Gender and small business growth in Tanzania: the role of habitus

PhD ceremony: Ms. H.P. Tundui, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Dissertation: Gender and small business growth in Tanzania: the role of habitus

Promotor(s): prof. L. Karsten

Faculty: Economics and Business

The main objective of this study is to investigate the role habitus in explaining gender differences in the growth of small enterprises in Tanzania. While there has been an increase in women-owned businesses across the world in the past few years, most women-owned businesses have been concentrated in micro and small enterprises. The findings of this study suggest that the way people perceive the world and the way they develop their aspirations and ambitions is based on the knowledge and skills imparted to them when were young, either at the family or society level. The social environment and the presence of role models are also important in shaping the aspirations of people. This finding has an important policy implication: To stimulate owner–managers’ aspirations, the government/business organizations can organize workshops and training to existing entrepreneurs (successful, unsuccessful, and nascent). Attending training, seminars, workshops, informal or formal schooling and joining organizations for networking and benchmarking may help upgrade owner–managers’ entrepreneurial skills and inspire them to expand their businesses. Similarly, the findings have revealed that education is very important for business growth aspirations. The higher the education level, the higher the business growth aspirations. We recommend that policy makers to promote the importance of entrepreneurship or self-employment in the higher learning institutions in Tanzania. University students should be taught about entrepreneurship and its importance in economic development.