NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED
STATISTICS
ACADEMIC YEAR:
2010
THE IMPACT OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ON ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT OF RWANDA
Case study: Expo 2010 at Rwanda Private sector federation
Gikondo from 26th/8 to 8th/9/2010
Dissertation submitted to the faculty of economics and management as a
partial fulfillment for the award of bachelor's degree in applied statistics by
the National University of Rwanda.
Prepared By: HIRWA Pacifique
Supervisor: Ms. NIWEMAHORO Celine
Huye, October, 2010
DEDICATION
To Almighty
GOD,
For your immeasurable help, mercy and grace,
To my beloved foster mother,
For her immeasurable help, care and advices
To my family and friends,
For your care, love and help
To my late mother
This dissertation is dedicated.
DECLARATION
I, HIRWA Pacifique, a student at the National University of
Rwanda, Faculty of Economics and Management (FEM), Department of Applied
Statistics (DAS), hereby declare that this dissertation entitled
«The impact of women entrepreneurs on economic development of
Rwanda a case study of Expo 2010 at Rwanda Private sector federation Gikondo
from26th/08 to 8th/9/2010» is my own
work and it has not been submitted anywhere for the award of any degree.
Name of the student: HIRWA Pacifique
Signature of the student
....................................
Date 8t/10/2010
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The following work is not only an individual work .I could
never have accomplished it without help, support, guidance and efforts of a lot
of people to whom I owe my thanks. I would like to gratefully and sincerely
thank all individuals who helped me during my education career. Here I want to
mention my beloved foster mother MUKABASHIMA Agnes for her advices, financial
support, encouragement, moral support, my family member especially my brother
BYIRINGIRO Jean Pierre, NSHIMIYIMANA Jean Pierre and all my family, friends all
your advices, moral, love has contributed to successful accomplishment of this
work.
I would like to thank my research supervisor Ms. NIWEMAHORO
Celine for her immeasurable commitment, effort, positive criticisms and
willingness to spare and given up her scarce time to help me acquire new skills
in Statistics .I have to recognize that without her devotion and skills, this
work would not have been done.
I also have great pleasure to thank the Faculty Management and
economic especially applied statistics department's lecturers for their
devotion and professionalism showed during my undergraduate studies.
It would be ungrateful to forget to thank all women
entrepreneurs who agreed to answer my questionnaires, in Expo 2010 chosen for
my study. Without their answers and recommendations, this work would have been
meaningless.
I would also like to thank all those who have, in various
ways, supported me during this work, and whose their names are not written
here, that they find here the expression of my deep recognition.
I say God bless you all
HIRWA
Pacifique
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION
i
DECLARATION
ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
iv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
vii
LIST OF TABLES
ix
LIST OF FIGURES
x
LIST OF APPENDICES
xi
ABSTRACT
xii
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1
1.1. Background to the study
1
1.2 Statement of the problem
2
1.3 Objectives of the study
3
1.3.1 General objective
3
1.3.2 Specific objectives
3
1.4 Research hypotheses
4
1.5 Significance of the study
4
1.6 Methodology
4
1.6.1 Primary data
4
1.6.2 Secondary data
5
1.6.3 Data processing
5
1.6.4 Data analysis
5
1.7 Scope of the study
5
1.8 The Organization of the Study
6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
7
2.1. Introduction
7
2.2 Definitions of the concepts
7
2.2.1 Entrepreneurship
7
2.2.2 Entrepreneur
7
2.2.3 Historical background of
Entrepreneurship
7
2.3 Women entrepreneurship
8
2.3.1 Women entrepreneurship in the global
economy
8
2.3.2 Women entrepreneurship in Africa
9
2.3.3 Women entrepreneurship in Rwanda
11
2.4 Economic development
11
2.4.1 Definition
11
2.4.2 Women Entrepreneurship and economic
development
12
CHAPTER THRE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
13
3.1. Introduction
13
3.2 Sources of data
13
3.2.1 Primary Data
13
3.2.2 Secondary Data
14
3.3 Sampling techniques
14
3.3.1 Area of study
14
3.3.2 Population
14
3.3.3 Sample size determination
14
3.4 Data processing
15
3.5 Data analysis
15
3.6 Limitation to the study
16
CHAPITER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
17
4.1. Introduction
17
4.2 Socio-economic characteristics of women
entrepreneurs in EXPO 2010
17
4.2.1. Demographic characteristics of women
entrepreneurs in EXPO 2010
18
4.2.2 Cross tabulation between business type
and age of respondents, marital status, education background
19
4.2.3 Reasons why women become
entrepreneurs
21
4.2.4 Source of finance when they become
entrepreneurs
22
4.3 Analysis of the contribution of women
entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda
23
4.3.1 Contribution of women entrepreneurs to
community employment
23
4.3.2 Contribution of women entrepreneurs to
export development
24
4.3.3 Contribution of women entrepreneurs to
local development
25
4.3.4 Presentation and analysis of Contribution
of women entrepreneurs to family development
27
4.3.4.1 Improvements in lifestyle of women
entrepreneurs after becoming entrepreneurs
27
4.3.4.2 Impact of the increase in family size on
current monthly expenditures of women entrepreneurs
29
4.3.5 Analysis of women entrepreneurs' economic
situation before and after becoming entrepreneur
30
4.3.5.1 Comparative analysis of monthly savings
30
4.3.5.2 Comparative analysis of monthly
expenditures
32
4.3.5.3 Comparative analysis of working capital at
the start and currently in business
34
4.3.6 Analysis of the challenges faced by women
entrepreneurs
35
4.3 Results interpretation and hypothesis
testing
36
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
38
5.1 Summary
38
5.2 Conclusion
39
5.3 Recommendations
39
REFERENCES
41
APPENDICES
43
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
ADB : Africa Development Bank
ANOVA : Analysis of Variance
FHH : Female Headed Household
GDP : Gross Domestic Product
GE : Global Entrepreneurship
GEM : Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
GNP : Gross National Product
MSMs : Micro-Small and Medium sized Enterprises
NGOs : Non Government Organizations
NISR : National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda
OECD : Organization of Economic Cooperation and
Development
RWF : Rwandan Franc
RPSF : Rwanda Private Sector Federation
SAMEN : South Africa Women entrepreneurs' Network
SAWE : South Africa Women Entrepreneurs
SMEs : Small and Medium Enterprises
SPSS : Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
UNIDO : United National Industrial Development Organization
USA : United States of America
WB : World Bank
WBSR : World Bank Study Report
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1: Demographic characteristics of the
respondents
18
Table4.2: Cross tabulation between sector of
activities and the three variables in table 4.1
19
Table 4.3: Number of employees by sector
23
Table 4.4: Family size of women entrepreneurs
29
Table4.5: Model Summary
29
Table 4.6: ANOVA Table
29
Table 4.7: Coefficients
30
Table 4.8: comparison of monthly mean savings
31
Table4.9: Test about mean monthly savings
31
Table 4.10: comparison of mean monthly
expenditures
33
Table 4.11: Test about mean monthly expenditure
33
Table 4.12: Mean working capital at the start and
after
34
Table 4.13: Test about mean working capital
34
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure4.1: Reasons why women become
entrepreneurs
21
Figure4.2: Source of finance
22
Figure 4.3: Market for women entrepreneurs
24
Figure 4.4: activities women contribute more in the
development of the society
26
Figure 4.5: Changes in live standards after
becoming entrepreneurs
28
Figure 4.6 Mean monthly savings before and after
becoming entrepreneurs
32
Figure 4.7: Challenges faced by women
entrepreneurs
35
LIST OF APPENDICES
Questionnaire on women entrepreneurs in expo 2010 at Rwanda
Private Sector Federation GIKONDO from 26th/August to
8th/September 2010
ABSTRACT
Women entrepreneurs in Rwanda have been making a significant
impact in all segment of the economy. Women entrepreneurs in Rwanda contributes
to the development of Rwanda in various ways, the study's purpose were to
extend the existing few statistical baseline on women entrepreneurs'
contribution to economic development of Rwanda and their challenges.
The research hypothesis state that there is positive
correlation between women entrepreneurs' economic improvements and increase in
their family welfare, savings, Export promotion, job creation. The hypothesis
also states that the challenges that women entrepreneurs are facing affect
their performance. To test this hypothesis primary data were collected on 60
women entrepreneurs in expo 2010, and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential
statistics were used to present and analyze the contribution of women
entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda.
