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In an article by Garcia found in Philippine Daily Inquirer dated on March

28,2016 about Mapping the future: Why financing women entrepreneurs can turn

around economy it states that several studies noted that while women-owned

enterprises comprised a major part of formal SME's in emerging markets, this

were observed to exhibit slower growth rates than those owned by men. A major

reason for this is the womens difficulties in securing financing. This apparently

one of the constraints encountered by women entrepreneurs.

In a study conducted by Sharma (2012) entitled Women Entrepreneur:

Challenges and Opportunities, maintaining and growing the business beyond

start-up is a serious challenge for all women entrepreneurs, especially in

developing countries. Even though the exit rate of new businesses is high

everywhere (40 50 %), exit rates of women-owned businesses are even higher,

especially in developing countries. Some reasons mentioned for high exit rates

among women entrepreneurs are lack of financing, insufficient profitability and

family responsibilities. Training on professional competence and leadership skills

should be extended to women entrepreneurs. Activities in which women are

trained should focus on their marketability and profitability.

With the issues and opportunities stipulated above, the researchers are

motivated to investigate the business problems encountered by women

entrepreneurs in the local setting. It is hoped that the results of this research will

unveil the hurdles to the growth of the businesses owned by women to help

alleviate the business problems they encounter.

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Statement of the Problem

The study will identify the different business problems of women

entrepreneurs in General Santos City. Specifically, the study will answer the

following questions:

1. What is the business profile of women entrepreneurs in General Santos

City in terms of:

1.1 . Form of organization;
1.2 . Type of business;
1.3 . Number of years in operation; and
1.4 . Capitalization?
2. What are the business problems encountered by women entrepreneurs in

General Santos City in terms of the following aspects:

2.1 . Management;
2.2 . Marketing;
2.3 . Technical/Operational; and
2.4 . Finance?
3. Based on the results of the study, what recommendations can be

formulated to address the business problems of women entrepreneurs?

Significance of the Study

This study will give significant contributions to the following:

For Women Entrepreneurs, this study will help them address their

business problems encountered with the same firm that will help them how to

manage it effectively.
For Customers, this study will help them to appreciate the micro

enterprises in terms of skills, strategy, management and financing.

For Future Entrepreneurs, this study will help them to acquire

information and facts about the problems faced by women entrepreneurs in

General Santos City.

For Local Government, this study is beneficial particularly to the

Department of Trade and Industry to address the problems encountered by

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women entrepreneurs by conducting programs that could also contribute to the

citys economy.
For Schools, this study will be of help to the institutions offering

entrepreneurial course and other business related courses.

For Researchers, this study will widen their knowledge in business

management and business problems encountered by women entrepreneurs here

in General Santos City.

For Future Researchers, this study will help them to have insight on how

women entrepreneur uses their skills and strategies to solve a particular

problems and being effective and efficient on their field.

Scope and Delimitation

The study will focus on the business problems encountered by women

entrepreneurs in micro enterprises in General Santos City. The study will provide

the business profile of the women entrepreneurs in micro enterprise in the locality

in terms of the form of organization, type of business, number of years in

operation and capitalization.

The study will also determine the business problems encountered by

women entrepreneurs in micro enterprise in General Santos City in terms of

management, marketing, technical/operational and financial. The study will be

conducted in General Santos City.

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally for better understanding of

the readers.
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Business Problems. These are the difficulties or challenges in the

business faced by women entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur. A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk

for a business venture and own the business.

Entrepreneurship. The capacity and willingness of women entrepreneurs

to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with

any of its risk in order to make a profit.

Financial Problems. It refers to the business problems encountered by

women entrepreneurs in record keeping and financial control.

Management Problems. It refers to the business problems encountered

by women entrepreneur in planning, organizing and staffing,

leading and controlling.

Marketing Problems. It refers to the business problems encountered by

women entrepreneurs in developing new products and services,

selling and advertising their products and services.

Micro enterprise. It refers to businesses having a capital of Php

3,000,000 and below.

Operational Problems. It refers to the business problems encountered by

women entrepreneurs in transforming the resources into desirable

goods and services and have it delivered to the customers.

Technical Problems. It refers to the business problems encountered by

women entrepreneurs in delivering the goods and services by

means of trade and through the use of technology such as

computers.
Women Entrepreneur. A woman or group of women who initiate,

organize and run a business enterprise.