Women and apparel entrepreneurship. Issue 2 (8th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodges, Nancy; Watchravesringkan, Kittichai; Yurchisin, Jennifer; Karpova, Elena; Marcketti, Sara; Hegland, Jane; Yan, Ruoh-Nan; Childs, Michelle
• Is Part Of: International journal of gender and entrepreneurship. Volume 7:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 213
• Publication Date: 2015-06-08
• Subjects: Businesswomen -- Periodicals; Entrepreneurship -- Sex differences -- Periodicals; 338.0405
• DOI: 10.1108/IJGE-07-2014-0021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-6266

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Purpose</title> <p> – The purpose of this study was to explore strategies used by successful female entrepreneurs to manage the challenges of running a small apparel business. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Design/methodology/approach</title> <p> – A qualitative research design was used. Primary and secondary data were collected on small business in three countries: Russia, South Africa and Thailand. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 11 female small apparel business owners. Businesses ranged from tailoring and custom clothing shops, to small-scale design and production, as well as small apparel retail stores. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Findings</title> <p> – Three emergent themes highlight the similarities and differences that surfaced across the participants' narratives. Key issues within the thematic areas point to the need for these women to be creative in finding resources to start and grow their small apparel businesses, and to manage the competition that they face within this industry. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Research limitations/implications</title> <p> – It is difficult to generalize the findings of this study beyond the sample. Implications of the findings for understanding the needs of female apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners are considered. </p> </sec> <sec> <title content-type="abstract-heading">Originality/value</title> <p> – Despite the significance of women to the apparel industry as well as small business ownership, thus far, the role of women as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners has been under-examined in the literature. This study offers insight into what it is like for women seeking to succeed as apparel entrepreneurs and small business owners.</p> </sec> </abstract>