WOMENS ENTREPRENEURIAL BARRIERS DURING BUSINESS START-UP STAGE: EVIDENCE FROM WESTERN PROVINCE, SRI LANKA

Various barriers are faced by women entrepreneurs specially during the startup stage which inhibit them from getting their hands-on entrepreneurial initiatives.This study aims to identify the barriers towards female entrepreneurs with concern to business startup stage in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. This study was conducted using qualitative research method.The primary data was gathered from eight women entrepreneurs in Western Province, using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The sample for the study was selected based on non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data gathered from the interviews were analyzed using the thematic analysis. Findings of this study revealed that the family background, education level, access to financialcapital and personal attitudes of female entrepreneurstend to be the main barriers when initiating business ideas. As for the limitations of the study, the sample was limited to the Western Province and all interviewees were female entrepreneurs who were running their own businesses for at least two years since initiation.