A Case Study of Women Entrepreneurs in Trichyrappalli District

Abstract

It is difficult to theorise, in general, terms, the phenomenon of entrepreneurship. Almost each of the entrepreneurs is a case by itself, and rarely are they identical in every respect. The better methodology for studying the evolution and development entrepreneurship would be the "case-study" analyses which could give a penetrating insight into the cases from their own perspectives. It is in this background the present study seeks to make a case study of women entrepreneurs located in Tiruchirappalli District. There are some interesting diversities. But one striking inference from most of the cases is that those women facing serious challenges in their domestic life/familial circumstances have taken to enterprises, out of economic necessity. The spinsterhood, widowhood (hence forced self-dependence), poor economic strength of the family (husbands income being too inadequate to run the household) happen to be the motivating/driving force behind the women becoming entrepreneurs. These women who, out of force of circumstances, became entrepreneurs tend to respond positively to the challenges (mostly unexpected) and rise to the occasion. The following is a case study of 12 women entrepreneurs engaged in varied production / trade activities including gem cutting, Grocery, Medicine Wholesale, Paper Bag, Tailoring, Sottu Neelam, Flour Mill, Book Binding, Bakery, Vermi Compost Uram and Star Aquarium.