Demographic and Social Capital Influences on Women Entrepreneurs’ Empowerment: Evidence from Women-Led Ventures in India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/hvz10k05Keywords:
Women Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial Empowerment, Social Capital, Demographic Factors, Entrepreneurial EcosystemAbstract
Women’s entrepreneurship has emerged as a significant driver of inclusive economic growth, gender equality, and sustainable development, particularly in emerging economies such as India. Despite supportive policy initiatives, women entrepreneurs continue to face structural, institutional, and socio-economic challenges that affect their empowerment and business performance. This study examines the influence of demographic factors and social capital on multiple dimensions of women’s entrepreneurial empowerment, including psychological, economic, decision-making, and institutional aspects. Primary data were collected from 317 women entrepreneurs across diverse sectors using a structured questionnaire, and the analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and multiple regression techniques. The findings reveal that empowerment is multidimensional and varies across different factors. Marital status and regional context significantly influence economic empowerment, while education and ownership structure have a significant impact on decision-making empowerment. In contrast, psychological and institutional empowerment do not show significant variation across demographic categories. The regression results further confirm that structural and institutional variables play a more critical role than individual characteristics in shaping empowerment outcomes. The study highlights the importance of strengthening financial accessibility, institutional support, and entrepreneurial ecosystems to enhance women’s empowerment. By integrating demographic and social capital perspectives, the research contributes to the literature on women entrepreneurship and offers policy insights for promoting inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial development.
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