An Empirical Study of the Factors Affecting the Use of ICTs Among Indian Women Entrepreneurs

--Anu Kohli and Neha Tiwari

The study seeks to assess the various factors which affect the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by urban women entrepreneurs in India. The study explores the gender disparities and various endeavors by governments and non-governmental agencies in promoting ICT use among women in India. The paper also assesses the frequency of ICT usage, variety of traditional and modern forms of ICTs and perceived benefits of ICT used by urban and educated women entrepreneurs in India. The study also attempts to analyze whether the level of education of women entrepreneur, type of enterprise (service/manufacturing), form of enterprise and the years of operation have any effect on these factors. The study concludes that urban and educated women entrepreneurs use ICTs on a regular basis and respondents perceived that it gave them exposure to new opportunities and boosted their confidence. Type of enterprise chosen had an impact on their interest in learning and their perception about power shortage. Their level of education impacted their awareness about the financing schemes. The years of operation had a significant impact on their perception about power shortage and male dominance. The form of ownership had a significant impact on training received by them and their preference for business expansion through e-commerce.

© 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.

The Effectiveness of Self-Help Groups in Improving the Economic Condition of Women Entrepreneurs in Varanasi

Strengthen the Small to Strengthen the Nation: Insights on HR Issues in SMEs

--Swetha Thiruchanuru

A system is considered to be strong when its smallest individual components are strong, self-organized and controllable. Likewise, the strength of the nation depends on the functioning of its small-scale industries. If cells are prone to disease, the body becomes weak irrespective of its shape and size. Likewise, if the nation ignores its small-scale industries, it has a negative impact on the nation’s economy. Thus, a well-organized small-scale industry is the strong quantum for large-scale production. Fortunately, in recent times, the development of small-scale industries in India has been taken up as one of the major areas of concentration by the government. The present study, therefore, makes an attempt to examine the human resource issues and identifies the problems related to human resources of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Rayalaseema region, and the findings of this work have considerable relevance when the need to run SMEs on modern techniques of management is felt at all levels. Further, the findings of this research have considerable relevance when important policy decisions are being contemplated at regional level in respect of decentralized SMEs in the region. The entrepreneurs will also be benefited by the studies of this nature. They can make use of the conclusions and suggestions for their effective functioning, and in prudent management of their finances, resources and labor.

© 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.

Poverty Alleviation and Development Through Entrepreneurship: Initiatives of KSDC for SCs and STs Ltd.

--Prakash C, Sindhu K S and Nebu Cherian

The Indian economy is transiting through a momentous phase of development. From a predominantly agrarian economy, which had a sprinkling of industrial units at the time of independence, it has developed extensive manufacturing capabilities over a wide spectrum of industries. Entrepreneurship is an occupational enterprise taken at a personal level. It involves financial risk, quick decision, innovative adaptation, continuous investment and above all a temperament for profit making and development. It is a well accepted fact that human resource is the most crucial and valuable of all resources which a nation can possess. In spite of this, it is often observed that a huge population is a big burden. This is because of the fact that we have inadequate resources to support the population. This creates problems of malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and low quality of human life. This brings us to the natural conclusion that it is the quality that matters and not the quantity. The present study attempts to analyze the pattern of lending schemes of Kerala State Development Corporation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Limited comparing it with the lending schemes of commercial banks. The lending schemes of commercial banks are directed towards scheduled castes and scheduled tribes under priority sector lending but are not similarly attractive. In spite of this, the utilization patterns of loan are still very dismal.

© 2016IUP. All Rights Reserved.