Factors Affecting the Entrepreneurial Activities of Rural Women in Iran

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to identify and analyze the effect of social capital on entrepreneurial activities of Fars province specialized companies in Iran to improve their status. This descriptive research was accomplished using survey and required data was collected through questionnaire. Stratified random sampling was used and sample size was estimated to be 380 rural women. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by the viewpoints of professors as well as conducting a pilot study, calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. Based on the results of path analysis, social capital and social networks activities had a direct and significant effect on entrepreneurial activities. Business plan writing skill, creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication, supportive policies, educational-counseling policies, and business environments also had a direct and significant effect on social capital. Creativity, entrepreneurial motivation, family communication and educational policies had a direct and significant effect on social networking activities, as well. Enhancing the ability of entrepreneurs to start and continue entrepreneurial activities, paying attention to the role of social networks and their interacting as well as considering social capital as a link between business networks by identifying entrepreneurial opportunities and providing resources and facilities are essential in this regard.

Keywords

• business plan
• entrepreneurship motivation
• social capital
• social networks