9. Conclusion

Since the inception of Internet throughout the world, the use of new technologies such as social media and social network has shown rapid growth from the business and social sectors. However, it has been noticed that many rural enterprises are still not using modern technologies in promoting their businesses. Hence, the cost benefits and importance of digitalisation of rural entrepreneurship must be clearly understood and be encouraged as this will be an important promotional tool for strengthening company brand. The concept of digitalisation will improve and bring new changing trends in emerging markets including rural industries and scale up product development and product diversification, as well as promoting idea generation through use of Facebook, company emails, Company Tweets and Instagram.

#### Author details

Lawrence Mpele Lekhanya

Address all correspondence to: lawrencel@dut.ac.za

Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

#### References


[4] Patel B, Chavda K. Rural entrepreneurship in India: Challenge and problems. International Journal of Advance Research in Computer Science and Management Studies. 2013;1(2):28-36

encouraged to work together to improve ICT co-ordination and its policy development for the rural places. National governments should establish steering agencies responsible for championing and ordinating rural entrepreneurial digitalisation and modern technologies networking systems for rural communities. Since the use and awareness of social media and social network gained significant growth in many countries thus, can be good promotional tool for rural enterprises, as these will help in minimising marketing while speeding up the sales of the products. The study recommends the use of digitalisation to an able rural business to reach out international market and enhance competitive advantage. Digitalisation will improve entrepreneurial knowledge skills, will help them to know their customers better, to know their customers need, who they are, where they buy, when they buy and how they buy.

Since the inception of Internet throughout the world, the use of new technologies such as social media and social network has shown rapid growth from the business and social sectors. However, it has been noticed that many rural enterprises are still not using modern technologies in promoting their businesses. Hence, the cost benefits and importance of digitalisation of rural entrepreneurship must be clearly understood and be encouraged as this will be an important promotional tool for strengthening company brand. The concept of digitalisation will improve and bring new changing trends in emerging markets including rural industries and scale up product development and product diversification, as well as promoting idea generation through use of Facebook, company emails, Company Tweets and Instagram.

[1] Lekhanya LM. E-commerce as an instrument of governing SMEs' marketing strategy in

[2] Covin JG, Slevin DP. A conceptual model of entrepreneurship as firm behavior. Entre-

[3] Gedeon S. What is Entrepreneurship? [Online]. 2010. Available at: http://www. entryerson.com/epr/index.php/jep/article/viewFile/60/43 [Accessed: 27/25/2010]

an emerging economy. Risk Governance and Control. 2016a;6

preneurship Theory and Practice. 1991;16(1):7-25

9. Conclusion

60 Entrepreneurship - Trends and Challenges

Author details

References

Lawrence Mpele Lekhanya

Address all correspondence to: lawrencel@dut.ac.za

Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa


[20] Njoroge CW, Gathungu JM. The effect of entrepreneurial education and training on development of small and medium size enterprises in Githunguri district- Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research. 2013a;1(8):1-22

[34] Thaddeus EO. Entrepreneurship venturing and Nigeria's economic development: The manufacturing sector in focus. International Journal of Business Management and Eco-

The Digitalisation of Rural Entrepreneurship http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75925 63

[35] Rowe J. SME in Britain. Published in Knowledge at SMU. 2008. http://knowledge@SMU.

[36] Desouza KC, Awazu Y. Knowledge management at SMEs: Five peculiarities. Journal of

[37] Gao Q, Banerji S. The growth appraisal system for Chinese SMEs. Journal of Chinese

[38] Brunjes J, Dies JR. Opportunity Entrepreneurs—Potential Drivers of Non-farm Growth in Rural Vietnam? [Online]. 2012. Available at: ftp://ftp.repec.org/opt/ReDIF/RePEc/

[39] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Report. Enabling Poor Rural People to Overcome Poverty in Peru [Online]. 2013. Available at: https://www.ifad.org/

[40] SBA Factsheet. For Ireland [Online]. 2012. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/ policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/performancereview/files/countries-sheets/2012/ireland\_

[41] Duarte N, Diniz F. The role of firms and entrepreneurship on local development. Roma-

[42] Coleman G. Why Latin American Entrepreneurs are Ready for the Revolution [Online]. 2016. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/why-latin-american-

[43] Shah H, Saurabh P. Women entrepreneurs in developing nations: Growth and replication strategies and their impact on poverty alleviation. Technology Innovation Manage-

[44] Singer S, Amorós JE, Arreola DM. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2014 Global Report.