The results from the research analysis has shown that women
entrepreneurs contribute a lot to the development of Rwanda 40% of women
entrepreneur participate in decision making at local level, they contribute to
national savings since their mean monthly savings contribution is 186,300 Rfw,
only 36.7% of women entrepreneurs sell outside of their immediate local
markets, women entrepreneurs (51%) contribute a lot in tax payment. The 60
women entrepreneurs included in the study have created 2439 jobs for
themselves, their family and others (or an average of 40 per women
entrepreneur).Therefore, the large majority (38.33%) of the women entrepreneurs
had to depend on cooperatives for start-up finance. Research findings also show
that 38.3% of women entrepreneurs faced the problem of lack of market while
21.67% lack trainings.
The recommendations given to the government of Rwanda for the
development of women entrepreneurship were to increase women entrepreneurs'
trainings, reduce taxes, enable raw materials for women entrepreneurs and
expand the market for women entrepreneurs.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background to the study
Increasing the number of women entrepreneurs involved in
starting new businesses is critical for a country's long-term economic growth
(GEM 2000). In addition to their economic and income-generating activities,
women assume multi-faceted roles in society, i.e. as breadwinner of a family,
unpaid family workers, service providers in the communities and
mother/care-taker of the family In spite of their important contributions to
socio-economic development; women suffer from various constraints, which
inhibit them from fully realizing their potential for development (UNIDO 2003).
Africa has enormous unexploited potential, especially the
potential of women. Specifically, it pointed out that women comprise one of
Africa's hidden growth reserves, providing most of the region's labor, but
their productivity is hampered by widespread inequality in education as well as
unequal access to land and productive inputs (World Bank report 2000). African
women entrepreneurs follow a path that is in most cases different from
entrepreneurial activities in the developed countries of the West in an attempt
to find an African answer to the applicability of models and theories developed
in other parts of the world. In Africa, Many women tend to be in small sector
microenterprises, mainly in the informal sector. It is inappropriate and
undesirable for Africa to import entrepreneurial techniques wholesale from
developed countries (SAMEN 2005).
In east Africa Women-owned businesses in Kenya are making a
significant contribution to the Kenyan economy. Their businesses account for
about one-half (48 percent) of all micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises
(MSMEs), which contribute around 20 percent to Kenya's GDP. Of the 462,000 jobs
created annually since 2000 in Kenya, 445,000 jobs have come from the informal
sector, where 85 percent of women's businesses are found (IFC 2008) while in
Tanzania Women entrepreneurs still remain disadvantaged compared to their male
counterparts. At 80.7 percent, the labor force participation rate for women in
Tanzania is slightly higher than for men, which is 79.6 percent. Yet, more than
twice as many men than women are in paid jobs, with only 4 percent of women,
compared to 10 percent of men in formal employment. Women tend to predominate
in agriculture and trade while men predominate in manufacturing, construction,
transport and finance (IFC 2008).
However Given a bigger population projection of
10,117,029(NISR; 2008) the government of Rwanda play a key role for
entrepreneurship development for women because women can also perform better in
entrepreneurship activities. Rwanda is world leader in promoting gender
equality, In just over a decade reforms in the political and legislative arena
have placed women's empowerment at the forefront of government's priorities and
granted women in Rwanda sweeping rights, In that aftermath of the genocide,
they were seen as key to the country's recovery and development (IFC 2008),
Rwanda is one of the Sub-Sahara African countries that has
made greater strides in Promoting gender equality and empowerment of women as
evidenced in its achievements: (i)The reduction of poverty among Female Headed
Households (FHH) from 66.3 percent to 60.2 Percent (between 2001 and 2006) and
expected to further decline to 48 percent by 2012; (ii)Gender parity in primary
education; (iii) gender equality in participation in policy making (56 Percent
share of women in parliament); and (v) the institutional structure for gender
Mainstreaming established (Africa Development Bank report 2008). As a result of
these reforms, 41 per cent of Rwandan businesses are now owned by women as
compared for instance with 18 per cent in Congo. They also comprise 58% of
enterprises in informal sector which accounts for 30% of GDP and they make a
significance contribution to the country's economy through their business
activities which are well distributed across sectors (World Bank 2008).
1.2 Statement of the problem
In the global economy women are an emerging force that policy
makers cannot afford to ignore. What are the implications of this for
businesswomen throughout the world? How can women business associations best
channel this potential and maximize it to improve the status of women in the
world economy? (Susanne E. Jalbert 2000).Increasing entrepreneurship among
women and providing needed capital to women entrepreneurs are decisive
components in Africa's long-term struggle for prosperity. These are deserving
of the attention and widespread support of world leaders, the development
institutions whose actions they influence, and the private sector (World Bank
report 2000).
According to the Rwanda has the second-highest ratio of female
entrepreneurs in Africa, behind Ghana with 44 per cent World Bank (2008)
however according to NISR 2005/2006 integrated household living condition
survey, 60,2% of household under poverty line are female headed,86.3% women
(71.2% men) are engaged as labourers and other unskilled workers, only 14.8% of
women earn cash money and it is generally agreed that 80% of agricultural share
of GDP is contributed by women.
Topic of women in entrepreneurship has been largely neglected
both in society in general and in the social sciences Brush (2002) In-depth
information on the share of women as owners of micro, small and medium
enterprises, the area of concentration, challenges, and opportunities and
strengths and weaknesses of their economic associations and networking is
limited.
Given the achievement and increase role of Rwanda women
entrepreneurs in the development of Rwanda there are still problems and
achievements that need to be investigated and this study attempts to identify
achievement and problems within women entrepreneurs in Rwanda, despite all
these constraints, women in Rwanda are key players in economic and social
development.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The objectives of the study were categorized as general and
specific objectives as shown below:
1.3.1 General objective
This study aiming at gathering all statistical baseline data
on the contribution of women entrepreneurs on the economic development of
Rwanda the case of expo 2010 held at Gikondo.
1.3.2 Specific objectives
· To identify challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and
how they are addressed.
· The contribution of women entrepreneurs to the
development of their families
· To investigate the contribution of women entrepreneurs
to economic development of Rwanda through taxes, job creation, export, savings,
export and economic development of their society.
· To propose and give recommendations for the promotion
of women entrepreneurship.
1.4 Research hypotheses
· There are positive correlation between the increase in
women entrepreneurs' economic improvement and the increase in family welfare,
increase in job creation, savings, and economic development of the society as a
whole.
· Poor or good performance of women entrepreneurs depend
on challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
1.5 Significance of the
study
The lack of gender statistics in various areas makes
evidence-based planning and Resource allocation difficulty (NISR; 2010).
According to OECD (2004), while without a doubt the economic impact of women is
substantial, we still lack a reliable picture, describing in detail that
specific impact.
The study will give detail information for people interested
in improving their knowledge about women's performance in Rwandan economy on
characteristics of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda (age, marital status, income,
Number of children, Education,..) that will enlighten the Rwandan society more
about the role of women in socio-economic development and it will alert
planners on the current situation of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda by providing
update information and analysis from the state of women entrepreneurship in
expo 2010.
After investigating the problems of women entrepreneurs in
Expo 2010 organized by Rwanda private sector federation, the study will give
recommendations and solutions to some problems hindering the development of
women entrepreneurship.
1.6 Methodology
The study intends to assess the impact of women entrepreneurs
on the development of Rwanda through the study of 60 women entrepreneurs in
Expo 2010. The study will use both primary and secondary sources of data.
1.6.1 Primary data
Data observed or collected directly from first-hand
experience.
According to Gilbert A. Churchill (1992), primary data refers
to the information collected specifically for the purpose of investigation at
hand. «Audrey et al (1989) adds that «primary sources come straight
from the people or workers you can collect.» The primary data method will
be used where sample women entrepreneurs will be asked using Questionnaire in
other to assess their contribution to economic development of Rwanda.
A questionnaire which is According to business dictionary
(2009) a list of a
research or
survey questions
asked to
respondents,
and designed to extract specific
information,
was designed and it helped the researcher to get information on a sample of 60
women entrepreneurs in expo 2010 at Gikondo.
1.6.2 Secondary data
The research will use secondary data methods to get additions
information not provided by the primary data such as literatures that will help
the comparability with other countries.
1.6.3 Data processing
Data will be entered in statistical software like Excel, SPSS
which enabled to correct, to code, to edit, and to make statistical analysis
regarding the findings in questionnaire.
