Published Online:June 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJAE010625
DOI:10.71329/IUPJED/2025.22.2.5-27
Author Name:G Sindhu and A Selva Prakash
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:5-27
This study investigates the influence of social, cultural, and institutional factors on the entrepreneurial success of women in South India. Drawing upon four theoretical frameworks—Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Theory, Social Capital Theory, Institutional Theory, and Gender and Entrepreneurship Theory—it examines the roles of family support, business networks, cultural expectations, and policy-level support. Data was collected from 250 women entrepreneurs across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana from December 2024 to January 2025 using a structured questionnaire. Quantitative methods, including multiple linear regression, chi-square tests, moderation analysis, and independent samples t-tests, were employed to test four hypotheses. The results reveal that social support and cultural norms, though theoretically relevant, did not show statistically significant influence on entrepreneurial success. The interaction between social and cultural factors also did not moderate entrepreneurial outcomes. However, a significant urban-rural divide was found: women in urban areas reported higher levels of success compared to rural women. The findings emphasize that structural enablers like financial access, digital literacy, and inclusive government schemes are critical in determining women’s entrepreneurial success
Female entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in driving global economic growth, fostering innovation, and promoting social transformation. Women entrepreneurs contribute to job creation, economic diversification, and introduction of novel products and services.