[45] VanderBrug J. The Global Rise of Female Entrepreneurs [Online]. 2013. Available at: https://hbr.org/2013/09/global-rise-of-female-entrepreneurs [Accessed: 15/09/2015] [46] African Monitor. Rural Infrastructure in Africa: Unlocking the African Moment [Online]. 2012. Available at: http://www.africanmonitor.org/assets/files/Publications/Rural%20

[47] Awang A, Khalid A, Yusof Kassim KK, Ismail M, Zain RS, Madar ARS. Entrepreneurial orientation and performance relations of Malaysian Bumiputera SMEs: The impact of some perceived environmental factors. International Journal of Business and Manage-

entrepreneursare-ready-for-the-revolution/ [Accessed: 27/06/2016]

London: Global Entrepreneurship Research Association; 2014

Infrastructure%20In%20Africa.pdf [Accessed: 01/07/2016]

documents/10180/f81cc4d3-14ac-412f-9b2a-9701b2fa6a14 [Accessed: 27/06/2016]

nomic Resources. 2011;2(6):376-381

Knowledge Management. 2006;10(1):32-43

Economic and Business Studies. 2015;13(2):175-193

pum/wpaper/wp0112.pdf [Accessed: 25/06/2016]

nian Journal of Regional Science. 2011;5(1):54-69

ment Review August. 2015;5(8):33-43

ment. 2009;4(9):84-96

en.pdf [Accessed: 09/07/2016]

edu.sg/artice


[34] Thaddeus EO. Entrepreneurship venturing and Nigeria's economic development: The manufacturing sector in focus. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Resources. 2011;2(6):376-381

[20] Njoroge CW, Gathungu JM. The effect of entrepreneurial education and training on development of small and medium size enterprises in Githunguri district- Kenya. Inter-

[21] Kapurubandara M. A framework to e-transform SMEs in developing countries. The

[22] Mahrani W, Cahyono E. The Influence of Entrepreneurial Orientation to Firm Performance [Online]. 2015. Available at: http://www.wseas.us/elibrary/conferences/2015/Seoul/MF/MF-

[23] Yoon H. The performance effects of entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from South Korean start-ups. International Journal of Arts and Commerce. 2012;1(4):248-254 [24] Chen K, Yeien J, Huang K, Huang C. Performance and its link to entrepreneurial

[25] Miller D. Revisited: A reflection on EO research and some suggestions for the future.

[26] Wang CL. Entrepreneurial orientation, learning orientation, and firm performance.

[27] Rauch A, Wiklaund J, Lumpkin GT, Frese M. Entrepreneurial Orientation and business Performance: An Assessment of Past Research and Suggestions for the Future. Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice [online]. 2009. Available at: http://www.researchgate.net/ publication/227600201\_Entrepreneurial\_Orientation\_and\_Business\_Performance\_An\_ Assessment\_of\_Past\_Research\_and\_Suggestions\_for\_the\_Future [Accessed: 14/10/2015]

[28] Gutha M. Empowerment and entrepreneurship of rural women-government initiatives.

[29] Agwu MO, Emeti CI. Issues, challenges and prospects of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Port-Harcourt City, Nigeria. European Journal of Sustainable

[30] Mazumdar M, Ahmed M. Empowerment of rural woman throughEntrepreneurship— An overview. International Research Journal of Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary

[31] EU Rural Review. EU Rural Review: The Magazine from the European Network for Rural Development [Online]. 2011. Available at: http://enrd.ec.europa.eu/enrdstatic/

[32] Benedikter S, Waibel G, Birtel S. Local Entrepreneurship in Vietnam's Rural Transformation. A Case Study from the Mekong Delta [Online] 2013. Available at: http://mpra.

