Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Dr. Bharat Thakkar

Abstract

AbstractMany women small business owners struggle to maintain their businesses longer than 5 years. This study’s purpose was to use the theory of planned behavior to explore how women small business owners overcome barriers to entrepreneurship. The study’s research questions examined how women small business owners in Broward County in the state of Florida use financial strategies to develop their businesses and how women small business owners use financial strategies to overcome barriers to entrepreneurship. A qualitative, multiple-case study approach was used to examine beauty parlors, dance studios, and insurance offices. Each case relied on semistructured interviews, field notes, financial documents, and interview observations from three woman-owned small businesses (WOSBs). A 6-stage data analysis process resulted in within-case and cross-case analyses. The study’s findings highlighted four strategies participants used to compensate for inadequate start-up and operating capital: (a) networking for educational as well as marketing purposes, (b) emphasis on marketing as a critical cashflow-related strategy, (c) buying a business to avoid social and financial barriers, and (d) cost-control as a strategy for overcoming limited access to capital. The study results contribute to positive social change by providing important information for aspiring women small business owners, potentially reducing the number of business failures among WOSBs. The results may also encourage women to become entrepreneurs, improving rates of employment, standards of living, and gender equality in society. Finally, this study highlighted the pressing need for more and better financial education for women, as this education was needed to support such positive social change.

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