HOME-BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIAL WELL BEING OF WOMEN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the role for home-based entrepreneurship in enhancing the social welfare of women in Pakistan. In particular, it explores the mediating effect of economic contribution between entrepreneurial intention and social well-being of the women and the moderating effect of family support between entrepreneurial intention and economic contribution. Design/methodology/approach:  This research adopted a quantitative cross-sectional research design and surveyed 200 women involved in home based entrepreneurial activities in urban and rural areas of Pakistan. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with the help of SmartPLS 3 software to examine the proposed moderated mediation relationships. Results: Findings indicate that the economic contribution of women has a significant impact on the social well-being of women, such as social acceptance, integration, perceived social value. The findings revealed that all the family-to-business support factors have a positive impact on the economic contribution of women, and the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and economic contribution is significantly strengthened. In contrast, entrepreneurial intention showed a negative direct correlation with the economic contribution, indicating that there are contextual and socio-cultural obstacles that can impede the link between entrepreneurial intention and economic results. Furthermore, the direct effect of family support on social well-being was negative and significant, and the direct effect of family support between the economic contribution and the social well-being was not statistically significant. Research limitations/implications:  The study has a cross-sectional design and only used purposive sampling, which may limit generalizability. Longitudinal studies and larger representative samples could be used in future studies to further validate the findings in various socio-cultural contexts. Practical implications:  The study underscores the necessity of supportive family structures, entrepreneurial facilitation and policies that include women, for improving women’s economic participation and social empowerment in patriarchal societies. Financial empowerment should not be the only priority for policymakers and development bodies; social wellbeing of women entrepreneurs should also be considered. Originality/value: This research has added value to the literature by proposing and testing an integrated moderated mediation model between entrepreneurial intention, economic contribution, and family support and social well-being of HWEEs in Pakistan. It builds on previous entrepreneurship studies by focusing on the psychosocial dimensions of women's entrepreneurial involvement, in addition to economic aspects.

Keywords: homebased entrepreneurs, social wellbeing, economic contribution, family to business support.