[33] Johari H. The role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Country's economic development. Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research. 2012;2(10):10279-10287

fms/pdf/ED5808AC-994A-47AD-928F-0D3088716910.pdf [Accessed: 23-09-2015]

ub.uni-muenchen.de/49866/1/MPRA\_paper\_49866.pdf [Accessed: 15/10/2015]

Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing. 2009;39(3):1-24

behavior. American Journal of Applied Sciences. 2011;8(7):703-707

Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice. 1983;35(5):1-22

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. 2008;32(4):635-657

International Journal of Advanced Research. 2015;3(7):1-5

national Journal of Education and Research. 2013a;1(8):1-22

19.pdf [Accessed: 19/07/2016]

62 Entrepreneurship - Trends and Challenges

Development. 2014;3(1):101-114

Studies (IRJIMS). 2015;1(1):1-8


[48] Freeman S. Industry environment: Influence on performance of small–medium sized enterprises in Asia pacific markets [Online]. 2000. Available at: http://web.usm.my/ aamj/5.2.2000/5-2-6.pdf [Accessed: 29/06/2016]

[62] IFAD. 2012. Promoting rural enterprise growth and development: Lessons from four projects sub-Saharan Africa [Online]. Available at: http://www.ifad.org/pub/pa/field/2.

The Digitalisation of Rural Entrepreneurship http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75925 65

[63] Milovanovic BM, Wittine Z. Analysis of external environment's moderating role on the entrepreneurial orientation and business performance relationship among Italian small enterprises. International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance. 2014;5(3):224-229 [64] Ullah H, Shah B, Hassan FSU, Zaman T. Environment related factors affecting the entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Interna-

[65] Cuervo A. Individual and environmental determinants of entrepreneurship. The Inter-

[66] Akgün AE, Keskin H, Byrne J. The moderating role of environmental dynamism between firm emotional capability and performance. Journal of Organizational Change

[67] Islam AMD, Khan MA, Obaidullah ZM, Alam MS. Effect of entrepreneur and firm characteristics on the business success of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in

[68] Harvie C, Lee BC. Introduction: The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in achieving and sustaining growth and performance. 2005. http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/

[69] Govori A. Factors affecting the growth and development of SMEs: Experiences from Kosovo. Mediterranean Journal of Social SciencesMCSER Publishing Rome-Italy. 2013;

[70] Lekhanya LM. Determinants of survival and growth of small and medium enterprises in rural KwaZulu – Natal [unpublished PhD thesis]. South Africa, Cape Town: University

[71] Wanjiru NG. External Environmental Factors inFluencing China-Kenya Trade: A Case Study of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Chinese Embassy in Kenya [Online]. 2013. Available at: http://chss.uonbi.ac.ke/sites/default/files/chss/

[72] Khan FR. Socio-economic factors influencing entrepreneurship development: An empirical study across the small and medium enterprises of Chennai, state of Tami Nadu, India. International Journal of Students Research in Technology & Management. 2014;2(03):89-94

[73] Bawuah K, Buame S, Hinson R. Reflections on entrepreneurship education in African

[74] Klongpayabal R, Thawesaengskulthai N. The impact of technology characteristics of selected university research to NPD success: Case studies from Thai SMEs. International Journal of innovative Research in Science Engineering and Technology. 2014;3(3):5-26

NGUKU%20GRACE%20D61-7553920112.pdf [Accessed: 08/10/2015]

tertiary institutions. Acta Commercii. 2006. pp. 1-9

Bangladesh. International Journal of Business and Management. 2010;6(3):1-15

viewcontent.cgi?article=2327&context=commpapers [Accessed: 07.08.2015]

tional Journal of Education and Social Sciences. 2011;1(1):1-19

national Entrepreneurship and Management Journal. 2005;1(3):293-311

pdf [Accessed: 08/10/2015]

Management. 2008;21(2):230-252

of Western Cape; 2016b. pp. 1-208

4(9):701


[62] IFAD. 2012. Promoting rural enterprise growth and development: Lessons from four projects sub-Saharan Africa [Online]. Available at: http://www.ifad.org/pub/pa/field/2. pdf [Accessed: 08/10/2015]

[48] Freeman S. Industry environment: Influence on performance of small–medium sized enterprises in Asia pacific markets [Online]. 2000. Available at: http://web.usm.my/

[49] Vaillant Y, Rosell J, Viladomiu L. Informal institutional factors influencing entrepreneurial activity in rural areas [Online]. 2005. Available at: http://www.aecr.org/web/congresos/

