Enhancing socio-economic status through entrepreneurship in sub-mountainous Punjab

Micro-enterprises creates rapid employment opportunities with relatively low capital investment, builds up more equitable circulation of national income, makes effective mobilization of untapped capital and human skills. The present study was an attempt to address the socio-economic impact of micro-enterprises on women entrepreneurs in sub mountainous Punjab. The study was conducted in randomly selected two districts viz. Hoshiarpur and Roopnagar of sub mountainous region of Punjab. From each selected district five enterprises were selected viz. two registered and three un-registered. From each selected enterprise twelve respondents were selected to make sample of 120 respondents. By using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis, the weighted scores for social factors provided were 0.299 for social organizations, 0.163 for social experiences and collective action and 0.107 for connected to more people was provided as all these factors contribute significantly in the growth of enterprises at several levels. Weighted score of 0.042 was provided to increase in social status as there was not much change observed in this factor compared to the others. The weighted score 0.256 for knowledge regarding government welfare schemes as it highly influenced the success of an enterprise. Three major economic factors that affect women empowerment i.e. performing bank activities, knowledge about government schemes and change in diet. Studies suggested that family members should be sensitized to value and recognize the relentless efforts and contributions made by their women entrepreneurs for the overall upliftment of socio-economic status of the household.