نوع مقاله : پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• زهرا اسکندری ¹
• رسول عباسی ²
• محمدرضا فلاح ³

¹ کارشناس ارشد مدیریت بازرگانی، گروه مدیریت بازرگانی، دانشکده مدیریت و حسابداری، دانشگاه حضرت معصومه(س)، قم، ایران

² گروه مدیریت بازرگانی، دانشکده مدیریت و حسابداری، دانشگاه حضرت معصومه(س)، قم، ایران

³ گروه مدیریت بازرگانی، دانشکده مدیریت و حسابداری، دانشگاه حضرت معصومه (س)، قم، ایران.

چکیده

کسب‌وکارهای خانگی علاوه بر اینکه نقش قابل‌توجهی در تولید ناخالص داخلی کشورها دارند، پیوندی میان فضای خانه و فعالیت اقتصادی ایجاد کرده‌اند. این کسب‌وکارها در کشورهای در حال توسعه برای زنان و به‌ویژه زنان سرپرست خانوار می‌توانند ابزار مهمی برای توانمندسازی و کسب استقلال اقتصادی باشند. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تجارب زیسته زنان سرپرست خانوار در راه‌اندازی و اداره کسب‌وکارهای خانگی انجام شده است. رویکرد پژوهش کیفی و از نوع پدیدارشناسی است. روش نمونه‌گیری، غیر احتمالی از نوع قضاوتی بود که طی آن، ۱۹ زن سرپرست خانوار در شهرستان اسلام‌آباد غرب انتخاب و داده‌ها از طریق مصاحبه‌های نیمه‌ساختاریافته به دست آمد. تحلیل داده‌های کیفی با استفاده از روش هفت‌مرحله‌ای کولایزی صورت گرفته است. تحلیل داده‌ها نشان داد که تجارب مشارکت‌کنندگان در سه دسته اصلی شامل: شناخت الزامات کسب‌وکار خانگی، مهارت در مدیریت فروش، و مواجهه با چالش‌های فردی، محیطی و جنسیتی قابل طبقه‌بندی است. یافته‌ها بیانگر آن است که ورود به عرصه کارآفرینی فرصت‌های ارزشمندی برای این زنان و خانواده‌هایشان فراهم کرده، اما همزمان با موانع متعددی همراه است. این امر ضرورت تدوین سیاست‌ها و برنامه‌های حمایتی مؤثر و متناسب با نیازهای این گروه از زنان را برجسته می‌سازد. همچنین ارائه آموزش‌های تخصصی و حمایت‌های مالی می‌تواند مسیر پایدارتری برای توسعه این نوع کسب‌وکارها توسط این زنان فراهم آورد.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• زنان سرپرست خانوار
• کسب‌و‌کار خانگی
• تجربه زیسته
• پدیدارشناختی

موضوعات

• کارآفرینی

عنوان مقاله [English]

The lived experiences of female heads of household in home businesses: A phenomenological exploration

نویسندگان [English]

• Zahra Eskandari ¹
• Rasoul Abbasi ²
• Mohammad Reza Fallah ³

¹ Master of Business Management, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Hazrat-e Masoumeh University, Qom, Iran

² Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Hazrat-e Masoumeh University, Qom, Iran

³ Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Hazrat-e Masoumeh University, Qom, Iran.

چکیده [English]

Introduction

Home-based businesses not only play a significant role in a country’s gross domestic product but also create a link between domestic space and economic activity. These businesses can be particularly important for women, especially female heads of households in developing countries, as they serve as a crucial tool for empowerment and economic independence. Female-headed households, due to specific circumstances such as the loss of a spouse, cultural biases, and financial difficulties, have turned to home-based businesses. These businesses can serve as a tool for empowering these women and reducing the poverty of vulnerable households. Women in home-based businesses, especially those who are heads of households, face numerous limitations and challenges. Investigating their experiences in entering the entrepreneurial domain and starting a home-based business can provide valuable guidelines for government officials in smoothing the path and supporting entrepreneurship for this particular group of women. Previous research has addressed the issue of female-headed households and their limitations; however, the lived experiences of female heads of households in starting a home-based business have not been explored. Therefore, given the lack of prior research on the experiences of entrepreneurial female heads of households, this study aims to examine the lived experiences of female heads of households in establishing and managing home-based businesses in Iran.