[50] Verreynne M, Meyer D. Small business strategy and the industry life cycle. Small Busi-

[51] Ariel E, Rocha G. The Impact of Business Environment on Small and Medium Enterprise Sector's Size and Employment: A Cross Country Comparison [Online]. 2014. Available at: http://www.doingbusiness.org/specialfeatures/conference/~/media/GIAWB/Doing% 20Business/Documents/Miscellaneous/Conference2014/S3-2.pdf [Accessed: 29/06/2016]

[52] United Nations General Assembly. Entrepreneurship for Development: Report of the Secretary—General [Online]. 2014. Available at: http://unctad.org/meetings/en/Sessional

[53] Harpa E, Moca S, Rus D. A comparative study of rural entrepreneurship Romania—

[54] Stone I, Braidford P. Microbusiness Owner-Manager Mindsets and the Issue of Growth [Online]. 2015. Availble at: http://www.seaanz.org/sites/seaanz/documents/2015SEAANZ

[55] Nuiami M, Idris W, Al-Ferokh F, Joma M. An empirical study of the moderator effect of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between environmental turbulence and innovation performance in five-star Hotels in Jordan. International Journal of Business

[56] Wijbenga FH, Witteloostuijn A. Entrepreneurial locus of control and competitive strategies—The moderating effect of environmental dynamism. Journal of Economic Psychol-

[57] Li M, Simerly RL. The moderating effect of environmental dynamism on the ownership and performance relationship. Strategic Management Journal. 1998;19:169-179

[58] Iansity M. Technology integration: Managing technological evolution in a complex

[59] Dragnić D. Impact of internal and external factors on the performance of fast-growing.

[60] Covin JG, Slevin DP. Strategic management of small firms in Hostile and Benign Envi-

[61] Amoah-Mensah A. Strategic resources and performance of rural SMEs. International

Conference/SEAANZ-2015Stone-Braidford.pdf [Accessed: 30/06/2016]

aamj/5.2.2000/5-2-6.pdf [Accessed: 29/06/2016]

2005/ponencias/p113.pdf [Accessed: 28/06/2016]

Documents/a69d320\_en.pdf [Accessed: 28/06/2016]

Greece. Procedia Technology. 2016;22:1100-1105

environment. Research Policy. 1995;24:521-542

Small and Medium Businesses Management. 2014;19:119-159

Journal of Business and Social Research (IJBSR). 2013;3(4):1-13

ronments. Strategic Management Journal. 1989;10:75-87

Administration. 2014;5(2):125

ogy. 2007;28:566-589

ness Economics. 2010;35(4):399-416

64 Entrepreneurship - Trends and Challenges


[75] Jirayuth C, Un Nabi N, Dornberger U. The Effect of Technological Capability on the Performance of SMEsin Thailand [Online]. 2013. Available at: http://www.academia. edu/4010378/The\_Effect\_of\_Technological\_Capability\_on\_the\_Performance\_of\_SMEs\_ in\_Thailand [Accessed: 13/09/2014]

Nigeria. In: Proceedings of 25th International Business Research Conference; 13-14 Jan-

The Digitalisation of Rural Entrepreneurship http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75925 67

[92] Situma CMK, Musambayi NJ, Omboto PI, Yegon E. Critical analysis of entrepeneurship education on SMEs development in Kenya. The International Journal of Business &

[93] Robert-Edomi S. Skills gap hindering SME growth, study finds [Online]. 2013. Available at: https://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/news/skills-gap-hindering-sme-growth-

[94] Kalyani BPR, Kumar M. Motivational factors, entrepreneurship and education: Study with reference to women in SMEs. Far East Journal of Psychology and Business. 2011;

[95] Arogundade BB. Entrepreneurship education: An imperative for sustainable development in Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies

[96] Isaacs E, Visser K, Friedrich C, Brijlal P. Entrepreneurship education and training at the further education and training (FET) level in South Africa. South African Journal of

[97] Bosma N, Levie J. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2009 Global Report. Scotland: Global Entrepreneurship Research Association Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). 2010. 2010 Report on Higher Expectation Entrepreneurship [Online]. 2009.