1.6.4 Data analysis
This
form of
analysis is
just one of the many steps that must be
completed when
conducting a
research
experiment.
Data from various
sources is
gathered, reviewed, and then analyzed to form some sort of finding or
conclusion.
Data from different questionnaire after being entered in an
SPSS 16 database will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential
statistics to test the relationship between variables.
1.7 Scope of the study
The study was carried in Kigali city at Gikondo in Expo 2010
which was organized by the Rwanda Private sector Federation (RPSF) from
26th/08 to 8th/9/2010.
Rwanda International Trade Fair is one of Rwanda's major
annual events organized by Private Sector Federation (PSF), in conjunction with
the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Such events started far back in 1978, by
then organized by the ministry of commerce itself and opened to international
participation mainly from neighbouring countries in 1998.
The researcher chose expo 2010 as case study because of many
women entrepreneurs in the country were represented. The Private Sector
Federation in conjunction with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, for the
13th time organised the Rwanda International Trade Fair (RITF2010).
This time, it was the ever biggest, colourful, high standards of stands
construction, and big number of exhibitors with lots of exciting things both
qualitatively and quantitatively which attracted so many visitors.
The study aimed at discovering all information related to the
impact of women entrepreneurs on the economic development of Rwanda by using
questionnaire on a sample of 60 women entrepreneurs in expo 2010.
The research findings will be generalized in the country
situation so that to give suggestion and recommendation relating to the
development women entrepreneurs development.
1.8 The Organization of the
Study
The study is composed of five main chapters
Chapter one is the General introduction of the study, with a
brief description of the background to the study followed by the statement of
the problem, Research objectives, Research hypothesis, significance of the
study, scope of the study and finally the organisation of the research.
Chapter two is the literature review it provides the
background and context for the research problem. It should establish the need
for the research and indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about the
area.
Chapter three is the methodology adopted in the study. It
contains area and scope of the study, study population, sample, sample size and
selection of respondents, sources of data, data collection and entry
methods.
Chapter four analyses and interpretation of the findings this
chapter will deal with research findings and interpretations of results.
Chapter five conclusion and recommendations.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Introduction
Chapter is concerned with literatures related to the research.
It gives overall researches that have been done on the impact of women
entrepreneurs on the economic development of Rwanda and enable the researcher
to analyze and expand knowledge on the topic. This will help the researcher to
draw conclusions and analyze based on other researches done on the topic.
2.2 Definitions of the
concepts
2.2.1 Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the process of creating something new with
value by devoting the necessary time and effort, assuming the accompanying
financial, psychic, and social risks, and receiving the resulting rewards of
monetary and personal satisfaction and independence (Hisrich 2005).
Entrepreneurship is more than the mere creation of a business.
Seeking opportunity, taking risks, and having the tenacity to push ideas into
reality are special characteristics that permeate individuals. Entrepreneurship
is a integrated concept that has revolutionized the way business is conducted
(Kuratko 2004).
2.2.2 Entrepreneur
In its broadest sense an entrepreneur may be described as a
person who has the ability to explore the environment, identify opportunities
for improvement, mobilize resources and implement actions to maximize those
opportunities. He is the catalyst of change able to carry out new combinations,
instrumental in discovering new opportunities (volsee 1994).However for
Schumpeter (1934) the entrepreneur is not a risk bearer, unless he or she owned
the resources as well, but rather was the driving or key agent of change.
2.2.3 Historical background of
Entrepreneurship
According to Bygrave and Hofer (1991), entrepreneurship
researchers are hampered by the lack of a common conceptual framework for the
concept entrepreneurship. The lack of consensus on the meaning of this term
makes it imperative that researchers provide a clear statement of their meaning
when they use it. Bygrave and Hofer offer such a meaning by considering the
process of entrepreneurship rather than defining the term "entrepreneur." In
their work, the entrepreneurial process "involves all the functions,
activities, and action associated with the perceiving of opportunities and the
creation of organizations to pursue them" (Bygrave & Hofer 1991). Bygrave
and Hofer's hesitancy to offer a single definition of entrepreneurship is
perhaps caused by an embarrassment of riches. The concept of entrepreneurship
has such a complex tradition within economic theory that formulating a succinct
definition is extremely difficult, and any attempt to do so will inevitably
exclude a valuable element of this history. An outline of the development of
the term entrepreneurship will illustrate this point.
Like Bygrave and Hofer, Long (1983) notes that it is important
to come to a common definition of entrepreneurship. To this end, long provides
an historical account of the development and uses of the term. The root of the
word can be traced as far back as 800 years, to the French verb entreprendre,
or "to do something." Three hundred years later, a noun form of the term
appeared, and soon thereafter both verb and noun entered the English language.
In 1730, Richard Cantillon used entrepreneur to mean a self-employed person
with a tolerance for the risk he believed was inherent in providing for one's
own economic well being. Toward the beginning of the Industrial Revolution
(1830), Jean-Baptiste Say further expanded the definition of a successful
entrepreneur to include the possession of managerial skills.
Today Entrepreneurship is the dynamic process of creating
incremental wealth. The wealth is created by individuals who assume the major
risks in terms of equity, time and/or career commitment or provide value for
some product or service. The product or service may or may not be new or
unique, but value must somehow be infused by the entrepreneur by receiving and
locating the necessary skills and resources (Hisrich 2005).
2.3 Women
entrepreneurship
2.3.1 Women entrepreneurship in
the global economy
"Entrepreneurship offers tremendous opportunities for women
across the world by opening doors to greater self-sufficiency, self-esteem,
education, and growth - not only for the women themselves, but also for their
families and their employees. And women are changing the face of business
ownership internationally; between one-quarter and one-third of the world's
businesses are owned by women. As their numbers grow and as their businesses
prosper, they will change the way the world does business."(Julie R. Weeks
2001).
Worldwide, many women are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship
emerges from an individual's creative spirit into long-term business ownership,
job creation, and economic security. Women bring commitment and integrity
because they care about economic empowerment, entrepreneurial development and
innovation. Female entrepreneurs seek the professional and personal support
that is found in business associations. Economic globalization has encouraged
the expansion of female business ownership. «.. . The growing economic
power and influence of women-owned businesses are changing the shape of the
global economy,» Susanne E, (Jalbert 2000).
A study (Cooper, as quoted in Das, 2000) of women
entrepreneurs in the western world «proposed that three factors influence
entrepreneurship - antecedent influences (i.e., background factors such as
family influences and genetic factors that affect motivation, skills and
knowledge), the «incubator organization» (i.e., the nature of the
organization where the entrepreneur was employed just prior to starting a
business; the skills learned there) and environmental factors (e.g., economic
conditions, access to venture capital and support services, role models) and
the study indicates the challenges faced by women entrepreneurship such as
access to finance, Access to markets, Access to training, Access to networks,
Access to policy markers, Statistical invisibility».
Female entrepreneurs have demonstrated the ability to build
and maintain long-term relationships and networks, to communicate effectively,
to organize efficiently, to be fiscally conservative, to be aware of the needs
of their environment, and to promote sensitivity to cultural differences. The
global impact of women entrepreneurs is just beginning to gain intensity.
Worldwide, the number of female business owners continues to increase steadily,
women in advanced market economies own more than 25% of all businesses1 and
women-owned businesses in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America are
growing rapidly (OECD 1998).
2.3.2 Women entrepreneurship in
Africa
The inability of African's economy to turn the tide of
underdevelopment -low food production levels, balance of payment difficulties,
inflation, rapid population growth, low or negative GDP growth rates, high cost
of borrowing declines in social services and standards, etc, have brought to
the fore discussions on the role of women entrepreneurs and the development of
the informal productive sector in Africa (LUCIA Quachey 2005).
Lately, attention has begun to fall on the use and benefits of
alternative approaches' to development. It is this new policy setting that
brings about the need to explore the potential contribution of women
entrepreneurs in the informal and small scale industrial sector to Africa's
economic recovery and development.
Entrepreneurship in all its diversity in Africa provides a
dynamic and potentially efficient means of meeting many of the emerging
challenges of the development and debt crisis in Africa.
However Entrepreneurship in the African context remains
concerned with the graduation of informal sector ventures with a realistic
business prospectus to better established and endowed enterprise, as well as
promotion of economic diversification, export to niche market, future growth
and higher living standards .
The World Bank Enterprise surveys (2002-2006) confirm that
women entrepreneurs are a minority compared with their male counterparts.
