Journal of Women Entrepreneurship & Business Management (e-ISSN: 2583-8210)

Role of Women Leadership: A Qualitative Case Study at Nova Trust Bank – City Branch, Sri Lanka

2026-06-15T08:21:17+00:00

Women’s participation in the workforce has increased significantly over the past decades; however, their representation in leadership positions remains comparatively low. This study examines the role of women leadership within the banking sector, critically analyzing the factors influencing their career progression. The research adopts a qualitative case study approach, conducted at Nova Trust Bank – City Branch in Sri Lanka. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight key organizational informants representing distinct administrative and operational tiers, selected via a purposive sampling technique. Utilizing Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase framework for thematic analysis, the empirical data were systematically analyzed and mapped into a thematic matrix. The findings reveal that women leaders are predominantly characterized by participative and relationship-oriented leadership styles, which contribute positively to employee engagement and workplace harmony, though their authority remains continuously negotiated against masculinized leadership constructs. However, women face significant barriers, including gender stereotypes, subtle workplace resistance, asymmetric domestic care demands, and gatekept senior administrative tiers, resulting in prolonged career stagnation. The study also highlights the strategies women employ to navigate these barriers, such as developing professional competence and building psychological resilience. The research contributes to the understanding of gender and leadership within the South Asian and Sri Lankan banking context by providing empirical insights from an organizational setting. It highlights the need for organizations to implement inclusive policies, leadership development programs, and supportive workplace practices to move beyond relying on individual resilience toward achieving substantive gender equality.

Overview of Microfinance and Economic Empowerment of Women: Evidence from Rural Microcredit Services in Ethiopia

2026-06-23T06:30:37+00:00

The purpose of this article is to assess the impact of microfinance on women's economic empowerment in a rural milieu in Ethiopia. Women significantly contribute to the household’s livelihood and the economy at large. However, they remain incessantly the poorest in the community. This is because of diverse reasons, including the scanty access to finance (credit) that represses their productive capacity. Microcredits change the livelihood of women, shifting them away from strenuous and environmentally destructive activities towards environment-friendly farm activities and small-scale businesses. A household survey was conducted using a questionnaire comprising a checklist of required items to describe and assess the role of microfinance in shaping the economic position of rural women. The study underscores that rural women enjoyed better participation in income-generating activities, increased savings and further access to multiple microfinance services after effective use of microcredit in the area. Despite various challenges, including arduous workload at the household level, resistance from family members and stretched social engagements in the community, women prove resilient, often backed by their family members. There is a noticeable shift in household dynamics as women's contributions to household expenditure improve as a result of microcredit. Microcredit programs have led to real progresses in women's economic and overall social empowerment in the rural community.

Women Entrepreneurs and Their Challenges in Business: A Study of Legal Barriers and Digital Empowerment in Kerala

2026-07-04T05:05:03+00:00

Everyone dreams of a successful business. Traditionally dominated by males, the industry now sees the entrance of many women entrepreneurs who play a major role in contributing to various sectors of the industry. This always generates more jobs and adds to the economy. The research focuses on understanding the challenges faced by an entrepreneur in Kerala. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done using convenience sampling to collected through a structured questionnaire across the State of Kerala, India. The demographic characteristics of the women entrepreneurs were collected to get an insight into their social aspects. The challenges faced by the women in terms of legal red tape hurdles and how they impacted the progress of their business were tested using the Chi-square test. The Exploratory factor analysis gives hints on the various dimensions of challenges that women go through while diving into business or entrepreneurial roles. The findings aim to give an understanding of the current scenario and the future support needed for women entrepreneurs so that they can contribute to the growth of the economy of the region and generate more jobs for the educated youth of this Country. A change of thought from the traditional role of women to women's entrepreneurship is to be encouraged.