ABSTRACT
This study is aimed at examining the challenges
of women in starting a business enterprise in Nigeria with reference to textile
seller in Lagos Island. The specific
objectives include: (i) to examine the factors that motivate women enterprise with
the sector; (ii) to determine the relationship between the factors that
motivate women entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in business (iii) to
examine the relationship between the factors that motivate women entrepreneurs
and their type of business ownership; (iv) to determine if there is
significant relationship between environmental factors and women
entrepreneurial motivation. The data
required for this study was gathered through the instruments of questionnaire,
in-depth interview and participant observation.
Five hundred and seventy (570) copies of questionnaires were
administered out of which four hundred and twenty two (422) copies of the
questionnaires were collated for the analysis.
To achieve the objectives of this study, four hypotheses were formulated
from the structure of research questions.
Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), chi-square, and descriptive analysis and
other statistical tools were used in testing these hypotheses. The results show significant relationship
between motivational patterns of women entrepreneurs and their performance; the
challenges they face in business; their type of business ownership and
environmental factors. Based on these findings and for policy implications, the
study suggests that more women should be encouraged to start business and be
equipped with managerial skills for effective performance.
