Innovation in Microenterprises: Case of Women Entrepreneurs in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs with their creativity come up with new ventures for themselves and for others, thus discovering the answer to many of the firms and business problems. The Asian Developing countries have routed women led Micro Enterprises (MIEs) as an important part for economic growth and can be treated as an important pillar of national economies. They are the highest employment generators and a prospective instrument of poverty mitigation by creating self-employment avenues. The MSEs therefore have been considered as an important basis for the promotion of entrepreneurial potential and product innovation and has tremendous relevance for developing economies like Bahrain. This ongoing study investigated the characteristics of innovation and its influence as a success factor for female entrepreneurs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It started by presenting an extensive review of literatures in the area of entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on women entrepreneurs. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from small and medium enterprises owned by female entrepreneurs in Bahrain. The study made note of the fact that most of the respondent entrepreneurs (100%) established their own business for the reason that they are creative and want to start their own business with passion and zeal with, a strong linkage between innovation entrepreneurship and personality and psychology of innovator entrepreneurs". Product and Process innovation did play a very positive part in making the firms successful not only economically but also in building the brand image. From the study it came to be found that forming alliances, partnerships, outsourcing or subcontracting with different companies have drastically improved sales either through social media webpages or through direct and showroom sales. Women-led micro enterprises, however, need more funding from the Government of Bahrain. Training and Workshops are needed for the women for enhancing and sharpening their skills.

Women’s entrepreneurship in the GCC: a literature analysis from a socio-cultural perspective

“…For women in emerging economies, there is also evidence of entrepreneurship directly Women's entrepreneurship in the GCC impacting poverty alleviation in low-income countries (Palali c et al, 2020) as lower educational levels, coupled with socio-cultural constraints, make women a particularly disadvantaged group. Moreover, investing in women's entrepreneurship can potentially bring about sustainable economic growth vis-a-vis the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) (Al-Sadi et al, 2011;Anggadwita et al, 2015;Dutta, 2017). In Indonesia, 60% of MSMEs are run by women, and these MSMEs absorb 97% of the workforce, indicating the potential of promoting this sector to enhance social welfare at the level of local communities (Anggadwita et al, 2017).…”

“…Moreover, investing in women’s entrepreneurship can potentially bring about sustainable economic growth vis-à-vis the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) (Al-Sadi et al , 2011; Anggadwita et al , 2015; Dutta, 2017). In Indonesia, 60% of MSMEs are run by women, and these MSMEs absorb 97% of the workforce, indicating the potential of promoting this sector to enhance social welfare at the level of local communities (Anggadwita et al , 2017).…”

“…Factors that “push” people to start their own business include situational factors that take away the element of choice from women, such as the need to earn and provide for their family, redundancy and unemployment (Robinson, 2001), whereas the “pull” factors are associated with women who choose to create and manage businesses out of their desire for independence, self-fulfillment or wealth and social status (Orhan and Scott, 2001; Alstete, 2002; Jabeen et al , 2015; Jafari-Sadeghi et al , 2021). Women in the GCC are “pulled” to entrepreneurship by an ambition to gain more independence, recognition, flexibility at work and nurture their creative skills (Almobaireek and Manolova, 2013; Aloulou, 2015; Tlaiss, 2015b; Khan and Sharpe, 2016; Dutta, 2017; Redien-Collot et al , 2017; Ennis, 2019; Vracheva et al , 2019). However, they are also “pushed” by social and cultural pressures to comply with their main social role as caregivers (Ghouse et al , 2019).…”

Innovation capabilities of women enterprise in informal settings

“…Asemokha et al (2019) opined that entrepreneurs in the bid to improve the business scope and organizational growth make use of innovation as an important tool. Previous research has proven that when there is a dearth in innovation capabilities, it becomes difficult for entrepreneurship to thrive (Dutta, 2017). Particularly, fish businesses owned by rural women in Nigeria will have to undergo an in-depth innovation process to be able to contribute over 15% to national development.…”

Revisiting the Challenges Affecting SMEs Through Behavioral Approach

“…Thus, investigating in the Bahrain context is beneficial from different perspectives. Previous researches that have conducted investigation on Bahrain SMEs are either fragmented into different directions or on selected portions such as women gender (Sadi & AlGhazali, 2012;AlGhazali et al, 2013;Hasan and Almubarak, 2016;Dutta, 2017), marketing perspective (Alsamari et al, 2013), external dimensions (Dunn & Bradstreet;Alrabeei & Kasi, 2014), and/or international business (AlRabeei & Scott, 2011;Alyafie & Almubarak, 2016). Consequently, there is a lack on the literature on Bahrain that looks into the sector from both internal and external sides regardless the gender or the sectorial classifications.…”