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Stream/Area:
-
Subject:
-
Paper ID:
IJSREM66894
Volume:
10 |
8 |
Aug 2026
Pages:
1-9
Publication Frequency:
Monthly (12 issues per year)
License:International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management follows the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) License, allowing free use and distribution with proper attribution.
Management and Commerce
Srinivas University
Management and Commerce
Srinivas University
Women-owned manufacturing enterprises significantly contribute to industrial development, employment generation, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. Despite their growing impact on the manufacturing sector, female entrepreneurs encounter substantial challenges that hinder enterprise growth and sustainability. Although extensive research has been conducted on women's entrepreneurship, studies specifically addressing women-owned manufacturing enterprises are fragmented, with limited integration of entrepreneurial competencies, challenges, and opportunities. This systematic review seeks to synthesise existing literature to identify the entrepreneurial competencies that enhance enterprise performance, examine the primary challenges affecting women-owned manufacturing enterprises, explore emerging opportunities for business growth, and identify gaps for future research. The review is based on a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and other scholarly publications on women-owned manufacturing enterprises. The findings indicate that entrepreneurial competencies- such as leadership, strategic planning, innovation, financial management, networking, marketing capability, opportunity recognition, and technological adaptability- significantly influence enterprise performance and sustainability. Major challenges include restricted access to finance, technological constraints, inadequate institutional support, gender-based discrimination, regulatory obstacles, and work–family conflicts. Concurrently, opportunities arising from digital transformation, government support schemes, entrepreneurship development programs, financial inclusion, business incubation, and expanded market access have increased the growth potential of women-owned manufacturing enterprises. These findings offer valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, financial institutions, and entrepreneurship development agencies to formulate evidence-based strategies that enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable growth of women-owned manufacturing enterprises.
KEYWORDS
Although women entrepreneurs make a substantial contribution to economic growth, their expansion is heavily dependent on support systems, such as finance, education, policy, familial support, and access to opportunities. Research indicates that while barriers vary across regions, a consistent pattern emerges; increased support correlates with enhanced entrepreneurial outcomes, whereas obstacles impede progress. Acknowledging and nurturing the distinct strengths of women entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector is promising for promoting gender equity and economic development within this vital industry. Further research and policy initiatives should focus on developing tailored support systems that address both the enhancement of entrepreneurial skills and the structural barriers encountered by these enterprises. This study is particularly pertinent to entrepreneurship policy and the understanding of the barriers and facilitators affecting women-led businesses.
1. Akther, S., Islam, M. R., Faisal-E-Alam, M., Castanho, R. A., Loures, L., & Ferreira, P. (2024). Linking management capabilities to sustainable business performance of women-owned small and medium enterprises in emerging markets: A moderation and mediation analysis. Sustainability, 16(23), 10193. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310193 2. Allen, S., & Truman, C. (2016). Women in business: Perspectives on women entrepreneurs. Routledge. 3. Aravik, H., Hamzani, A. I., & Khasanah, N. (2025). Women entrepreneurship in Indonesia: Opportunities and challenges. Islamic Banking: Jurnal Pemikiran dan Pengembangan Perbankan Syariah, 10(2), 327–348. 4. Asah, F. T., & Hove-Sibanda, P. (2025). Formal financial institutions' financing of women-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa: A supply-side perspective. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 17(1), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-02-2023-0031 5. Divya, M. S., & Lakshmi, M. G. (2023). A study on challenges and problems of women entrepreneurs in Madurai district. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i06.8443 6. Foster, D. D. (2016). Women entrepreneurs: Keys to successful business development and sustainability beyond five years (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University). 7. Ghosh, S., & Mitra, S. (2020). The women-owned enterprises in India: Condition, performance and challenges. https://doi.org/10.31124/advance.12340550.v2 8. Gochhayat, N., & Rout, S. (2025). Business-government relationship for sustainable development of women entrepreneurship: An analysis of the Indian manufacturing sector. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 328. 9. Hisni, N. I. A., Aziz, N. N. A., Ramli, N. A., & Rahman, M. Z. A. (2025). Impact of digital leadership and resilience on women's business success. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.9010212 10. Hlatshwayo, O., & Mamokhere, J. (2025). Challenges faced by women-owned SMEs in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality: A feminist inquiry into structural, cultural, and economic barriers. International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy, 7(4), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.36096/ijbes.v7i4.887
Publication Date
8/22/2026
Peer Review Type
Double-Blind Peer Review
Review Rounds: 2
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The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this research work.
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