However, there is large variation across countries. Including only
manufacturing enterprises with at least 10 employees, women own fewer than 10
percent of firms in Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania, but up to
40 percent or more in Botswana, Cameroon, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Increasing entrepreneurship among women and providing needed
capital to women entrepreneurs is decisive components in Africa's long-term
struggle for prosperity. Pro-active measures to build the assets of women and
to connect women to markets are essential if Africa is to succeed in meeting
the challenges of shared growth. A distinguishing characteristic of African
economies is that gender differences lead to men and women playing
substantially different economic roles (African Development Bank 1994-2000).
Although the research on African women entrepreneurs is
limited, anecdotal evidence supports the belief that the creation of SMEs and
the income generated by business operations and wages paid to employees help to
alleviate poverty and empower women. Despite the growing recognition of the
importance of African women's contributions to economic growth and their
dominance of certain sectors, particularly agriculture and textiles, women
generally remain marginalized, shut out of the formal economy, or constrained
due to lack of access to capital (Africa Development Bank1994-2000).
2.3.3 Women entrepreneurship in
Rwanda
Rwanda is a world leader in promoting gender equality. In
just over a decade reforms in the political and legislative arena have placed
women's empowerment at the forefront of government's priorities and granted
women in Rwanda sweeping rights. In the aftermath of the genocide, they were
seen as key to the country's recovery and development (IFC 2008).
Women's labor force participation is significant,
with participation rates at a high 79.5 percent, and over 50 percent
of the labor force.7 Rwandan women head 42 percent of all enterprises. They
also comprise 58 percent of enterprises in the informal sector, which accounts
for 30 percent of GDP, and they make a significant contribution to the
country's economy through their business activities, which are well distributed
across sectors (IFC 2008).
According a to the same report, A 2002 study of women
entrepreneurs found that the majority are engaged in the retail sector (82 per
cent), with the rest focusing on services (16 to 17 percent) and manufacturing
(1 to 2 percent). Many of their businesses are successful and large, and as
some of the case studies in this report illustrate, Rwandan women are
increasingly branching out to nontraditional sectors such as Information and
Communications Technology (ICTs).
2.4 Economic
development
2.4.1 Definition
Economic development refers to
Qualitative
measure
of
progress in
an
economy
It refers to
development and
adoption of new
technologies,
transition from
agriculture based
to
industry based
economy, and general
improvement in
living
standards
(Igor Sharshakov 1998).
For fidelis ezeala-harrison (1996), economic development is a
process through which overtime sustained increase occur in nation's per capita
real income(output) accompanied by significant structural changes that allow
for elevated income distribution and large increase in individual economic
well-being . And the rise in income must be evident through such changes in
basic living conditions as improved nutrition and high nutritional and clothing
standards, improved (modern) housing, improved health and health care, low
infant mortality rate, higher literacy rate, and a general environmental
face-lift from a predominantly rural to an increased metropolitan flavor.
2.4.2 Women Entrepreneurship
and economic development
Overholt (1986) pointed out that the role of women in
development has become increasingly an important issue in recent years and this
has been due to the shift of emphasis away from equity concern to the
recognition role of the productive roles women play and the contribution they
can make to economic growth and development.
«... Study after study has shown that there is no
effective development strategy in which women do not play a central role. When
women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately: families are
healthier and better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And
what is true of families is also true of communities and, in the long run, of
whole countries...» (Kofi Annan 2003).
«Women are the Third World's powerhouse. They produce
a staggering 60 percent of all food, run 70 percent of small-scale businesses
and make up a third of the official labor force - in addition to caring for
families and homes. Yet, their status rarely reflects this enormous and vital
contribution. By any measure - income, education, health, land ownership, legal
rights or political power - women get a raw deal. The poorest of the poor are
usually women because discrimination cuts off their escape routes from poverty
- education, health services, equal pay employment, access to land and finance.
It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that there will only be sustainable
development in the Third World when women play an equal part in decision
making. No developing country can afford to ignore women's existing and
potential economic contribution, or their pivotal role in determining the
health and welfare of a nation's children. All the evidence points to one
conclusion: economic growth and improvement in the quality of life for everyone
is faster in areas where women's status is higher." (Dr. Suryani Motik
2000).
Augmenting rates of enterprise births in local areas and the
facilitation of the development of new women-owned firms can have positive
impacts on job creations, productivity growth, tax revenues, the availability
of goods and services and the provision of positive role models.
Entrepreneurship among women is important for local development and for
economic development more broadly (OECD 2003).
CHAPTER THRE: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
3.1. Introduction
This chapter consists of the methodology used to collect,
process, analyze and interpret data for the study on the impact of women
entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda.
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the
research problems. It may be understood as a science of studying how research
is done systematically. In it we are studying the various steps that are
generally adopted by a researcher in studying his research problem along with
the logic behind them (Kumar 2008).
According to the same researcher, Research methods may be
understood as all methods, techniques that are used for conducting of research.
Research methods or techniques thus refer to the methods the researcher use in
performing research operations.
3.2 Sources of data
3.2.1 Primary Data
Audrey (1989) states that primary sources
come straight from the people you are researching from and are therefore the
most direct kinds of information you can collect.
The researcher used primary data in which interview techniques
was used to get some information that have not been studied on, the researcher
designed a questionnaire which enabled to assess the contribution of women
entrepreneurs on The economic development of Rwanda Primary data was collected
in expo 2010.
Grinnell and Williams (1990) defined a questionnaire as set
of written questions which calls for responses on the part of the respondents
and be either self-administered.
A set of open-ended and close-ended questions were used in the
research to which consisted of 19 questions divided into two part, part one
consisted of demographic information of the women entrepreneur Age, Marital
status, Education, Business type, Number of children and dependents, Part two
consisted of economic information of women entrepreneurs their savings, Family
expenses, sources of finance, reasons of being entrepreneur, Contribution to
development of Rwanda, number of employee, their market and challenges.
Face to face interview was used using the questionnaire where
the researcher asked women entrepreneurs in Expo face to face questions from
the questionnaire.
3.2.2 Secondary Data
The researcher used secondary data that is generally taken
from magazine, newspaper, text books, official documents, published reports,
internet, statistics, bulletins and other documents they will enable the
researcher to get information that are not covered in Primary data methods such
as literatures on women entrepreneurs that was used in literature review.
3.3 Sampling
techniques
3.3.1 Area of study
In the study, the area of study is the area which the research
will be carried out. The research was carried out in Expo 2010 held at Rwanda
Private Sector Federation at Gikondo.
3.3.2 Population
Grinnell and willaims (1990:118), defines population as a
totality of persons or objects which the study is targeting.
The population of study was 150 women entrepreneurs where the
sample size of 60 women entrepreneurs were determined using the formula of
slovin (1960) and the study targeted women entrepreneurs who live in Rwanda
because the study was to find the contribution of women entrepreneurs in the
development of Rwanda foreigner women entrepreneurs were not concerned by the
study.
3.3.3 Sample size
determination
Sampling is the process which involves taking a part of the
population, making observation on these representative groups and then
generalizing the findings to the bigger population (ary 1991).
To determine the ideal sample size for a population, Slovin's
formula is used which is
n = N / (1 +
(N*e2))
Where: n = number of samples N = total
population e = margin of error
N= 150 women entrepreneurs in expo 2010
E=margin error of 10% or 0.1. According to Cochran (1977), 90%
confidence interval is more reliable.
Sample size =150/ (1+150*0.12) = 60 women
entrepreneurs
3.4 Data processing
Data from 60 questionnaires were entered in an SPSS database
that enabled the researcher to summarize correct errors, analyze or
otherwise
convert
data into usable
information. The SPSS
data entry form contains all collected on variables like monthly savings,
monthly expenditures, and working capital at the start both at the start of the
business and currently in the business.
3.5 Data analysis
Data analysis is defined in business dictionary (2009) as
the
process of
evaluating
data using
analytical and logical reasoning to
examine each
component of
the data provided.
After data processing data from 60 women entrepreneurs were
analyzed using SPSS 16, and excel 2007.Descriptive statistics were used where
bar chart, cross tabulation table and frequencies tables were used to present
the findings. In descriptive statistics also the researcher calculated the
mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum, sum for some numerical
variables.
Inferential statistics has been used especially to test the
relationship between some dependent variables and independents variables using
linear regression to test the relationship between the increase in family size
and monthly expenses of women after becoming entrepreneurs. Paired- sample T
test were used to test the differences between mean monthly savings,
expenditure, and working capital both at the start and currently in the
business.
