Home-based work or non-home-based work? Factors influencing work choices of women in the informal sector

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to determine the factors influencing the job choices of Indian women working in the informal manufacturing sector. The informal sector has always played a significant role in emerging and developing countries. This study investigates the effect of social cultural norms influencing women informal workers in the manufacturing sector to participate in home-based work (HBW) or non-home-based work (non-HBW) .Design/methodology/approachBoth Quantitative and Qualitative methodology have been used. In accordance with descriptive statistics, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed to assess women's likelihood of participation in home-based activities. To gain a more in-depth insight, semi-structured interviews were used to collect the perspectives of both men and women workers. The data were analysed using narrative analysis.FindingsThe findings reveal that a high fixed cost is a key driver of HBW. Workers prefer to work from home when the loss of joint household production due to working outside is substantial. Social and cultural standards play a significant effect in job selection for women. These conventions limit women's employment options, and the current study demonstrates that strong social and cultural standards limit women to home-based jobs only.Social implicationsEnhancing women's involvement in the public realm is critical and may be accomplished by affirmative action; but, for women to be treated equally in their homes and in society, an attitude shift is necessary. Despite the government's initiatives and regulations aimed at protecting informal women workers, many of the programmes and legislation fall short. The position of women in this environment cannot be improved until and unless the norms of society are flexible and liberal for Indian women. The first step would be to educate people and make them aware of the need to abandon outdated practices and embrace new progressive ideals. It will not be achievable just via government efforts; rather, both the government and society must work together to achieve the same goal.Originality/valueThe author hereby declares that this submission is their own work and to the best of their knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. The author would like to undertake the above-mentioned manuscript has not been published elsewhere or under editorial review for publication elsewhere; and that all co-authors have agreed to have seen and approved the manuscript for submission.

Participation and returns from informal service-oriented non-farm enterprises: Evidence from a survey of Nigerian households

“…Male business owners, relative to female owners, demonstrate a lower probability of engaging in wholesale and retail businesses, particularly pronounced in non-HBEs. This gender preference for home-based wholesale and retail trade might stem from the flexibility it offers in balancing household duties and labour market activities [ 31 , 45 , 46 ].…”

“…based wholesale and retail trade might stem from the flexibility it offers in balancing household duties and labour market activities [31,45,46]. Geopolitical disparities notably influence the likelihood of operating HBEs and non-HBEs in wholesale and retail sectors.…”

Who gets to choose: a global perspective on gender, work and choice in the post-pandemic workplace

“…Having less choice when it comes to work matters because unequal perceptions of choice can both signify and perpetuate stalled gender progress (Gerson, 2009). Further, research has shown that gender expectations, specifically, make a difference for individuals' choices around how, when and where they work (Blair-Loy, 2005;Dadheech and Sharma, 2023;Hochschild, 2003). Therefore, if there are gendered differences in choice perceptions, it can both signify and perpetuate gender inequalities when it comes to work (and work-life balance).…”

“…Though our research raises additional questions that would benefit from further investigation, our current findings have implications for policies meant to advance gender equity at work. For working women, policies that relieve some of the burden of domestic responsibilities (such as universal childcare) could help expand perceptions of choice, thus reducing the risk that women's progress in the workplace is stalled due to perceptions that they don't have much choice given the combination of gender expectations and domestic responsibilities (Blair-Loy, 2005; Dadheech and Sharma, 2023). More progressive leave policies could benefit men as well.…”

“…At the same time, perceptions of choice at work are important to examine through a gendered lens specifically since a perceived lack of choice when it comes to workspace can relate to broader structures of inequity that constrain women (Dadheech and Sharma, 2023). If there are gender inequities in perceptions of choice, it can be a reflection of larger gender issues.…”