Gender, entrepreneurial motives and performance satisfaction of micro enterprises in South Africa

Abstract

The study investigated the entrepreneurial motives and performance satisfaction of micro entrepreneurs. In addition, the study examined if there are significant gender differences in the motives and performance satisfaction of micro entrepreneurs. The study used the quantitative research with a descriptive research design. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to identify the participants in the survey. Self-administered questionnaires were used for data collection. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and the t-test. The results indicated that male entrepreneurs are more motivated by economic factors while women entrepreneurs are more motivated by social factors. Micro entrepreneurs are more satisfied with sales growth and but less satisfied with profit growth. However, there are no significant gender differences in the entrepreneurial motives and performance satisfaction of micro entrepreneurs.

Keywords: micro enterprises, entrepreneurial motives, performance satisfaction, gender, South Africa