3.6 Limitation to the
study
During the research process, the researcher encountered some
limitations that delayed the work. Among the limitations encountered include
the following:
Access to statistics on women entrepreneurs, during this
research, the researcher had to gather scarce statistics from different places
the access to such statistics were a problem so the researcher decided to
design a questionnaire since most of the statistical data on women
entrepreneurs needed were not available.
Another limitation was to reach all the population of women
entrepreneurs in expo it were costly and time consuming.
The last limitation encountered it was to ask women
entrepreneurs while dealing with the clients. Women entrepreneurs some did not
have time to answer the researcher because they were busy dealing with the
clients and sometimes the customers interrupted the researcher so the
researcher had to wait until the customers are gone.
CHAPITER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS
4.1. Introduction
The main concern of this chapter is to
analyze data collected in EXPO 2010 on women entrepreneurs, then to interpret
the results and test the hypotheses so to generate reliable knowledge on women
entrepreneurship in Rwanda. The analysis intends to test whether economic
situation of women entrepreneurs has improved since they started their own
businesses. To achieve this goal, the comparative analysis (using
paired-samples T test) will be performed on savings, expenditures and working
capital patterns. Ultimately, this chapter provides an analysis on the
contribution of women entrepreneurs to economic development of Rwanda through
reduction of unemployment, fostering exports, and participating to government
budget through tax payment.
4.2 Socio-economic
characteristics of women entrepreneurs in EXPO 2010
The women entrepreneurs concerned with in this study belong to
different socio-economic and demographic categories, and the sources of the
funds they use in their businesses differ.
4.2.1. Demographic
characteristics of women entrepreneurs in EXPO 2010
Table 4.1: Demographic
characteristics of the respondents
|
Variables
|
Frequency
|
Percent
|
Age
|
less than 20
|
1
|
1.7
|
20-39
|
28
|
46.7
|
40-49
|
20
|
33.3
|
50-59
|
8
|
13.3
|
60 and above
|
3
|
5.0
|
Total
|
60
|
100.0
|
Education
|
primary education
|
25
|
41.7
|
secondary education
|
28
|
46.7
|
university education
|
7
|
11.7
|
Total
|
60
|
100.0
|
Marital status
|
single
|
12
|
20.0
|
married
|
36
|
60.0
|
Divorced
|
1
|
1.7
|
widowed
|
11
|
18.3
|
Total
|
60
|
100.0
|
Source: Primary data
The Table 4.1 shows that 1.67% of the respondents are less
than 20 years old, 5% are between 20-39 years old, 13.33% are between 40-49
years old, 33.33% are between 50-59 years old and 46.67% are 60 and over. The
table also depicts a high concentration of women entrepreneurs in the age
bracket of 20-39.
Table 4.1 shows that the interviewed women entrepreneurs in
Expo having completed primary school represent 41.7% of the sample. Secondary
education has been completed by 46.7%; and tertiary education was completed by
only 11.7% of the sample.
Table 4.1 also indicates that 1.7% of women entrepreneurs are
divorced, 18.33% are widowed, 20% are single, and 60% are married. It is
evident that a greatest number of women entrepreneurs are married and the
smallest number of them is divorced.
4.2.2 Cross tabulation between
business type and age of respondents, marital status, education background
The women entrepreneurs are engaged in miscellaneous sectors
of activities depending on their ages, marital status and educational
background as highlighted by table 4.2.
Table4.2: Cross
tabulation between sector of activities and the three variables in table
4.1
Variables
|
Sector of activities
|
Total
|
Manufacturing
|
Trade and services
|
Art and craft sector
|
Age
|
less than 20
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
20-39
|
3
|
12
|
13
|
28
|
40-49
|
3
|
2
|
15
|
20
|
50-59
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
8
|
60 and above
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
Total
|
9
|
18
|
33
|
60
|
Education
|
primary education
|
2
|
5
|
18
|
25
|
secondary education
|
5
|
10
|
13
|
28
|
university education
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
7
|
Total
|
9
|
18
|
33
|
60
|
Marital status
|
single
|
2
|
8
|
2
|
12
|
married
|
3
|
9
|
24
|
36
|
Divorced
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
widowed
|
3
|
1
|
7
|
11
|
Total
|
9
|
18
|
33
|
60
|
Source: Primary data
The Table 4.2 indicates the relationship between the type of
business and three variables which are age bracket, marital status and
education background of women entrepreneurs.
For the variable age bracket of women entrepreneurs and
business types, The table 4.2 shows that 28 of women entrepreneurs (3 in
manufacturing, 12 in trade and services, 13 in art and craft) are concentrated
in age bracket of 20-39; It shows that 20 of women entrepreneurs (3 in
manufacturing, 2 in trade and services 15 in art and craft) are concentrated in
age bracket of 40-49;The age bracket of 8 women entrepreneurs (2 in
manufacturing, 2 in trade and services, 4 in art and craft) is between 50-59
years; the table 4.2 shows that 3 women entrepreneurs (1 in manufacturing,1 in
trade and services, 1 in art and craft) their age bracket is 60years and above,
the result from table 4.2 also shows that 1 women entrepreneurs (trade and
services) s in age bracket of less than 20 years.
The table4.2 also shows the relationship between business type
and educational background, It shows that the total of 9 women entrepreneurs
are in manufacturing sector 2 of them has studied primary school, 5 of them has
studied secondary school and 2 of them studied at university level.
The table shows that the total of 18 women entrepreneurs in
trade and services 5 of them has studied primary school, 10 of them studied
secondary school and 3 has studied university.
The table above also depicts that 33 women entrepreneurs in
art and craft sector 18 of them has studied primary school, 13 of them has
studied secondary school and 2 of them has studied university.
Lastly table 4.2 shows the relationship between business type
and marital status, it shows that a total of 9 women entrepreneurs in
manufacturing sector 2 of them are single,3 of them are married, 1 of them is
divorced and 3 of them are widowed. The total of 18 women entrepreneurs in
trade and services 8 of them are single, 9 of them are married and 1 of them is
widowed. In the total of 33 women entrepreneurs in art and craft 2 of them are
single, 24 of them are married and 7 of them are widowed.
4.2.3 Reasons why women become
entrepreneurs
There are many reasons that make women make decision to become
entrepreneurs. The figure 4.4 depicts the main reasons.
Figure4.1: Reasons why
women become entrepreneurs
Source: Primary data
The figure 4.1 above indicates that 46.67% of the respondents
stated that they needed to be independent and self-employee as the government
encourages people to become entrepreneurs;
21.67% stated that they had too little income and needed more
income to improve their life standards; 16.67% stated that they were unemployed
or lost their jobs; 13.33% stated that they have no education background enough
to search for jobs so they decided to become self employed; 1.67% stated that
she became entrepreneur after being handicap.
4.2.4 Source of finance when
they become entrepreneurs
Figure4.2: Source of
finance
Source: Primary data
The figure 4.2 above show that when asked about the sources of
finance they used at the start of being entrepreneur, 12 out of 60 (20%) stated
that they used they own savings or their own funds; 9 out of 60(15%) stated
that they used commercial banks loans, 23 out of 60(38.3) stated that they got
money from cooperatives and they work in cooperative, 12 out of 60(20%) stated
that they got money from friends and relatives, 4 out of 60(6.7%) stated that
they got money from NGOs or other sponsors.
4.3 Analysis of the
contribution of women entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda
After the presentation of women entrepreneurs' socio-economic
characteristics of women entrepreneurs this part show how the analysis of data
collected in Expo were analyzed according to research questions. It shows how
the economic situation of women entrepreneurs has increased as a result of
being entrepreneurs by comparing their monthly savings, expenditures, and
working capital both before and after being entrepreneurs. It analyzes how
women entrepreneurs contribute to family development, Unemployment reduction,
Export, local development and the challenges they face.
4.3.1 Contribution of women
entrepreneurs to community employment
Women entrepreneurs contribute to job creation in Rwanda by
creating and giving jobs for their neighboring communities as indicated in the
table below.
