EFFECT OF CULTURE AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS ON FEMALE ENTREPRENURSHIP IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts etc. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group identity fostered by social patterns unique to the group. Around the globe, women participate less in paid economic activities than men. There is gender gap in labour force participation. Women participate less, and when they do participate, they are often conscribed to different, lower-paying jobs and sectors. The study examined the effect of culture and socio-economic factors on female entrepreneurs. The specific objectives of the study were to: Examine the effect of belief and values on revenue generation of female entrepreneurs and ascertain the effect of family background on the status of female entrepreneurs. The study used the descriptive research survey method. The primary source of data was used. The administration of structured questionnaire was utilized. The population of the study was drawn from selected female entrepreneurs of the local government areas under study made up of fashion designers, Event makers, Beauty salon owners, livestock farmers etc. A total population of 1954 was used and 397 was used as sample size using Freund and Williams formula at 5 percent margin of error. 356 of the questionnaire was returned .The reliability was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). It gave a reliability co-efficient of 0.81 which was also good. Data was presented and analyzed by mean score (3.0 and above a greed while below 3.0 disagreed) and standard deviation using Sprint Likert Scale. The hypotheses were analyzed using Z- test statistics tool. The findings indicated that Belief and values had positive effect on the revenue generation of female Entrepreneurs =  r(95, n=356),. 094<,908, p = <.05.Family background had positive effect on the female status of female Entrepreneurs  =  r(95, n = 356), 473 <.885, p = <.05). The study concluded that belief and value have positive effect on the revenue generation of female entrepreneurs, so also the family background of the female entrepreneurs significantly affects their status. The study recommended among others, that there should be paradigm shifts of the old believe system that women are better in the kitchen than in the business field. Equal opportunities should be opened to female entrepreneurs as much as are given to their counterparts to access the potentials that are embedded in them and alsoThere should be a conscious effort by the Federal, State and Local governments to adequately support the female entrepreneurs maximize the potentials in them