Female Business Owners In Apparel Manufacturing: An Integrative Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate Brush's (1992) integrative perspective of female business owners. The sample included 22 women apparel-manufacturing owners purposively chosen to participate in on-site interviews. A 36-item interview schedule was used to assess business owners' current business practices, provide information about their family, and to characterize their career as a business owner in apparel manufacturing. A Windows version of NUD*IST 4 was used to analyze the data. These women perceived being their own boss as a benefit and measured success in non-economic terms. Motives for business creation were personal fulfillment and professional achievement. They expressed regret about ownership if spouses were reported as unsupportive or if children were in the home. Brush's (1992) integrative perspective was validated, in part. These women perceived themselves in a network of work and family relationships.

An Exploratory Study of Lifestyle Entrepreneurship and Its Relationship to Life Quality

“…However, casting these individuals as business owners solely focused on offering personality and charm misses the motivations of a vast number of lifestyle entrepreneurs. This is supported in FCS literature that states balance between work life and family life is critical to personal happiness and perceptions of overall health (Horridge & Craig, 2001;McNabb, 2004). This is supported in FCS literature that states balance between work life and family life is critical to personal happiness and perceptions of overall health (Horridge & Craig, 2001;McNabb, 2004).…”

“…The need for understanding entrepreneurship and its relationship to life quality is underscored by current societal and environmental trends such as greater choices in work, multiple careers, the growing number of female-and minority-owned businesses, the increasing need for balancing work and family issues, and the impact of globalization on community economies and employment opportunities (American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2004;Horridge & Craig, 2001;Key & Firebaugh, 1989;Kim, Sharpe, & Kim, 2002;McNabb, 2004). The need for understanding entrepreneurship and its relationship to life quality is underscored by current societal and environmental trends such as greater choices in work, multiple careers, the growing number of female-and minority-owned businesses, the increasing need for balancing work and family issues, and the impact of globalization on community economies and employment opportunities (American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2004;Horridge & Craig, 2001;Key & Firebaugh, 1989;Kim, Sharpe, & Kim, 2002;McNabb, 2004).…”

Profiling Micro Apparel Enterprises in Botswana: Motivations, Practices, Challenges, and Success

“…These criteria for success were consistent with those of U.S. craft retailers who identified sales growth and exceeding customer expectations as criteria for meeting their goals (Paige & Littrell, 2002). Intrinsic criteria for success, including meeting challenges and receiving recognition, also surfaced (Horridge & Craig, 2001;Soldressen et al, 1998 In contrast, a product-related criterion for success that appeared in the research literature was not mentioned by the Botswana women. Although the women believed that their product quality contributed to their success, they may not have identified it as an outcome measure since product development was not mentioned as a challenge to be overcome among these women, already skilled in sewing.…”

“…In 2002, the Ministry of Education mandated that the senior secondary certificate in fashion and fabrics include significant course Littrell, Stout, & Reilly (1991) • enjoyment/paying for a hobby • reach financial goals -craft producers -USA, women and men Craig, Martin, & Horridge (1997) • freedom • flexibility of work/family -apparel manufacturers • learning and innovation • respect from friends -USA, women • make money from hobby Dickson & Littrell (1998) • personal growth • family well-being, better -apparel/craft manufacturers life for children -Guatemala, women • provide work for family/friends Horridge & Craig (2001) • personal fulfillment • professional achievement -apparel manufacturing • independence • financial, increase income -USA, women Other Small Businesses Hisrich & Brush (1984) • frustration and boredom -USA, women • autonomy/independence Brush (1992) • flexibility to balance work/family Teo (1996) • perceived presence of • freedom/flexibility • recognition -Singapore, women business opportunity • personal growth • financial independence • desire to put knowledge/ skills to use • desire for challenge and • block to career advancement self-determination • balance work/family -USA, women • experience excitement • poor organizational dynamics in • enhance self-esteem previous job • respect/recognition Kuratko, Hornsby, & Naffziger • independence/autonomy/ • recognition (1997) be own boss • wealth -USA, women and men • prove can do it/excitement • family security Maysami & Goby (1999) • doing things a better way • need for self-determination • control own future/financial destiny -worldwide, women Feldman & Bolino (2000) • use my skills/abilities • greater control over life • live where/how I like -USA, women and men • greater ability to be creative work to equip students with the necessary skills for operating a textile-related small business. Currently very limited research on small businesses in Botswana exists as a basis for technical program development.…”

Challenges and Benefits of Made in the USA Manufacturing: A Study of Small Business Owners

“…Though women were not specifically targeted for the current study, the responses of the all-female participants mirrored findings of the female-focused study by Horridge and Craig (2001), indicating that female entrepreneurs in the apparel industry today continue to be motivated and challenged by similar circumstances. More specifically, this study identified challenges and benefits experienced by a small sample of producers within the Made in the USA apparel sector.…”