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THE FACTORS INFLUENCING ON INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: CASE STUDY OF SELECTED MUSLIM WOMEN IN COLOMBO DISTRICT Furrkaan Bannu Ifthikar University of Colombo, Sri Lanka Dr. R. Senathiraja University of Colombo, Sri Lanka ABSTRACT This study outlines the factors influencing on income generating activities of women entrepreneurs with a case study of selected eight Muslim women who own business ventures in the District of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It examines influencing factors for starting a business and compares women who have started their own business for different reasons. It also looks at social, economic, cultural, background factors and benefits attained by Muslim women entrepreneurs. The study is limited to a random sample of eight successful case studies covering different fields of business initiatives. The criteria based for the selection was that they were Muslim women entrepreneurs. It also identifies the entrepreneurial characteristics of women entrepreneurs and determines the relationship between the push and pull factors and income generating activities. The findings revealed that factors such as early childhood experiences, psychological characteristics, family support, social networks and socio-cultural values had a major influence on these women entrepreneurs to engage in income generating activities. The findings reveal the entrepreneurial characteristics of Muslim women to be; proactive, self-motivated, opportunistic, creative, self-confident, internal locus of control, need for achievement and innovative. They possess adequate support of family members, thus are able to access resources, overcome the challenges and grow their businesses. Further research could be expanded to other areas of Sri Lanka. |