Methodology

This research employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of female-headed households in establishing and developing home-based businesses. The primary aim was to identify these women's experiences in order to provide valuable information for policymakers and legislators. In this study, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with entrepreneurial women who have been running home-based businesses for at least three years. Purposeful sampling was used, and data collection continued until data saturation was reached. The interview questions focused on social, cultural, and gender-related barriers to starting a business, resource acquisition, and challenges in product sales. Data analysis was conducted using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Initially, the data was analyzed through coding and the extraction of key concepts. Then, the meanings were organized into categories to identify core concepts. The reliability of the analysis was assessed through inter-coder reliability, with a 92% agreement rate between two coders. Moreover, the validity of the results was confirmed through participant feedback. Overall, this research addresses the challenges and factors influencing the success of home-based businesses run by female-headed households and provides an appropriate tool for better understanding this phenomenon.



Findings

The findings indicate that participants’ experiences can be classified into three main categories: prerequisites for home-based businesses, proficiency in sales management, and challenges faced by female-headed households.

A. Prerequisites for home-based businesses

Female heads of households cited several reasons for choosing home-based businesses, including spousal loss, financial responsibilities, and cultural restrictions discouraging women from working outside the home. Additional considerations such as preserving personal dignity, overcoming societal stigmas, and balancing professional and familial responsibilities also influenced their decisions. Unique circumstances such as previous legal issues, imprisonment, or limited education further motivated them toward entrepreneurship. These women acquired the necessary skills through various avenues, including family mentorship, expert training, vocational programs, and self-guided learning via online platforms. Charitable organizations and hands-on experience also contributed to their skill development. Additionally, technology adoption—such as using YouTube for education, social media for marketing, and design software for innovation—enhanced their business success.

B. Proficiency in sales management

Entrepreneurial women employed diverse strategies to market and sell their products, including word-of-mouth referrals, social media advertising, and traditional print promotions. Initially, their sales were limited to acquaintances, but over time, they expanded their customer base to include strangers and institutional buyers. Many leveraged online sales platforms and participated in local events and markets to boost their visibility. Some adopted intermediary-based sales strategies or established direct contracts with institutions such as schools and production workshops, allowing them to increase market reach and achieve financial stability.

C. Challenges faced by female-headed households

Despite their determination, female heads of households face substantial individual and environmental challenges. Personal difficulties include limited knowledge of digital technologies, the lack of permanent product display spaces, and physically demanding work with low financial returns. Early-stage losses, low customer engagement, and isolation also hinder progress. Moreover, securing loans remains difficult due to the absence of guarantors and inadequate legal and marketing knowledge. At an environmental level, bureaucratic loan approval processes, competition with cheap imports, shortages of raw materials, and the lack of insurance or trade unions significantly obstruct business growth. Gender-based discrimination, including skepticism regarding women’s capabilities and demands for financial guarantees, further complicates their entrepreneurial journey. Nevertheless, these women demonstrate resilience and creativity, utilizing their resourcefulness to navigate obstacles and progress in their businesses.



Conclusion

Home-based businesses not only create job opportunities for female-headed households but also play a crucial role in reducing poverty and improving the quality of life for vulnerable families. This study highlights the transformative potential of such businesses in enabling women to achieve financial independence while fulfilling their familial responsibilities. Despite the positive outcomes, significant barriers persist. Gender biases and cultural prejudices remain major impediments, emphasizing the need for systemic changes in societal attitudes and structural frameworks. To ensure the growth and sustainability of home-based businesses, institutional and governmental support is imperative. This includes providing low-interest or collateral-free loans, offering vocational training, and establishing robust support systems such as unions and insurance schemes. Policy measures should also focus on addressing cultural norms and creating awareness to foster an inclusive environment that empowers women. Furthermore, practical steps such as organizing regular markets, enabling access to technology, and providing financial incentives are essential to help these entrepreneurs thrive. In conclusion, home-based businesses represent a viable solution for alleviating poverty, promoting economic empowerment, and challenging traditional gender roles in society. Strategic planning and targeted policy interventions can not only improve the living conditions of female-headed households but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable economic and social development. This study offers valuable insights and a foundation for future research on the role of social capital, technology, and institutional support in enhancing the outcomes of home-based businesses. To address the limitations of this study, it is recommended that future research include broader and more diverse samples from various cultural backgrounds. Additionally, to enhance the reliability of the data, it is suggested that the findings of this study be tested quantitatively on a larger statistical population.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• Female heads of household
• Home business
• Lived experience
• Phenomenology