Table 4.3: Number of
employees by sector
Business type
|
Number of employee
|
Percentages
|
Art and handicraft
|
2130
|
87,3
|
Manufacturing
|
213
|
8,7
|
Trade and services
|
96
|
4,0
|
Grand total
|
2439
|
100
|
Source: Primary data
The table 4.5 above shows that women entrepreneurs asked in
Expo 2010 contribute to community employment since the total number of
employees they employ is 2439. Art and handicraft sector employ 87.3% of total
employees because it composed with a combination of many activities which
require sometimes working in cooperatives; 8.7% of total employees are in
manufacturing sector which can extend depending on the raw material they use;
3.9% are employed in trade which show that trade does not employ many
people.
The results show that many women entrepreneurs are in art and
handcraft sector and they employ many people.
4.3.2 Contribution of women
entrepreneurs to export development
Women entrepreneurs provide goods and services to the market
which are either for final consumption or intermediate consumption which are
used in the market system.
Some may export their product which boost the capital from
abroad and had impact on the GDP of Rwanda and some import goods and services
as for resale or raw material for their factory which also has an impact on the
balance of payment.
Figure 4.3: Market for
women entrepreneurs
Source: primary data
The figure 4.3 shows that It is evident that 63.33% of the
women entrepreneurs produce their product for local market which mean sector
market, District market, Province level, and at national market, 16.67% export
their market at regional level in east Africa markets, and some African
countries,20% export their products in Europe, USA, Japan and others
countries
Since women entrepreneurs in Expo who said they export their
product is 36.7% they are many compare to other who said they import the raw
material from abroad they present 10% of the sample. Most of women
entrepreneurs exporters are in art and handicraft sector since most of them has
mentioned the country of export. Women's contributions to
Rwanda's exports are garnering international attention and increasing women's
incomes
4.3.3 Contribution of women
entrepreneurs to local development
Women entrepreneurs contribute to the development of the
society through tax payment, they give contributions in for construction local
schools, hospitals, and they give advises of all nature for the development of
their community as indicated in the bar chart.
Figure 4.4: activities
women contribute more in the development of the society
Source: Primary data
The Figure 4.4 above shows that women entrepreneurs contribute
a lot to the development of their society since they responded according to the
activities they think they contribute more to the development of Rwanda. 51.7%
stated that they pay many taxes which are used by the government in various
activities that the government of Rwanda is engaged in, essential government
operations such as infrastructure projects, military and educational systems,
paying salaries, public investments, and financing various projects; while 40%
stated that they participate in decision making at local level which mean that
they help orphans, they give vocation trainings at local level for other women
to become entrepreneurs, vacancy jobs to students, they participate in taking
decisions regarding the development of their districts, sector, cells, some
stated that they help homeless, some stated that they pay for poor people
health mutual funds, some said they give seeds to poor people for agriculture
development, some pay school fees for the youth;8.3% others stated that they
contribute to environmental protection, they give extra contribution for local
security, they give contribution in constructing a local school.
4.3.4 Presentation and analysis
of Contribution of women entrepreneurs to family development
As part of the development, development starts at home and
expands to other after raising the wellbeing of the family. Women entrepreneurs
contribute to the development of their families since they provide nutrition,
school fees, good health, and sometimes they had a big family after the table
indicating how their life style has raised as a result of being entrepreneurs
we will analyze how an increase in the family size (number of dependent+ Number
of children) may affect the increase in current monthly expenses.
4.3.4.1 Improvements in
lifestyle of women entrepreneurs after becoming entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs indicated that after becoming
entrepreneurs their life standards has changed some stated that they bought a
car or motorbike other stated that they constructed a house etc which show the
increase in their quality of life.
Figure 4.5: Changes in
live standards after becoming entrepreneurs
Source: Primary data
The Figure 4.5 above shows how being entrepreneurs has helped
women entrepreneurs improve their life standards. Results show that
entrepreneurship enabled 28.33% of the sampled women to construct a house,
8.33% bought a car or a motorbike, 36.67% managed to pay school fees for their
children or dependents in primary, secondary school and for some at university
level, it help 16.67% of them to pay their family health mutual funds,1.6% is
at the level in which she has paid money for her family for recreation and
leisure in parks,8.33% consist of other specific contribution to the family
not quoted like, feeding the family with quality food, it helped me buy animal
for husbandry, it helped me become a land owner, It helped access to clean
water.
4.3.4.2 Impact of the
increase in family size on current monthly expenditures of women
entrepreneurs
Women entrepreneurs has sometimes a big family in which they
had to contribute much for their well being.
Table 4.4: Family size
of women entrepreneurs
|
|
N
|
Minimum
|
Maximum
|
Sum
|
Mean
|
Std. Deviation
|
Children and Dependents
|
60
|
1
|
16.00
|
390.00
|
6.5000
|
3.12724
|
Valid N (listwise)
|
60
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table 4.4 shows that the mean family size of women
entrepreneurs is composed by 6.5 people; the maximum family size is composed of
16 people compared to the minimum family size which is composed of 1 people.
The total family size of 60 women entrepreneurs is 390. The tables below
analyze how the increase in family affects monthly expenditures of women
entrepreneurs after becoming entrepreneurs.
Table4.5: Model
Summary
|
Model
|
R
|
R Square
|
Adjusted R Square
|
Std. Error of the Estimate
|
1
|
.254a
|
.065
|
.048
|
81324.18468
|
a. Predictors: (Constant), Children and Dependents
|
Table 4.6: ANOVA
Table
|
Model
|
Sum of Squares
|
df
|
Mean Square
|
F
|
Sig.
|
1
|
Regression
|
2.648E10
|
1
|
2.648E10
|
4.003
|
.050a
|
Residual
|
3.836E11
|
58
|
6.614E9
|
|
|
Total
|
4.101E11
|
59
|
|
|
|
a. Predictors: (Constant), ChildrenandDependents
|
|
|
b. Dependent Variable: Currently in the business?
|
|
|
Table 4.7:
Coefficients
|
Model
|
Unstandardized Coefficients
|
Standardized Coefficients
|
t
|
Sig.
|
B
|
Std. Error
|
Beta
|
1
|
(Constant)
|
64120.104
|
24382.374
|
|
2.630
|
.011
|
ChildrenandDependents
|
6773.830
|
3385.570
|
.254
|
2.001
|
.050
|
a. Dependent Variable: Currently in the business?
|
|
|
|
Table 4.8 indicates the model summary it shows that R square
statistic indicates that 4.8 % of total variation of family size is explained
monthly expenses. It is evident that the total variation is very small since it
is 4.8% not more than 50%.
Table 4.9 which is the ANOVA table indicates that the model is
significant at 95% confidence interval since the p-value is 0.05=0.05.
Table 4.10 indicates the relationship between the increase in
family size and current monthly expenses using a model. The result shows
Y=64120.104+6773.830x1(family size)
As explained by the model, increase in family size by 1 person
influences monthly expenditure by 6,774 because the increase in family size is
followed by increase in education fees, nutrition, and other expenses related
to a large family.
The regression coefficient is statistically significant since
p-value is 0.05=0.05 alpha value and the result is extraordinary since it is
not less or more than 0.05.
4.3.5 Analysis of women
entrepreneurs' economic situation before and after becoming entrepreneur
This part is concerned with the analysis of women
entrepreneurs' situation before and after becoming entrepreneurs, it gives an
overview on the improvements made by women entrepreneurs as a result of being
entrepreneurs. In this part the researcher uses paired-sample T-test to test
differences between means monthly savings, monthly expenses and mean working
capital both at the start and currently in the business.
4.3.5.1 Comparative
analysis of monthly savings
This part highlights the comparison between monthly savings of
women entrepreneurs before and after becoming entrepreneurs using paired sample
T-Test.
Table 4.8: comparison of
monthly mean savings
Paired Samples Statistics
|
|
|
Mean
|
N
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
Pair 1
|
Monthly savings before becoming entrepreneur
|
35800.00
|
60
|
56760.215
|
7327.712
|
Monthly savings after becoming entrepreneur
|
186300.00
|
60
|
197388.570
|
25482.755
|
The table 4.11above show that the mean monthly savings of
women entrepreneurs before becoming entrepreneurs was 35,800 Rfw and after
becoming entrepreneurs it shifted and become 186,300 Rfr which represents an
increase of 420%
Table4.9: Test about mean
monthly savings
Paired Samples Test
|
|
|
Paired Differences
|
t
|
df
|
Sig. (2-tailed)
|
|
|
Mean
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
|
|
|
Lower
|
Upper
|
Pair 1
|
Monthly savings before becoming entrepreneur - Monthly savings
after becoming entrepreneur
|
-1.505E5
|
1.688E5
|
2.179E4
|
-1.941E5
|
-1.069E5
|
-6.908
|
59
|
.000
|
Table 4.13 indicates that the mean monthly savings of women
entrepreneurs before and after becoming entrepreneurs differ. we reject null
hypothesis at 95% which states that the mean monthly savings before becoming
entrepreneur equal mean savings after becoming entrepreneurs since p-value is
0.000<0.05. It is evident that being entrepreneurs has helped women to
increase their monthly savings. The figure below help to compare monthly
savings before and after becoming entrepreneurs.
