Factors Effecting Rural Women‘s Entrepreneurshıp in Local Markets: The Case of Samsun Province, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the entrepreneurship potential of women, define the factors that lead rural women to become entrepreneurs in local markets and reveal the problems faced by rural women during their entrepreneurship activities. Alaçam ve Bafra districts of Samsun province were purposefully selected as research area where women entrepreneurs concentrated and the primary data were collected with face to face interviews with all women (total of 75) in the markets. According to the findings; women have stated that they started their career in the marketplace through the direction of their own decisions (32.0%). When the thoughts of doing business other than their profession were examined; they wanted to open a garment workplace (16.6%). 43.0% of marketers stated that they were satisfied with their profession and 54.0% of them perceived the market as permanent profession due to being a profitable business and raising their revenues. Three major obstacles for women entrepreneurs were defined as; limited or inadequate funds, professional insufficiency due to low formal educational level and lack of experience, respectively. Private loans can be provided to women entrepreneurs thus; it can increase their funds. Institutions and organizations, which provide active support, may also increase trainings devoted to women who have lack of experience.