SPOUSAL MOTIVE- A CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Abstract

This study aims to examine the moderating effect of spousal motives on the relationship between critical success factors of women entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka. Structured questionnaire was used as the data collection technique with the sampling frame focusing of 286 Muslim women entrepreneurs using convenience sampling technique. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS as the data analysis technique while employing SPSS 23.0. Moderating impacts of demographic factors on the association between independent variables and market performance have been established. Based on the results reported, there is a substantial moderation of spousal motives in the relationship between critical success factors such as human capital, social capital, industrial factor, cultural factor and business performance where spousal motive did not moderate the relationship between psychological characteristics and the Muslim women entrepreneurs’ business performance. Women entrepreneurs, Muslim societies, trade chambers and policymaking authorities may use this finding of the study as a template to gain insight in to the demographic factors influencing on business performance of Sri Lankan Muslim women entrepreneurs.