Figure 4.6 Mean monthly
savings before and after becoming entrepreneurs
Source: Primary data excel analysis
As indicated in figure4.6 the maximum monthly savings before
being entrepreneurs was 220,000 and the mean was 35,800.After becoming
entrepreneurs their monthly savings has increased the maximum monthly savings
become 900,000 Rfw and the mean become 186,300 Rfw.
It is evident that women entrepreneurs contribute to the
development through their savings, which according to monetary theory savings
foster investments and contribute to capital accumulation of the country.
4.3.5.2 Comparative
analysis of monthly expenditures
Women entrepreneurs have various expenses which help the
researcher to compare their monthly expenses before and after becoming
entrepreneurs. This analysis show how being entrepreneur has affected their
expenses using paired-sample t test.
Table 4.10: comparison of
mean monthly expenditures
Paired Samples Statistics
|
|
|
Mean
|
N
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
Pair 1
|
Before being entrepreneur
|
47363.3333
|
60
|
46177.05780
|
5961.43253
|
After being entrepreneur
|
108150.0000
|
60
|
83368.25088
|
10762.79491
|
The table4.13 above show how the mean monthly expenditure has
increased after becoming entrepreneurs. Before becoming entrepreneurs the mean
expenditure was 47,363 Rfw and it become 108,150 Rfw after becoming
entrepreneurs which represent an increase of 128%.
Table 4.11: Test about
mean monthly expenditure
Paired Samples Test
|
|
|
Paired Differences
|
t
|
df
|
Sig. (2-tailed)
|
|
|
Mean
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
|
|
|
Lower
|
Upper
|
Pair 1
|
Before being entrepreneur After being entrepreneur
|
-6.07867E4
|
5.44037E4
|
7.02349E3
|
-7.48406E4
|
-46732.70402
|
-8.655E0
|
59
|
.000
|
The table 4.14 above indicates that the mean monthly expenditures
of women entrepreneur before and after becoming entrepreneurs differ. We reject
null hypothesis which states that mean monthly expenditure before and after
becoming entrepreneur are equal, since at 95% confidence interval the p-value
is 0.00<0.05 alpha value.
In a country's economic wellbeing expenditures create wealth for
a country because it is an income for business, transport, agriculture etc. The
result indicates that being entrepreneurs had a positive impact on expenditure
patterns.
4.3.5.3 Comparative
analysis of working capital at the start and currently in business
The comparative analysis using paired sample t test help to
analyze how working capital of women entrepreneurs at the start of the business
and currently in the business has increased or decreased.
Table 4.12: Mean working
capital at the start and after
Paired Samples Statistics
|
|
|
Mean
|
N
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
Pair 1
|
Amount of cash at the start of the business
|
578816.6667
|
60
|
1.17822E6
|
1.52108E5
|
Current amount of cash
|
3943416.667
|
60
|
6.1514E6
|
794136.8701
|
The table 4.15 indicates that the working capital or the amount
of cash women entrepreneurs used at the start has increased since the mean
amount of cash used at the start was 578,816 Rfr and are currently in the
business 3,943,416 which represent an increase of 581%.
Table 4.13: Test about
mean working capital
Paired Samples Test
|
|
|
Paired Differences
|
t
|
df
|
Sig. (2-tailed)
|
|
|
Mean
|
Std. Deviation
|
Std. Error Mean
|
95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
|
|
|
Lower
|
Upper
|
Pair 1
|
Amount of cash at the start of the business - Current amount of
cash
|
-3.36460E6
|
5.71763E6
|
7.38142E5
|
-4.84162E6
|
-1.88758E6
|
-4.558E0
|
59
|
.000
|
Table 4.16 help to test the null hypothesis which indicate
that the mean amount of cash (working capital) at the start of the business and
currently in the business for women entrepreneurs are still equal. The results
indicate that we reject the null hypothesis since at 95% confidence interval
p-value of 0.000 is less 0.05. The result indicates that women entrepreneurs
have made a lot of profits in all their activities since their amount of cash
they had when they start the business has increased.
4.3.6 Analysis of the
challenges faced by women entrepreneurs
The contribution of women entrepreneurs on the development of
Rwanda is important as indicated previously but they are many challenges that
hinder their development. In these part women entrepreneurs highlighted their
challenges and show how they tried to solve this challenges as indicated in the
table below.
Figure 4.7:
Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs
Source: Primary data
The Figure: 4.7 above indicate 38.3% of women entrepreneurs
stated that the big challenge they are facing is lack of market. Some women
entrepreneur said they had specific customers from abroad not at local level
and permanent customers and sometimes when they get a market the payment at
time become difficult some said it is caused by poor marketing system; 21% of
women entrepreneurs stated the lack of trainings as their big challenges. Women
entrepreneurs indicate they need trainings in communication skills, management
skills and technical skills and specific trainings regarding their particular
business; 15% of women entrepreneurs stated lack of raw material as a challenge
for them. This challenge was indicated by women entrepreneur in manufacturing
sector who has small factory since they use raw material from abroad and they
pay it at high cost; 8.3% of women entrepreneurs stated high taxes as a
challenge for their performance. Many women entrepreneurs mentioned high taxes
as a big challenge but they said it is an obligation no needs to consider it as
a challenge one stated that her small factory pay 70% that's for big company
not for a business which operates in art and handicraft sector; 6.7% of women
entrepreneurs stated location as a challenge for their development. A location
which is far from infrastructure facilities was mentioned by some women
entrepreneurs; 5% of women entrepreneurs stated that they don't face any
challenge in their activities; 3.3% of women entrepreneurs stated the lack of
adequate technology in their activity. As mentioned by women entrepreneur many
of them don't use computer and internet to market their products; 1.7% of women
entrepreneurs stated they faced discrimination in property ownership since her
business was imitated by another and nothing has been done to protect her
property right.
The challenges quoted hinder the performance of women
entrepreneurs who responded at the questionnaire.
4.3 Results interpretation
and hypothesis testing
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of women
entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda a case study of Expo 2010. This
were achieved by analyzing their monthly savings before and after becoming
entrepreneurs, their monthly expenditures before and after becoming
entrepreneurs and the amount of cash at the start of the business and currently
in the business. To test hypothesis paired-sample t test were used to test if
the mean monthly savings, mean monthly expenditure and mean working a capital
at the start all before they become entrepreneur and the mean monthly savings,
mean monthly expenditure, working capital currently The null hypothesis states
that they are equal. As indicated previously we rejected null hypothesis for
the three variables since their p-values are less than 0.05 at 95% confidence
interval.
Women entrepreneurs contributed to the development of Rwanda
as indicated previously in tables, and figures. Different figures and tables
help to test other non numerical variables that women entrepreneurs use to
contribute to the development of the country. Women entrepreneurs contribute to
export development as indicated since they sell their products outside the
country which create capital for the country, they contribute to the
development of Rwanda also through taxes payments, participation in local
development by participating in decision making and helps orphans, protecting
environment etc. Women entrepreneurs also participate in the development of
through their development since development start at home by increasing their
live standards. To test how an increase in one person in family can affect
currently monthly savings of women entrepreneurs the results show
y=64120.104+6773.830x1(family size) it shows that it can increase monthly
savings by 6773.830 Rfw and the model is significant at 95% since p-value of
0.05=0.05 alpha value. The last part analyzed the challenges that women
entrepreneurs face and how they tried to overcome this challenges. To test if
the challenges exist we used bar chart that ranked the challenges according to
percentages and the challenges affect the development of women entrepreneurs in
various ways.
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY,
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the overview of the entire on the impact
of women entrepreneurs on economic development of Rwanda. It presents the
summary of the whole study the interpretation of findings and it gives
recommendation.
