Sustainability of entrepreneurship approach to alleviate poverty in rural areas

• Main Author: Hassan, Kalthum
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/8768/; http://www.icois2013.uum.edu.my/

Entrepreneurship approach is introduced as an alternative approach to alleviate poverty in many parts of the world. The main objective is to encourage poor households to engage with entrepreneurship activities specifically in small businesses to increase the household incomes.Financial supports in terms of loans and subsidies for this purpose are provided by numerous government and non-government agencies.Introduction of micro-credit facilities has accelerated the involvement of poor women in entrepreneurship.Several studies show that most women participating in businesses experienced increased in incomes.In addition, studies have shown that women tend to spend a large portion of their incomes for the welfare of their households and in the long run many of the household escaped from poverty.Even though, the trend has proved a promising outcome to the participants and their households, there are various other issues need to be investigated to ensure that the approach complies with sustainability issue.This is due to the current practice whereby women are still been burden with household works even though they have changed their main role from household managers to business managers.The study suggests that to ensure the sustainability of the approach in the long run, good supporting facilities and systems should be made available before and during participation of women in entrepreneurship to ensure the welfare of women is not been jeopadized despite increased in quality of life of the other household members. In addition, there should be mechanisms to monitor the continuity and continued growth of the businesses initiated by the poor women in rural areas.