Entrepreneurial mothers' behaviours on their business and family life: a case study in Sri Lanka

Abstract

PurposeThis study examines women entrepreneurs' understanding of motherhood and entrepreneurial career and how they negotiate this combination with their gendered understandings and social norms in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews from 20 entrepreneurial mothers in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Sub-samples were taken to achieve demographic heterogeneity.FindingsThis study found that entrepreneurial mothers do not perceive their business as separate from their motherhood understanding. They believe that their profession is a part of motherhood responsibilities. This study also found that to negotiate a combination of roles, these mothers employed two coping strategies at different levels: family and business.Research limitations/implicationsAs the sample size is small, an extended research strategy would be more effective. Future research could seek to identify strategies that women entrepreneurs use to balance their business–family life.Practical implicationsThis research provides implications for balancing business and family life for women entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThe paper extends the cultural and geographical scope of the literature on women entrepreneurs' business–family life experiences.

Pursuing work-life balance: A study of Sri Lankan mumpreneurs

“…Research from Sri Lanka suggests the same: Kodagoda and Samaratunge (2022) argue that entrepreneurial mothers perceive their profession to be coalesced with their motherhood responsibilities in their roles as nurturers as well as financial providers. Moreover, research on women professionals reveals that, despite the downsides of working long hours, these women value being gainfully employed (Kodagoda, 2018).…”

“…In such a climate, entrepreneurship presents an opportunity for women to earn an income whilst maintaining flexibility over their work schedule and helping them achieve worklife balance (Jayawardena, 2020). Moreover, Kodagoda and Samaratunge (2022) argue that entrepreneurial mothers do not perceive entrepreneurship as distinct from their understanding of motherhood; they consider entrepreneurship as a part of their motherhood responsibilities, where they are able to fulfil their role as nurturers whilst also financially providing for their children. Building on this research, identifying what strategies are used to balance their work and family life may provide some insight into women's experiences and challenges engaging in entrepreneurship.…”

“…Kodagoda (2012) observes that motherhood practices have a significant impact on women's working lives and that mothers tend to prioritize their children's needs above their own. Cultural values act as structural constraints shaping the decisions women make about their business and family lives (Kodagoda & Samaratunge, 2022). Mayanthi's account highlights that she perceives prioritizing motherhood over entrepreneurship as a familial expectation that must be adhered to, rather than a personal choice.…”

Different shades of learning after entrepreneurial failure among Ghanaian micro women entrepreneurs

“…Globally, micro-women entrepreneurship is accepted because their entrepreneurial activities empower them, create new jobs for themselves and others (Bullough et al , 2022), are key contributors to poverty alleviation (Rosca et al , 2020), and provide women with an opportunity to have flexible private and public lives (Kodagoda and Samaratunge, 2022). Given that entrepreneurship is associated with a degree of uncertainty and ambiguity, failure is a common phenomenon in entrepreneurial ventures (Shepherd, 2003).…”