5.1 Summary
Women entrepreneurs in Rwanda have made a lot of progress in
Rwandan economy and Rwanda is a world leader in promoting gender equality,
providing an encouraging example of how countries affected by conflicts can
seize the reform momentum in its aftermath to support the empowerment of
women. Women entrepreneurs are relatively young, and many
turned to business in the years following the genocide. In fact, of the small
enterprises operating in Rwanda, almost 70 percent were established within the
last 10 years. A 2002 study of women entrepreneurs found that the majority is
engaged in the retail sector (82 percent), with the rest focusing on services
(16 to 17 percent) and manufacturing (1 to 2 percent) many of their businesses
are successful and large. The government's emphasis on
cooperatives has had a positive impact on women's enterprise development. As
indicated many women entrepreneurs are in art and handicraft sector through
their basket weaver cooperatives, others are in trade and service sector others
are in manufacturing sector.
The study showed that women entrepreneurs being entrepreneurs
helped them to raise their standards of living and help them to contribute to
the development of Rwanda through taxes payments, savings, jobs creation,
export promotion, and they contribute to the development of Rwanda.
Women entrepreneurs highlight lack of market, lack of
trainings, high taxes, discrimination in property right, and raw materials as
their top challenges that hinder their development.
Many researches on women entrepreneurship indicates that women
entrepreneurs contribute to the development of their country. This study has
shown the socio-economic characteristics of women entrepreneurs, and the study
showed how they contribute to the development of Rwanda.
The analysis showed that being entrepreneurs had an impact on
the increase of their monthly savings, expenditures and their working capital.
The results at 95% confidence interval using paired sample t test reject the
null hypothesis, which help as an evidence.
This research has helped in identifying the performance of
women entrepreneurs in Rwanda and increase the existence knowledge on women
entrepreneurship.
5.2 Conclusion
This study investigates the impact of women entrepreneurs on
the development of Rwanda and it took into account women entrepreneurs in Expo
2010. The whole study were divided into five parts which helped to
The results indicate that there is positive relationship
between some variables that women entrepreneurs use to contribute to the
development of Rwanda such as savings, taxes, local development, family
development and they have been tested using descriptive statistics and
inferential statistics especially correlation and linear regression some
results indicated poor results and other showed good results according to
variables under consideration.
The results indicate that women entrepreneurs constitute a
driving force in the development of Rwanda since they create more jobs, they
pay more taxes, they contribute to savings which boost investments and they
contribute to the development of their families.
5.3 Recommendations
The research findings has shown that there is still much to
be done for the development of women entrepreneurs since they are still
challenges that affect the development of women entrepreneurs in Rwanda. These
recommendations are directed to Rwandan Government for the development of women
entrepreneurs in Rwanda.
· Expand the market for women entrepreneurs in Rwanda, by
increasing the number of trade fairs and provide support for women
entrepreneurs to participate in many trade fairs since it is an opportunity for
marketing women entrepreneurs' Products.
· Increasing trainings and workshop for women
entrepreneurs in communication skills, Business plan, ICT use in their
activities, trainings related to their type of business, Trainings that will
help women to start and expand their business, management and technical
skills.
· Reduce taxes since it was highlighted as a problem
which hinders women entrepreneurs' development.
· Increase in infrastructure facilities road, water and
electricity since it is presented as a challenge for women entrepreneurs.
· Facilitate women entrepreneurs in getting loans and
credit.
· Increase researches and surveys on women entrepreneurs
to know their challenges.
REFERENCES
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global age,Burlington, ashgate publishing company,USA.
2. Anshuja Tiwari sanjay Tiwari.2007.women entrepreneurship
and Economic development,1st ed, New delhi, Sarup &
sons.
3. Dr.C. Rajenda kumar.2008.Research methodology, New
delhi, APH Publishing Corporation.
4. Donald F.Kuratko.2004.Entrepreneurship: theory, process
and practice, Mason, cengage learning, Inc.
5. Fidelis Ezeala-harrison.1996.Economic development: theory
and policy applications, Westport, Greenwood publishing group, Inc.
6. Julie R.Weeks.2001.Women's entrepreneurship in Latino America,
New York, Main stop publication.
7. Grinnell and Williams (1990), Research in Social
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Shepherd, PhD.2005. Entrepreneurship. 6 ed. New York: McGraw-Hill
Irwin.
10. Lucia Quachey.2005.Millenium development goals and
African women entrepreneurs, leiden, Netherlands.
11. Kristen Gibson.2009. business dictionary, USA,
Emerald publishing limited.
12. UNIFEM.2005.Progress of the world's women, New
York.
13. OECD.2004.promoting entrepreneurship and innovative SMEs
in a global economy: Towards a more responsible and inclusive
Globalisation, Istanbul,Turkey.
14. William bygrave & Andrew
zacharakis.2008.Entrepreneurship, 2nd ed, new jersey, Wiley
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Kenya, Texas, IFC,Washington DC.
17. World Bank. 2007. Voices of women entrepreneurs in
Tanzania, Texas, IFC,Washington DC.
18. World Bank. 2008. Voices of women entrepreneurs in
Rwanda, Texas, IFC,Washington DC.
WEBSITES
1. Susanne E, Jabert.2000.Women entrepreneurs in the global
Economy. Retrieved June 18.2010.From
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http://www.dti.gov.za/sawen/SAWENreport2.pdf.
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APPENDICES
QUESTIONNAIRE ON WOMEN ENTERPRENEURS IN EXPO 2010 AT
RWANDA PRIVATE SECTOR FEDERATION GIKONDO FROM 26TH/AUGUST TO
8TH/SEPTEMBER 2010.
PART I. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
1. How old are you?
2. What is your education background?
a) Primary education
b) Secondary education
c) University education
If university what course did you follow..................
3. What is your marital status?
a) Single
b) Married
c) Separated
d) Divorced 6
e) Widowed
4. How many dependents
How many children
5. What kind of business is this?
a) Manufacturing
b) Trade
c) Services
d) Other specify..........
PART II. ECONOMIC INFORMATION
6. Do you have a personal bank account?
a) Yes
b) No
|
Before you enter the business
|
Currently
|
How many savings
|
|
|
7. Which sources of finance have you
used to provide funds for your business?
a) Savings
circles
b) Commercial
banks
c)
Cooperatives
d) Friends
e) leasing
f) Micro Finance Institutions
g) Other specify............
8. What reasons make you engage in the entrepreneurship?
a) Unemployed or lost my job
b) Too little income and need income
c) Self boss
d) No education background
e) Other reason specify................
9. Do you contribute money from your business towards household
expenditure?
a) Yes
b) No
c) If yes, how much did/do you contribute for family expenses
every month
Before you enter the business
|
Currently in the business
|
|
|
10. What changes in the quality of life would
you say have come about as a result of having the business?
a) Construct a house
b) Buy a car
c) Education fees for my family
d) Mutual Health insurance for my family
e) Recreation and leisure time
f) Other specify
11. What do you think is your contribution to economic
development of Rwanda?
a) I pay much Taxes
b) I participate in decision making at local level
c) Other specify...........................................
12. What was your employment situation
immediately before you became entrepreneur?
a) Already owned a different business
b) Already a part-owner of a different business
c) Working full-time as an employee
d) Working part-time as an employee
e) Unemployed,
f) Looking after the home or family
g) In education/training
h) Other specify....................
13. Excluding yourself, how many people work for
your main business? Please includeeveryone who works for the business whether
on a full-time or a part-time basis and regardless of whether or not they
receive a salary or wage from the business?
Number:
14. How long have you been operating this
business?
Number of years
15. What are your long-term plans for your
business?
a)
Continue/expand present business/innovation
b) Change to
another line of business
c) Leave and
take up wage employment
d) Pass the
business onto someone else in my family
e) Sell the
business
f) Retire
g) Other specify........
16. Which one of the following is your largest
market?
a) Local or
district markets
b) Regional or
provincial markets
c) National
markets
d)
International markets
17. Are you a member of any associations of women entrepreneurs
Yes No
a) If yes which one.........................................
b) What services have you obtained from it/them
a) Trainings and consultation
b) Assistance in marketing Product
c) Access to information
d) Loan and working capital
e) Access to business advisory services
18. How much was the approximate value of cash and equipment when
the business started and how much is it now?
|
Before you enter the business
|
Currently
|
Approximate amount of cash
|
|
|
Approximate value of equipment
|
|
|
19. What are the challenges do you face in
your business?
challenges
|
interventions made in case of the challenges
|
recommendation
|
Lack of market
|
|
|
High taxes
|
|
|
Lack of training
|
|
|
Combining family obligation and business
|
|
|
Other specify.......
|
|
|
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
CO-OPERATION
|