance of each factor in influencing women's entrepreneurship in small and cottage industries in the Kathmandu Valley.
The findings of the study indicate that economic factors have a positive influence on women's entrepreneurship. This suggests that the availability of capital and economic support leads to an increase in women's entrepreneurship. The results also reveal that social factors, such as support from family, friends, and society, have a positive impact on women's entrepreneurship.
Additionally, political stability has a positive impact on women's entrepreneurship, implying that an increase in political stability can lead to an increase in women's entrepreneurship. The study also suggests that favorable laws and policies have a positive impact on women's entrepreneurship, as do technological factors, where access to highlevel technology is associated with an increase in women's entrepreneurship. Similarly, individual factors, such as a positive attitude toward work,have a positive impact on women's entrepreneurship.