[98] Visagie JC. SMMEs' challenges in reconstructing South Africa. Management Decision.

[99] Aleke B, Ojiako U, Wainwrighnt WD. ICT adoption in developing countries: Perspectives from small-scale agribusiness. Journal of Enterprise Information Management.

[100] Mazzarol T. Research review: Smes engagement with e-commerce, e-business and

[101] Mbuyisa B, Leonard A. ICT adoption in SMEs for the alleviation of poverty. International Association for Management of Technology, IAMOT 2015 Conference Proceedings [Online]. 2015. Available at: http://www.iamot2015.com/2015proceedings/documents/

[102] Egbide B, Samuel FA, Samuel FO. Empowering small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria: A key poverty alleviation strategy. International Journal of Business and Man-

[103] Aruwa S. Correlation between Expenditure on Infrastructural Development and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kaduna State [Online]. 2013. Available at:

Available at: www.gemconsortium.org [Accessed: 1/06/ 2011]

emarketing. Small Enterprise Research. 2015;22(1):79-90

uary; 2014

3(3):14-35

Management. 2015;3(1):332-338

study-finds [Accessed: 06/09/2014]

(JETERAPS). 2011;2(1):26-29

Education. 2007;27:613-629

1997;35(9):660-667

2011;24(1):68-84

P105.pdf [Accessed: 15/12/2015]

agement Invention. 2013;2(5):6-12


Nigeria. In: Proceedings of 25th International Business Research Conference; 13-14 January; 2014

[92] Situma CMK, Musambayi NJ, Omboto PI, Yegon E. Critical analysis of entrepeneurship education on SMEs development in Kenya. The International Journal of Business & Management. 2015;3(1):332-338

[75] Jirayuth C, Un Nabi N, Dornberger U. The Effect of Technological Capability on the Performance of SMEsin Thailand [Online]. 2013. Available at: http://www.academia. edu/4010378/The\_Effect\_of\_Technological\_Capability\_on\_the\_Performance\_of\_SMEs\_

[76] Lee H, Kelley D, Lee J, Lee S. SME survival: The impact of internationalization, technology resources, and alliances. Journal of Small Business Management. 2012;50(1):1-19 [77] Rootman C, Kruger J. How do small business managers influence employee satisfaction

[78] Lekhanya LM. International Business & Economics Research Journal. 2013;12(12):1563-1573 [79] Ismail W, Mokhtar M, Ali A, Rahman M. Does it help SMEs gain better performance: A conceptual analysis on RBV theory? International Journal of Management and Sustain-

[80] Walley K. Competition: What does it really mean. The TQM Magazine. 1998;10(3):186-189 [81] Lind P. Innovation as a Growth Strategy for SMEs, Lecture in SME Management in a

[82] OSMEP. Situation and Structural Indicators of SMEs in 2008 and 5-Year Changes; 2007

[84] Baloyi JK. An analysis of constraints facing smallholder farmers in the agribusiness

[85] Stokes D, Wilson N. Small business management and entrepreneurship. In: Cengage

[86] Gatukui PK, Katuse P. A review of SMEs strategic planning for growth and sustainability in Kenya: Issues and challenges. International Journal of Social Sciences and Entre-

[87] Cant M, Wiid J. Establishing the challenges affecting South African SMEs. International

[88] Malick TV, Krishnan JJ. Rural marketing strategies, issues and challenges. International

[89] Ahmed A. Rural marketing strategies for selling products & services: Issues & challenges. Journal of Business Management & Social Sciences Research (JBM&SSR). 2013;

[90] Farooqi R, Fatma G. Rural marketing strategies-issues & challenges in a developing

[91] Mohammed UD, Obeleagu-Nzelibe CG. Entrepreneurial skills and profitability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs): Resource acquisition strategies for new ventures in

Business & Economics Research Journal. 2013;12(6):707-715

economy. Indian Journal of Applied Research. 2015;5(9):438

Journal of Engineering and Management Research. 2014;4(2):116-122

[83] World Bank. Doing Business in a more Transparent World. Washington: WB; 2012

value chain: A case of farmers in Limpopo province [masters thesis]. 2010

Global Context, Autumn 2009, 1 October. Visby: Gotland University; 2009

in\_Thailand [Accessed: 13/09/2014]

