Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Judith Forbes

Abstract

Forty percent of women in the Niger Delta states in Nigeria were unemployed in 2015. Guided by acquired needs theory, this multiple case study was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of how women in the Niger Delta states can acquire the requisite entrepreneurial knowledge to make decisions about becoming self-employed. Twenty women entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta states who had knowledge and experience of entrepreneurship were selected to participate in providing data through a semistructured interview, field notes, and document review. Through Yin's 5-step data analysis process, member checking, and triangulation, the following key themes emerged: creativity and innovation, promoting learning and development on entrepreneurship, developing a business mindset, information technology, financial and economic literacy, mentoring the mentees, financial freedom, flexibility of time, adequate control, lack of adequate entrepreneurial training, unsupportive business environment, educational barriers, and shortage of funds and resources. The study findings may create awareness of how women entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta states can obtain knowledge and experience of entrepreneurship. This awareness may promote positive social change by supporting efforts to prepare women for employment, thereby reducing unemployment, improving the standard of living, and reducing poverty among women in Nigeria.

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