Entrepreneurial behavior of rural women in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar

Abstract

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in driving the economic growth of any nation, and the advancement of women in entrepreneurship is an indispensable component of this process. A study was undertaken in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar during the period of 2020-2021 to assess the personal and socio-economic backgrounds as well as the entrepreneurial behavior of rural women engaged in business ventures. The study surveyed 120 respondents and gathered primary data through semi-structured interviews. Entrepreneurial behavior was examined across three dimensions: production efficiency, managerial acumen, and market knowledge. Results revealed that a majority of rural women entrepreneurs (65%) exhibited a moderate level of entrepreneurial behavior, with smaller percentages displaying high (18.3%) or low (16.7%) levels. The analysis also indicated that rural women entrepreneurs typically had moderate levels of extension contacts, exposure to mass media, participation in organizations, aspirations, and value orientation. Furthermore, a positive and significant correlation was observed between personal and socio-economic characteristics such as land holding size, annual income, extension contacts, mass media exposure, and level of aspiration with entrepreneurial behavior among rural women.