66 Entrepreneurship - Trends and Challenges

ability. 2014;3(5):307-320

and commitment? Acta Commercii. 2010;10(1)

Learning; 6th International Edition; 2006

preneurship. 2014;1(10):26-41

2(1):55-60


http://www.academia.edu/305881/infrastructural\_development\_expenditure\_and\_performance\_of\_small\_and\_medium\_enterpri ses\_in\_kaduna\_state [Accessed: 11/04/2014]

[117] Nelson C. Staying Connected: Building Entrepreneurial Networks [Online]. 2004. Available at: http://fieldus.org/publications/PrimeVol6.pdf [Accessed: 31/05/2014]

The Digitalisation of Rural Entrepreneurship http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75925 69

[118] Dahlqvist J, Davidsson P, Wiklund J. Initial conditions as predictors of new venture performance: A replication and extension of the Cooper et al study. Enterprise and

[119] Gamage R. Human Capital is an Important Factor for the Success of an Organisation. 2011. http://www.academia.edu/1147775/HUMAN\_CAPITAL\_IS\_AN\_INPORTANT\_ FACTOR\_FOR\_THE\_SUCCESS\_OF\_AN\_ORGANISATION [Accessed: 12/10/2015] [120] Sriyani GTW. Human Capital and its Impact on Small Firm Success [Online]. 2010a. Available at: http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7141 [Accessed: 12/10/2015]

[121] Hilmi MF. Exploring Human Capital of Malaysian SMEs [Online]. 2010. Available at: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs\_all.jsp?arnumber=5679461&tag=1 [Accessed: 21/05/

[122] Sriyani, G.T.W. 2010b. Human Capital and its Impact on Small Firm Success [Online]. Available at: http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/7141 [Accessed 12/10/2015]

[123] Okorafor GF. Effects of human capital development on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises in the South Eastern Region of Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable

[124] Rivas LTS, Cano MG, Austria FMM. Need for Developing Human Capital Management in SMEs [Online]. 2013. Available at: http://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/viewFile/

[125] Tulus T. Entrepreneurship development: SMEs in Indonesia. Journal of Developmental

[126] LaMotte S. Employment Brand | Social Recruiting | Talent Strategy | Social Media | Personal Brands | Human Resources (HR) Strategy [Online]. 2008. Available at: http://

[127] Holmes M Jr, Miller T, Hitt MA, Salmador MP. IPO research in management and entrepreneurship: Moving the agenda forward. Journal of Management. 2013;39(2):531-

Innovation Management Studies. 2000;1(1):1-17

Development in Africa. 2010;12(8):49-58

1249/1258 [Accessed: 21/05/2014]

Entrepreneurship. 2007;12(01):95-118

susanlamotte.brandyourself.com/ [Accessed: 11/01/2015]

2014]

566


[117] Nelson C. Staying Connected: Building Entrepreneurial Networks [Online]. 2004. Available at: http://fieldus.org/publications/PrimeVol6.pdf [Accessed: 31/05/2014]

http://www.academia.edu/305881/infrastructural\_development\_expenditure\_and\_performance\_of\_small\_and\_medium\_enterpri ses\_in\_kaduna\_state [Accessed: 11/04/2014]

[104] Cassia L, Minola T. Hyper-growth of SMEs: Toward a reconciliation of entrepreneurial orientation and strategic resources. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour

[105] Wiklund J, Shepherd D. Aspiring for, and achieving growth: The moderating role of resources and opportunities. Journal of Management Studies. 2003;40(8):1919-1941 [106] Wu LY. Entrepreneurial resources, dynamic capabilities and start-up performance of

[107] Mensah S. A Review of SME Financing Schemes in Ghana. UNIDO Regional Workshop of Financing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises; Accra-Ghana; 15–16 March. 2004 [108] Ghisett C, Mazzant M, Mancinelli S, Zoli M. Do Financial Constraints Make the Environment Worseoff? Understanding the Effects of Financial Barriers on Environmental Innovations [Online]. 2015. Available at: http://www.sustainabilityseeds.org/papers/

[109] Booyens I. Are small, medium, and micro-sized enterprises engines of innovation? The

