An Empirical Study on Factors Influencing Success among Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania

Abstract

This paper aimed at examining factors influencing success among women entrepreneurs in Tanzania. Simple random sampling was used to draw a sample of 283 respondents who are women entrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam. Data were collected using structured questionnaire in order to test the hypotheses. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test for construct validity of the established conceptual framework. Cronbach's Alpha method was used to test the reliability of the research instrument. Multiple regressions were used to examine the significant of each factor in influencing success among women entrepreneurs. Findings using exploratory factor analysis identified three components and their associated construct namely social influence (spiritual support, external support and family support), facilitating condition (Training/seminar, Access to Finance/Market and access to technology) and personal traits(entrepreneurial competence, commitment and hard worker).Cronbach's Alpha analysis for three variables revealed a p-value greater than 0.6 which is accepted as suitable value for reliability. Moreover, further findings using multiple regressions analysis revealed that both three factors identified in exploratory factor analysis namely facilitation conditions(Training/seminar, Access to Finance/Market and access to technology),individual traits(entrepreneurial competence, commitment and hard worker) and social influence(spiritual support, external support and family support) are significant factors influencing success among  women entrepreneurs.