Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and conceptually explain the work-life balance of women entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach – Through the secondary data, selected papers have analysed to prepare a conceptual framework depicting the work-life balance of women entrepreneurs. Findings – Entrepreneurship has emerged as a global concept and contributed for economic development of the country. It utilizes competencies of entrepreneurs for success of their enterprises. Working women executives suffers the problem of work-life balance. Developing family responsibilities as well as their potential roles, generate the issue of role conflict. In order to overcome role conflict, they need to balance between work and personal life style. To gain more flexibility and control on their work and personal obligations, women start up their own business. They contribute in job creation, innovation, and economic development of nation through their entrepreneurial activities. Originality/value – It provides future direction to various researchers, academicians and policy makers in this field.

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Purpose The spirit of entrepreneurship among nationals of a country leads and contributes significantly to the growth process of a country. In this drive, there cannot be gender biases among men and women. The government in India has taken several initiatives to increase the participation of women entrepreneurs and, thus, making a partner to the growth and development process of the country. The initiatives in this direction were taken up through five-year development policy plans commencing from the fifth five-year plan (1974-1978). The focus of five-year plans since then has been reoriented toward women welfare stressing more specifically on women empowerment through women entrepreneurship programs. The purpose of this paper is to appraise the series of development plans and programs initiated for the empowerment of women entrepreneurship in India. Design/methodology/approach The paper is developed based on the concepts, policies and practices being implemented across the regions to promote women entrepreneurs. The methodology adopted to assess and analyze the relevant components very much matches the existing practices. The paper relates the concepts, programs and practices. This study has revealed certain issues based on the available data and information on women entrepreneurship to establish a view and rational as of why research is needed in the area of women entrepreneurship. To support this concept, the study has considered the experiences of two important states of India, namely, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Findings The study reveals that Government of India has launched several policies and development programs to infuse the spirit of entrepreneurship among the women groups and thereby not only making them financially self-sustained but also to contribute to the growth process of the economy. However, there remain many gaps in achieving the goals due to the variety of factors. This becomes more significant as the level of women entrepreneurship in India is very low as compared to other economies and also between the men and women entrepreneurs within the country. The study brings out the need and importance for the future research in the area of women entrepreneurship and thereby exploring the areas of concern and bringing out needed improvements to strengthen the women entrepreneurship programs and policies. Originality/value This research provides a future direction to the academicians, researchers and policymakers to provide a framework to reorient the programs and policies for the cause of women entrepreneurship growth in India. The paper very much emphasis that the research findings will have influence on government policies and serve as an effective tool for implementation of state programs meant for woman entrepreneurs more effectively and efficiently. The ultimate impact of research findings will be an economic change in the quality of life of woman enterprise in the society.

Purpose For establishing self-esteem and recognition in society, women are attracted towards entrepreneurship. To sustain in the competitive market, businesses carried out by women are mainly dependent on internal resources and their capabilities based on which they try to compete with the external environment. Thus, the aim of the paper is to study the role of internal and external factors in the development of women enterprises. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative approach was used based on multiple case studies from India to propose the conceptual framework on the development of enterprises. Findings To achieve success, enterprise makes full utilisation of the internal and external factors. The findings suggested that support from family, friends, society, government, non-governmental organisations and financial institutions as well as skills and abilities of an entrepreneur are accountable for initiation and growth of the venture. Originality/value This study provides the futuristic direction to policymakers and educators for focusing on the enhancement of women entrepreneurship which plays a crucial role in the economic growth of the country.

Purpose Women establish their enterprise for economic independence and empowerment. This study aims to identify the factors that promote women entrepreneurship in Uttarakhand, a state in India. Although, women have the potential to become entrepreneurs, they do not have the right opportunities to explore it. Therefore, the role of non-government organizations (NGOs) is imminent in supporting women's entrepreneurial cause. Design/methodology/approach The problems of women entrepreneurs during venture creation have been explored. Case studies of women entrepreneurs and NGOs operating in Uttarakhand have been developed through an in-depth interview method. Findings Entrepreneurial learning occurs because of certain personal, social and environmentally driven motivational factors. Entrepreneurial learning helps in the development of personal, social, managerial and entrepreneurial competencies. These competencies are essential for the performance of an enterprise. Practical implications This study provides directions to policymakers and researchers to focus on developmental programmes for women entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study explores a conceptual framework for the promotion of women entrepreneurship.