[110] Gathungu JM, Aiko DM, Machuki VN. Entrepreneurial orientation, networking, external environment, and firm performance: A critical literature review. European Scientific

[111] De Klerk S, Saayman M. Networking as key factor in artpreneurial success. European

[112] Giudici A, Reinmoeller P. Sensing together: An exploration of the support of network intermediaries to firms' and entrepreneurs' search for new opportunities [unpublished

[113] Pooe RID, Mafini C. Business development challenges in a rural district municipality in South Africa: A case of fezile dabi district municipality. The South African Journal of

[114] Besser TL, Miller N. The structural, social, and strategic factors associated with successful business networks. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development: An International

[115] Smith DA, Lohrke FT. Entrepreneurial Network Development: Trusting in the Process [Online]. 2007. Available at: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=

[116] Jamalzadeh M, Behravan N, Espahbodi S, Masoudi R. An empirical analysis of online social network determinants towards business prosperity. Business and Economics Jour-

reality in South Africa. Science and Public Policy. 2011;38(1):67-78

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. 2012;5:89-109

10.1.1.465.9903&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed: 12/10/2015]

Taiwan's high-tech firms. Journal of Business Research. 2007;60(5):549-555

RePec/srt/wpaper/0115.pdf [Accessed: 05/12/2015]

& Research. 2012;18(2):179-197

68 Entrepreneurship - Trends and Challenges

Journal. 2014;10(7):335-357

Business Review. 2012;24(5):382-399

thesis]. Granfield University; 2013

Journal. 2012;23(3-4):113-133

nal. 2012;BEJ-57:1-9


**Chapter 5**

**Provisional chapter**

**Micro-Finance: A Driver for Entrepreneurship**

**Micro-Finance: A Driver for Entrepreneurship**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.75031

Micro-finance lending has long been the answer to many rural developments around the world. It has successfully led to women empowerment and helped in enhancing the socio-economic status of women globally. Development policies and programs have often ignored women as the integral source in alleviating the growth process. The study thus examines the impact of handicrafts on the socio-economic status of women in Pakistan. It also focuses on the role played by micro-finance institutions in enabling women's micro-entrepreneurship. Women are successfully achieving a high social and economic status in countries like Pakistan through earnings from handicrafts' industry. The data is analyzed quantitatively, using inferential statistics to support the descriptive analysis. Results of the findings showed that handicrafts prove to be improving the socio-economic status of women in Pakistan and micro-finance has been at its backbone.

**Keywords:** micro-finance, women beneficiaries, chi-square, entrepreneurship

Pakistan has started embracing women in all walks of life—business women, entrepreneurs, working women, and owners. Micro-finance institutions, women beneficiaries, and natural environment have been identified as few of the indicators of this study. The key informants were samples from a leading micro-finance institution—kashf Foundation customers, who were compared with non-Kashf Foundation customers in Pakistan. Two variables have been analyzed where handicrafts are taken as the independent variable while the socio-economic status of women is taken as the dependent variable. As women have become a source of income in a country like Pakistan, they have been given the power of decision making and their status in society has also increased. Schuler and Hashmi [1], in their study of the impact of micro-credit programs initiated by Grameen Bank and Bangladesh Rural Advancement

> © 2016 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

© 2018 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75031

Asma Salman

Asma Salman

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

#### **Micro-Finance: A Driver for Entrepreneurship Micro-Finance: A Driver for Entrepreneurship**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.75031

#### Asma Salman Asma Salman

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.75031

#### **Abstract**

Micro-finance lending has long been the answer to many rural developments around the world. It has successfully led to women empowerment and helped in enhancing the socio-economic status of women globally. Development policies and programs have often ignored women as the integral source in alleviating the growth process. The study thus examines the impact of handicrafts on the socio-economic status of women in Pakistan. It also focuses on the role played by micro-finance institutions in enabling women's micro-entrepreneurship. Women are successfully achieving a high social and economic status in countries like Pakistan through earnings from handicrafts' industry. The data is analyzed quantitatively, using inferential statistics to support the descriptive analysis. Results of the findings showed that handicrafts prove to be improving the socio-economic status of women in Pakistan and micro-finance has been at its backbone.

**Keywords:** micro-finance, women beneficiaries, chi-square, entrepreneurship
