The role of business networks in influencing enterprising behavior among women in SME’s in Tanzania: the case of Dar es Salaam
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Date
2012
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The objective of the study was to study how networks influence enterprising behavior among business women in SMEs in Tanzania. The study used Dar es Salaam as a case study, interviewing a total of 180 individuals comprising of 139 Females and 41 Males The results showed women start business network through groups of friends or and family members, they start as a social network and turn into business network as most women share similar challenges and want to overcome them together. The networks have enabled women to perform better in their business. The business network help them meet new or potential customers thus increase client base, get references from group members, easy of joint collateral in financing firms and generally have chance to forge valuable beneficial business relationships. The study also found out that business women encounter limitations in their business networks related to culture. They are still supposed to stay indoors and perform domestic work, or face societal discrimination and multi tasks consume a lot of their time which their enterprising moves. Contrary, men are outgoing have enough time to work out network and have easier access to finances as compared to women, hence more earnings than women do. The study has implications to knowledge and policy. The study recommends government and women entrepreneurs to overcome those obstacles and ensure women entrepreneurs to continue contributing to the economy and empower themselves economically.
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Available in print form
Keywords
Women in business, Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania
Citation
Mwambije, T. J (2012) The role of business networks in influencing enterprising behavior among women in SME’s in Tanzania: the case of Dar es Salaam, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. (Available at http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx)