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This article examines the relationship between financial literacy and business interruption (BI) insurance among Italian entrepreneurs. Following an increase in unexpected shocks, such as COVID-19 and geopolitical conflicts, a high level of BI risk is expected to persist, especially among small firms, which play a key role in the Italian economy. Using a Bank of Italy 2021 survey of 1998 non-financial firms with fewer than 10 employees, we show a significant positive association between the level of the entrepreneur's financial literacy and the purchase of BI insurance. Our results highlight the key role of financial literacy in shaping risk management strategies and are robust to different model specifications, also addressing endogeneity concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The platform or gig economy has had a profound impact on the tourism ecosystem. However, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) warns that whilst platforms can contribute to more gender equality, they can also reinforce sexism and inequality. While platforms offer access to informal micro-entrepreneurship, they can also expose women to heightened vulnerability due to limited control over clients and lack of legal protection. Our research questions the link between gender roles, spatial fear, and platform workers' experiences. Our findings indicate that despite Istanbul's evolving urban tourism landscape, the prevailing gender politics in Turkey continues to uphold conservative gender norms that result in gendered labour divisions and gendered public space access. As female platform workers navigate safety concerns and feelings of fear in Istanbul, productivity becomes spatially constrained, despite their efforts to adapt using diverse innovative approaches. Interesting conclusions are drawn regarding the future of work via the finding that platforms create a hybrid employment model blurring host-guest lines, raising questions about the implications for platform workers' safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing evidence that business training for micro-entrepreneurs can be effective. However, in-person training can be expensive and imposes costs on the target beneficiaries. This paper presents the results of a two-site randomized evaluation of a light-touch, mobile-phone-based business-training service for micro-entrepreneurs in India and the Philippines. The results show that the training had a statistically significant impact on the adoption of improved business practices, with an increase of 0.06 to 0.12 standard deviation points when considering a binary indicator of business practices. The study finds no evidence of impacts on business sales or profits, though the confidence intervals are wide enough to include meaningful effect sizes (positive or negative). These results suggest that mobile-phone-based training can be a cost-effective and scalable way to impart business skills to micro-entrepreneurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse potential models of Islamic crowdfunding as an alternative financing option for micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. While crowdfunding has gained traction as an alternative funding source for businesses, it is unclear how far this concept can benefit a group of micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses a qualitative research approach by using data collected through semi-structured interviews with several experts and practitioners in crowdfunding, Shariah and entrepreneurship. Prior to discussing the facets of the findings, the data were analysed based on a thematic approach. Findings: The findings reveal that while previous works of related literature suggest crowdfunding as a viable alternative financing option for entrepreneurs and their businesses, in reality, its practical implementation presents challenges. Numerous micro-entrepreneurs need more training in the areas of management and marketing. Such concerns raise questions about their ability to attract potential project backers. With the proper selection of Shariah contracts and several approaches to risk management, Islamic crowdfunding can potentially become an alternative funding source for microbusinesses. Research limitations/implications: Given the exploratory nature of this study regarding the applicability of Islamic crowdfunding as an alternative fund for micro-entrepreneurs, its findings may not fully encompass Malaysia's context because of the limited number of participants involved. Practical implications: The findings of this study offer guidelines on how to implement Islamic crowdfunding for micro-entrepreneurs. Consequently, Islamic crowdfunding has the potential to alleviate the government's burden of providing funds for micro-enterprises and enhance their skills and mentality to be more independent, creative and able to promote their products. Social implications: While Islamic crowdfunding can be an alternative opportunity for business enterprises and community-based projects, it promotes the spirit of cooperation and collaboration within society. Originality/value: Although Islamic crowdfunding is a topic that has been discussed previously, empirical investigations in this area remain scarce, mainly through qualitative approaches. Distinguishing from prior literature, this study analyses several potential models of Islamic crowdfunding from the perspectives of experts, practitioners and related agencies for micro-entrepreneurs. Moreover, this study bridges insights from related literature so that they offer practical applications to support micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the link between divergent thinking skills and the capacity of micro-entrepreneurs to implement social innovations. Drawing on Guilford's Structure of Intellect theory and the Oslo Manual's 4th version, the study employs quantitative research on 1848 Polish micro-entrepreneurs. Through exploratory factor analysis and probit model estimation, findings indicate that three aspects of divergent thinking—Fluency, Flexibility, and Development—positively influence social innovativeness. Fluency and Flexibility align with Guilford's theory, while Development - which is our proposal - reflects micro-entrepreneurs engagement in the thinking process. This study underscores the need for further research to solidify the observed relationship.

L’auto-efficacité entrepreneuriale est devenue une ressource personnelle stratégique influençant directement la performance des entrepreneurs et de la petite entreprise. En dépit de cela, très peu d’études examinent son implication dans les décisions et choix de rechercher du soutien entrepreneurial par les entrepreneurs. Dans cette étude, notre objectif est d’explorer la manière dont l’auto-efficacité entrepreneuriale des micro-entrepreneurs affecte leurs décisions de solliciter différentes formes de soutien entrepreneurial auprès des institutions formelles d’appui aux activités entrepreneuriales. Au travers d’une enquête, les données ont été collectées auprès d’un échantillon aléatoire proportionnel aux effectifs par branches d’activités de 632 micro-entrepreneurs de Kinshasa. Les résultats indiquent un effet positif de l’auto-efficacité entrepreneuriale sur la demande de crédit et un effet négatif de l’auto-efficacité entrepreneuriale sur la demande du soutien psychologique parmi les micro-entrepreneurs. Ces résultats suggèrent que les micro-entrepreneurs qui croient fortement en leurs capacités entrepreneuriales sont plus susceptibles de rechercher du crédit et moins susceptibles de rechercher de l’aide psychologique. Ces résultats sont discutés. Ils ouvrent d’intéressantes perspectives de recherche et d’interventions.

This editorial titled "Transformative food value chains for local development" discusses the need for a transformation of global food systems to address issues such as obesity, poor working conditions, and climate change. It emphasizes the importance of transformative food value chains in promoting sustainability, equity, and resilience. The editorial also highlights the role of neglected and underutilized species and informal actors in these value chains, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the need for resilient and sustainable food systems. The document provides an overview of contributions from various countries on transformative value chains. It specifically focuses on the importance of neglected actors, such as women survival entrepreneurs and marginalized populations, in the food value chain in Burkina Faso. The document also emphasizes the need for gender-responsive and inclusive value chains, as well as the lack of research on agri-food value chains in humanitarian emergencies and conflict-affected settings. It concludes by suggesting areas for further research, including new business models and the contribution of informal institutions and marginalized actors. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously affected the economy, business, and human life, especially for micro-entrepreneurs in the low-income bracket. In fact, many have yet to achieve success in the aftermath of the pandemic. Drawing from Social Cognitive Theory and existing literature, this study aimed to investigate self-efficacy, digital adoption, social persuasion, and passion for work as factors influencing entrepreneurial business success, with self-efficacy proposed as a mediator of the relationships between the other factors and entrepreneurial business success. Employing a cross-sectional survey technique, a questionnaire was distributed via email to 250 micro-entrepreneurs in West Java, Indonesia. Of these, 174 responded, and 160 datasets were suitable for further analysis. Multiple regression results derived from SmartPLS 3 indicate that all the proposed variables significantly influence both self-efficacy and entrepreneurial business success. Moreover, the findings demonstrate that self-efficacy acts as a mediator between the examined factors and entrepreneurial business success. These discoveries offer valuable insights for policymakers, poverty alleviation organizations, and researchers in developing strategies and intervention programs for entrepreneurial business growth. Thus, these findings align with the goals of the Indonesian government and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to cultivate resilient and competitive micro-entrepreneurs, striving towards a zero-poverty nation by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to enhance the understanding of the financial knowledge (FK) levels among micro-entrepreneurs in Katowice City, Poland and is a partial answer to the OECD’s call expressed in 2022&23’s reports regarding the need to investigate and diagnose financial literacy and FK in Poland (including a subpopulation of SMEs, micro-entrepreneurs) and the first steps towards a roadmap for designing National Strategy for Financial Education. This study analyzed the FK levels among micro-entrepreneurs, explicitly focusing on adapting the OECD/INFE Toolkit 2022 (OECD/INFE/T2022) to the local context. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed an adjusted, fine-tuned questionnaire and methodology to evaluate FK based on the OECD/INFE/T2022 (methodology and questionnaires), tailored to the socio-legal, organizational, and economic conditions of the country and region. The paper also involved a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the importance of FK for micro-entrepreneurs and FK surveys among them. Findings: The research fills a significant gap in the international academic literature and responded to the OECD’s recommendations for Poland, shedding light on the FK status among micro-entrepreneurs locally. Likewise, sets the groundwork for future research on FK among micro-entrepreneurs, s.a., local cyclical evaluations, research on a regional or national level, providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. Research Limitations/Implications: While the study on Katowice micro-entrepreneurs provided crucial insights for local stakeholders, further research across regions, nation-wide, through time is necessary to ensure a comprehensive understanding of FK among microentrepreneurs. Additionally, the OECD/INFE/T2022 questionnaire can be further adjusted and translated to encompass remaining subsections (financial attitudes and behaviors) for a multidimensional examination. Originality/Value: This research significantly contributes to the call by the OECD for a more in-depth understanding of FK among SMEs, particularly micro-entrepreneurs, in Poland. Its findings underscore the critical role of FK in fostering the well-being and sustainable growth of micro-entrepreneurs; it enables stakeholders to target problematic areas of FK identified in the study and to design financial education programs adequate for mitigating diagnosed deficiencies, thereby making a valuable contribution to the literature, and governmental and market practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since the onset of the global pandemic, unemployment has increased to new levels. As a consequence, the need to stimulate economic growth through the development of the micro-enterprise sector has become a central vehicle to decrease unemployment and stimulate economic growth. The problem, however, is that despite the potential benefits of digitisation, the micro-enterprise sector has been unable to effectively integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the fabric of their operations. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that influence the adoption and use of mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations in South Africa. Method: A quantitative methodology using a survey design was used to collect data from a sample of entrepreneurs, with 221 responses. Results: Performance expectancy (PE) and effort expectancy (EE) positively influence the micro-entrepreneurs’ behavioural intention (BI) to adopt and use mobile applications, while social influence (SI) has no impact on the same. Facilitating conditions (FC) and BI are the strongest determinants of mobile application adoption and use for micro-enterprise operations. Conclusion: All the constructs of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model showed a satisfactory level of reliability and discriminant validity, which was confirmed by testing the measurement model against two competing models. The UTAUT model is a good predictor of the intention to adopt and use mobile applications for micro-enterprise operations. Contribution: The findings provide parameters to develop a focussed strategy to catalyse the adoption and subsequent use of mobile applications among micro-entrepreneurs. It further informs initiatives to close the gap of a known reluctance in using technology among micro-enterprises.

AbstractThe prolonged lockdown inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the sustainability of all economic sectors, including micro-entrepreneurs. In the endemic phase transition, many still struggle to survive. Anecdotal evidence showed that successful entrepreneurs are those who maximize digitalization and believe in their capabilities or self-efficacy. Intrigued with the evidence and emulating Social Cognitive Theory, this study investigates whether entrepreneurs with high digital adoption and self-efficacy will succeed in their business ventures. The study also examines the relationship between digital adoption and self-efficacy. Additionally, the study predicts that self-efficacy mediates the proposed relationship. Employing a quantitative and survey approach, the researchers distributed a questionnaire to 350 micro-entrepreneurs from marginalized communities in Kelantan, Malaysia. A total of 245 entrepreneurs responded, but only 240 data were usable. The SPSS and AMOS version 26 analysis indicated that; digital adoption and self-efficacy are significant determinants of micro-entrepreneurs’ business success, digital adoption relates to self-efficacy, and self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between digital adoption and business success. The discoveries shed light on policymakers, poverty eradication agencies, academia, and the likes in formulating strategies and intervention programs to enhance marginalized entrepreneurs’ success. Besides being resilient, successful entrepreneurs will elevate their social status and thus reduce national poverty. Eventually, the discoveries will fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals agenda of the United Nations in which all nations should be free from poverty by the year 2030.

Purpose – Despite the noticeable consequences of disruptive financial innovations, access to finance remains a major factor inhibiting the sustainable-growth potentials of young micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings. This study examines the determinants of financing options among micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings. Specifically, the study seeks to establish whether credit history, income, asset, gender, awareness and network capability have effects on formal and informal financing options among micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings. Design/methodology/approach – This article uses the survey research design and administers a structured questionnaire among 300 purposively selected micro-entrepreneurs within the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Only 291 completed questionnaires are retrieved. This article also uses the multiple regression analysis to estimate the empirical model and test the research hypotheses respectively. Findings – This article establishes that: (1) credit history and assets-based financing are significant determinants of formal financing options among young micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings, (2) gender and network capability are significant determinants of informal financing options among young micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings and (3) awareness is significant of both formal and informal financing options among young micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings. Originality/value – This article examines the determinants of financing option among young micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings. Specifically, the study seeks to establish whether credit history income asset gender awareness and network capability have effects on formal and informal financing options among micro-entrepreneurs in informal settings.

The article aims to identify personality traits of micro-entrepreneurs that favour their innovativeness. Based on the literature review and combining the issue of personality traits of micro-entrepreneurs, seen from the perspective of facets of the Big Five traits, with their innovativeness, understood according to the Oslo methodology, the following research question was formulated: Do facets of micro entrepreneurs’ personality traits positively affect their innovativeness? The empirical part used microdata obtained in 2022 from a survey of a representative sample of 1,848 Polish micro-entrepreneurs. A multivariate probit model was used for the estimation. The key conclusions are as follows. Firstly, the personality of a micro-entrepreneur, perceived from the perspective of its aspects, plays an important role in their broadly understood innovativeness. Secondly, not all personality aspects analysed have the same impact. Third, only one aspect of personality traits, namely aesthetics, positively affects all types of innovation. Fourth, other aspects affecting more than half of the types of innovations surveyed include orderliness, assertiveness, activity, and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The policy approach in Pakistan with regard to combating the informal economy has remained quite myopic and skewed in its reliance on measures informed by the rational economic-actor theory as opposed to the social-actor approach. Thus, this study attempts to evaluate and synthesise the two alternative policy approaches and formulate a more theoretically integrative understanding of the subject. Design/methodology/approach: The authors gather data from 600 micro-entrepreneurs operating in the retail and wholesale sector of Lahore, Pakistan, which is then analysed using an ordered logit regression technique. Findings: In contrast to more developed countries, the finding here is that higher perceived penalties have a highly significant and positive impact on the level of formality of Pakistani micro-entrepreneurs. The perceived risk of detection, meanwhile, has only a moderately significant impact on the micro-entrepreneurs level of formality. Likewise, the level of vertical and horizontal trust has a positive but moderately significant impact on the level of formality. Nonetheless, both the vertical and horizontal trust exhibit a very significant moderating effect on the relationship between the use of penalties and the level of formality, that is, the higher the level of trust that the micro-entrepreneurs have in the state and other businesses, the lower is the effectiveness of punitive measures. Practical implications: Deterrence is an effective way to enhance the level of formality in the case of the Pakistani context. Nonetheless, the authors imply that without building trust, this overreliance on punitive and detective measures can actually be counter-productive. A combined and congruent (not sequential) use of voluntary compliance measures is thus warranted. Originality/value: It is a unique attempt to evaluate and synthesise the global policy theorisations in a non-mainstream and antagonistic climate, such as Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outdoor tourism is on the growth agenda of public strategies and public-private development partnerships in many peripheral areas of the world, raising high expectations for job creation and rural development. Based on participant observation in an outdoor tourism cluster project and qualitative interviews with other tourism and regional development actors on the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark, this research asks how the micro-entrepreneurs and volunteer event organizers contribute to rural destination development, and how their contributions can best be supported by regional development actors. Drawing on the concepts of placial engagement and translocal connections, the research shows that micro-entrepreneurs' and volunteer event organizers' mobility and multi-local place engagement, combined with their orientation towards goals other than profit maximation, represent a strong rural place-development potential – a potential that tends to be undervalued by established tourism and regional development actors. The small-scale outdoor tourism actors show strong collaborative and networking behaviour regarding business, product, and place development. In addition to (modest) tourism-generated income and (often part-time) employment, they contribute by providing new residents, business diversity and flexibility, translocal resources and knowledge, as well as actively engage in place-making and branding. These diverse qualities can be argued to strengthen innovation, attractiveness and community resilience in economically challenged rural areas. The relevance of using a translocal perspective on tourism entrepreneurship and rural destination development is exemplified by the article in its presentation of the wider development contributions of the micro outdoor tourism actors which are important to acknowledge for regional development actors to build on them strategically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted micro-entrepreneurs worldwide. Some need to remain open to survive; some need to shift employees to remote work, and some need to shut down to save cost. Although there is an incentive and assisting funds given by the government, the fund might only last for three months. The funds might be accessed through Islamic Social Finance tools (Zakat, Waqf, Baytulmal, Ar-Rahnu). ISF is assisting and supporting micro-entrepreneurs to survive. Although ISF mitigates the risk by providing fund assistance to micro-entrepreneurs, it is essential to know how far this assistance can further backing them to survive in doing business. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the significance of social finance in Islamic ways to stabilize micro-entrepreneurs' income during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey consists of 200 questionnaires distributed to micro-entrepreneurs in three states in Malaysia between June to August 2020. The finding shows that ISF plays an essential role in stabilizing income among micro-entrepreneurs during pandemic COVID-19.

Entrepreneurship is the means of creating new and innovative concerns. People with unique and distinct knowledge can start an enterprise with the intention of earning and employment generation. In the era of inflation, it becoming very difficult to lead a life with ease. Since government cannot give employment to every single person in the society, it has facilitated the people with lots of financial and non-financial institutions from where they can borrow and start their own concerns. Now it has seen in the society also that people are working for themselves. Lots of micro-entrepreneurs are working in the society and serving the country and other people as well. It has a huge contribution in the economic development also. Everything was going smooth and lots of people were getting their employment also. But the covid situation cause the problem in the path of success of the micro-entrepreneurs. Pandemic situation created huge problem in the work culture of industries. With the help of this present set of research work researcher tends to find out the problems faced by the entrepreneurs due to pandemic. It was found that entrepreneurs failed to maintain their financial position as they had to pay their all the fixed costs like, instalments of loans, salary, electricity bills, etc. without having constant earnings. Despite of having regular work they had to take care of all their employees’ family also. As lots of people have lost their jobs, entrepreneurs also suffer from lots of consequences. After reviewing all the factors affecting the industry due to covid pandemic and analysing the situations researcher suggested that entrepreneurs should add more attractive factors and benefits in their products, so that they can attract more new customers towards their products. Also, they should change their mode of advertisement and marketing to reach their customers with more precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited information on the academic performance obtained by teaching through an i4.0 educational system. Therefore, this article aims to close the gap by presenting the existing literature and the quantitative results obtained from the evaluations and surveys made to micro-entrepreneurs with little knowledge of digital technologies, and in many cases with different levels of education, who have been trained during the COVID-19 pandemic, between August and December 2020. The business training program used an i4.0 educational system based on IoT, the cloud, social networks and Web services. The results showed that the participants achieved a satisfactory academic performance and met the objectives of the training program in business-related topics. Likewise, the results established that the academic performance of the student in a business training program through an i4.0 system is not directly related to the student's previous educational level.

En este trabajo analizamos los resultados de la caracterización de la cultura financiera en microempresarios de Cartagena (Distrito Turístico y Cultural de Cartagena), Bolívar, Colombia. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 322 participantes, de los cuales 43.5% posee microempresas del giro de comercialización, lo que evidencia la importancia de fortalecer las estrategias de comunicación y distribución para afianzar el crecimiento de dicho sector. Por otro lado, 18.6% se dedica a la transformación y 37.9% a la prestación de servicios. Respecto de la antigüedad como propietario del negocio, 47.5% lleva menos de 5 años, por ello y teniendo en cuenta la permanencia en el mercado, es importante hacer estudios que permitan medir con frecuencia los gustos y las preferencias de los clientes y las fluctuaciones del mercado; el resto de la muestra se divide de la siguiente manera: 21.7% tiene entre 5 y 10 años en el negocio, 11.2% entre 10 y 15 años, y 19.6% más de 15 años. Además, 56.8% de los dueños es de género masculino y 43.2% femenino. En cuanto a la edad, 44.1% de los microempresarios es menor de 30 años, lo cual indica que los jóvenes muestran gran interés en continuar siendo partícipes en los emprendimientos como microempresarios en Cartagena; 24.8% tiene entre 31 y 40 años, 20.5% está en la franja de los 41 a los 50 años y el restante 10.6% cuenta con 51 años o más. Respecto al estado civil, 30.7% es casado, 42.3% es soltero —que representa la población con mayor participación en el ejercicio—, 24.5% vive en unión libre y 2.5% es divorciado. En cuanto a escolaridad, 3.8% tiene educación básica, 48.4% obtuvo el título de bachiller y 43.8% cursó estudios profesionales. Abstract This paper analyzes the results of the characterization of financial culture among microentrepreneurs in Cartagena (Tourist and Cultural District of Cartagena), Bolívar, Colombia. The sample consisted of 322 participants, 43.5% of whom are owners of microenterprises operating in the retail sector, which demonstrates the importance of strengthening communication and distribution strategies thus consolidating the growth of this sector. On the other hand, 18.6% are engaged in processing and 37.9% in the provision of services. With respect to the seniority as an entrepreneur, 47.5% have been in business for less than 5 years, therefore, and taking into account their permanence in the market, it is important to conduct studies that allow frequent assessment of customers’ tastes and preferences in addition to market fluctuations; the rest of the sample is divided as follows: 21.7% have been in business between 5 and 10 years, 11.2% between 10 and 15 years and 19.6% more than 15 years. In addition, 56.8% of owners are male and 43.2% are female. In terms of age, 44.1% of the micro-entrepreneurs are under the age of 30, which indicates that young people show great interest in continuing to participate in micro entrepreneurial ventures in Cartagena; 24.8% are between 31 and 40 years old, 20.5% are between 41 and 50, and the remaining 10.6% are 51 years of age or older. Regarding marital status, 30.7% are married, 42.3% are single -which represents the population with the highest participation in the exercise-, 24.5% live in a free union and 2.5% are divorced. In terms of schooling, 3.8% have an elementary education, 48.4% have a high school diploma and 43.8% have a bachelor’s degree.

Social enterprises present themselves as viable instruments to alleviate poverty and engage marginalized women in the development process. In the Philippines, 89 percent of businesses are microenterprises. Women account for 30 percent of the total population underemployed. A potential exists where social enterprises can improve the earning capacity of women especially those coming from vulnerable groups. This study addresses the questions: How do social enterprises empower women micro-entrepreneurs from poorer sectors of Philippine society? What value networks are created which enhance the co-creation and partnership of women micro-entrepreneurs in the respective social enterprises they are involved in? By examining cases of twenty women micro-entrepreneurs working in social enterprises set up through Gawad Kalinga, a non-government intermediary organization, the factors that lead to the transformation and empowerment of these women micro-entrepreneurs are identified. The importance of soft skills training combined with the important role of networks are noted as indicators for the increased economic contribution of Filipina micro-entrepreneurs not only to their families but to the community at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates micro entrepreneurs’ financing experiences with the Islamic Banks of Pakistan. To accomplish this research objective, a survey of 150 micro-entrepreneurs was conducted in three major cities of Pakistan namely Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar. The result of our survey revealed that majority of the entrepreneurs’ income is not sufficient to meet their basic needs. The underlying reasons are large number of dependents, lack of education and lack of access to better sources of income. The results of this study suggest that micro entrepreneurs do not have formal access to micro financing either from the Islamic banks or conventional banks. Further high interest rates in conventional banks are also discouraging micro entrepreneurs. The majority of the respondents also feel that neither Islamic banks nor the government of Pakistan are encouraging lower income micro-entrepreneurs. The results showed that a majority of respondents who applied for financing in Islamic banks were rejected. The results highlight that there is a strong need for Islamic banks to look into their existing business model and diversify their products that can cater needs of micro-entrepreneurs to bring social justice in the society.

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While studies on micro-entrepreneurship at base of pyramid (BoP) are plenty, however, there is scant research on how conflicts induce entrepreneurial resilience, self-efficacy and help shape the social compact with fragile states in BoP conflict zones. Using the theoretical perspective of fragile states theory, this article uses the research context of ongoing violent conflict amidst terrorist activities in the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). This study uses a qualitative method to address its research objectives. Using data from in-depth interviews of 18 BoP micro-entrepreneurs in Indian state of J&K, three-level coding is done to unravel emergent themes. The findings suggest that conflict zones induce individual-level effects to strengthen entrepreneurial resilience, and self-efficacy, and shape the need for a new social compact with the fragile state. The proposed framework contributes to literature by explicating the transformational role of entrepreneurial resilience and self-efficacy in re-shaping social compact in fragile states. The implications of the study include developing equitable and inclusive marketing systems at BoP conflict-inflicted zones. The study contributes to theory by showing how micro-entrepreneurship at BoP is affected due to impact of conflict, resulting in emergence of entrepreneurial resilience and self-efficacy, that shapes a new social compact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study utilizing a narrative inquiry was to gain a deeper understanding of the daily challenges for business survival faced by women micro-entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region. A narrative inquiry method was utilized to meet the study's purpose and collect data through storytelling from women entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta about their daily business experiences. A narrative analysis of critical events was utilized to supplement the face-to-face interviews on participants' life experiences with the phenomena under study. Data collection methods also included field notes and video recordings of the participants' storytelling. More information about women-owned microenterprises is critical and significant to inform policymakers that women are an economic force contributing to Nigeria's economy. This study brings new data to the existing literature, highlights new ways of looking at women's involvement in entrepreneurship, and should add significant value to women's entrepreneurship literature. Through this study, practical strategies are suggested to facilitate this set of women micro-entrepreneurs success and well-being. Finding ways to overcome daily business challenges will help them realize an improved economic and personal life for themselves and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micro-credit implies the granting of small loans in the hope of achieving the development of business units through financial institutions in the peripheral Peruvian population. In this context, the objective of the article is to determine the relationship between micro-credit and the development of micro-enterprises in rural areas. 278 women micro-entrepreneurs were interviewed, the data collection instrument was subjected to a validity by expert judgments with a coefficient of agreement of 97% and Cronbach’s internal alpha consistency of 0.90. The results obtained show that the super woman’s micro-credit has a direct and significant relationship with the development of micro-enterprises in rural areas according to the Spearman’s Correlation coefficient (rho 0.84, Sig. 0.000*). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Information technology is fundamentally changing the world today. The power of technology applicable fastly in Islamic financial technology (i-Fintech), as it expands access to mobile financial services. This is evidenced by the increasing number of customers who interact using technology, especially micro-entrepreneurs, who adopt the tools into their business models to tap into this opportunity to enhance their income. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the impact of i-fintech use in stabilising micro-entrepreneurs’ income. A quantitative technique was employed through the use of 120 questionnaires distributed to micro-entrepreneurs who had adopted i-fintech into their business. Using Amos and SEM models, the study indicates that crowdfunding, mobile money and peer-to-peer lending play a significant role in ensuring income sustainability for micro-entrepreneurs. The study also discusses both the theoretical and managerial implications in comprehending the determinants of sustainable income growth in Malaysia. The findings should help practitioners, researchers and regulators to have better understanding of the dynamics between the potential of i-fintech and sustainable income.

The study probed into the products, motivations, benefits, and challenges of selected micro-entrepreneurs of agritourism enterprises in the Philippines. The proponents derived the responses of fifteen key participants using a case study - qualitative method, particularly the inductive approach in which the researchers looked for patterns in the data generated through interviews and observations. Fifteen farm owners, who are mostly male, operate their agritourism venture as a single proprietor to sell organic fruits, vegetables, dairy, and poultry to visitors. They substantiate these products with creative experiences like farming experience, animal feeding, and hands-on food preparation. They enhance their visitors’ experience with minimal primary facilities such as a visitors’ lounge in a farm setting, staging area, animal viewing zone, souvenir stores, walking trails, basic toilets, and dining areas. They are motivated to re-create their farms as an agritourism destination to fulfill their intrinsic desires of achievement and locus of control, and seize the opportunities brought by extrinsic factors of market-driven, profitability as well as economic impact. From the responses of the owners and farmers, benefits derived from the agritourism venture fall into three major categories, including economic, environmental, and socio-cultural. Consequent to the narratives of the key informants regarding the challenges in agritourism indicate three significant dimensions of operational, infrastructural, and natural factors. Farmers and owners can exploit agritourism even in a limited setting. As an enterprise, it imposes a more sophisticated entrepreneurial mindset. These results indicate that agritourism can become a dependable economic driver of countryside development and can result to farm diversification as an enticement for many farmers, especially those keeping small farms. Microentrepreneurs in agritourism need to address the limitations presented in the study to ascertain the sustainability of agritourism even in small agricultural resources.

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the impact of economic vulnerability upon entrepreneurial competencies (i.e. commitment competency, conceptual competency, opportunity recognition competency, organizing competency, relationship competency and strategic competency) among respondents from varied development initiatives established by the eKasih program (National Poverty Data Bank) in Peninsular Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach - Upon adopting the cross-sectional design, data were randomly gathered from selected 300 micro-entrepreneurs from the list of development organizations available in the eKasih (National Poverty Data Bank), located at four states in Peninsular Malaysia. The quantitative data were gathered by performing structured interview sessions from September until November 2017. Findings - The outcomes of the study displayed that economic vulnerability has a significantly negative effect upon commitment, opportunity recognition, organizing and strategic competency. On the other hand, the results showcased that economi c vulnerability has a significantly positive effect on competency, but insignificantly positive impact upon conceptual competency. Originality/value - These study outcomes appear to extend the scope of the resource-based view, apart from enriching the existing entrepreneurial competency literature, particularly within the Malaysian context. Hence, it is recommended that the government of Malaysia and development organizations should focus on maximizing the level of competency among micro-entrepreneurs as a viable approach to decrease the effect of economic vulnerability.

Given the key role that entrepreneurs play in a country’s economic growth, there is a need to study how entrepreneurs innovate for their firm’s survival. This study aims to investigate the mediating effect of proactive personality on the relationship between core self-evaluations (CSE) and innovative behaviors among microentrepreneurs. Data was obtained from a survey administered to 307 micro entrepreneurs in Jakarta, Indonesia and its surrounding cities. Data was tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro on SPSS. Results showed that proactive personality mediated the relationship between CSE and innovative behavior, whereby CSE leads to proactive personality, which in turn influences innovative behavior. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are further discussed