Feasibility of business ownership by educated urban women: A developing country perspective

The growing group of well educated, urban based women who have the potential of starting their own businesses as an economic option have been ignored by academic researchers or development planners in developing countries. In particular, there has been limited research on factors that affect the feasibility of women¿s entrepreneurship by this group of women in developing countries. This study fills this research gap and explores the factors affecting the feasibility of business-ownership by educated urban women in the society/culture of a developing country, represented by Bangladesh. Data were gathered from 75 women entrepreneurs. Findings demonstrate that years of formal education, work experience, socio-economic class, network and supporters, and the type of business are key explanatory factors determining the feasibility of business-ownership as an economic option for women. The findings have important implications for researchers and the policy makers.