SMS Journal of Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Entrepreneurship and its Implications for Standards of Living in Cameroon

Paul Akumbom, — 2024-09-10

The study intended in determining the effect of entrepreneurship on standards of living in Cameroon. The
study made use of secondary data over a period of 42 years and the data was obtained from the World Bank
database. The researcher applied the causal research design and used both descriptive and inferential
statistics to analyse the data collected. Results from the ARDLregression revealed that there exist a positive
significant effect of entrepreneurship at the primary sector on standards of living in Cameroon in the short
run and an insignificant effect of entrepreneurship on standards of living in the long run. Entrepreneurship at
the secondary sector was found to exert a negative insignificant effect on standards of living Cameroon in
the short and a positive insignificant effect in the long run in Cameroon. The coefficient for entrepreneurship
in the tertiary sector was positive and significant in both the short and long term, with a significance level of
5% in the short term and insignificance in the long term. Secondary education was determined to have a
negligible beneficial impact on long-term standards of living in Cameroon, and a negligible detrimental
impact in the near term. Further findings indicate that higher education has a negligible detrimental impact
on long-term standards of living in Cameroon, whereas it has a negligible beneficial impact. The inflation
rate, as assessed by the consumer price index, had a positive coefficient in the long term and was statistically
significant at a 5% level of significance. Additionally, in the short term, it had a significant impact on the
standards of living in Cameroon at a 1% level of significance.

Work-Life Balance of Women Employees in Banking and Insurance Industries

Prakash Shrestha, Associate Professor — 2024-09-11

This paper examines factors affecting the work-life balance (WLB) of women employees in Nepal. It also
explores the factors promoting WLB. This study adopts a qualitative research approach to assess the factors
affecting the WLB of women employees and explore the factors that promote their WLB. 76 women
employees (including clerical, officer, and executive level staff) are the key participants of this study. Data
from these employees was gathered using a purposive sampling strategy. The results reveal that the key
factors affecting WLB include work overload, long and unpredictable hours, family responsibilities, dual
roles, performance pressure, client-centric focus, job demand, constant connectivity, economic pressures,
and insufficient maternity and parental leave. On the other hand, the key factors promoting WLB include
reasonable workload, self-awareness, supportive management, flexibility, employee assistance programs
(EAPs), availability of support services, leave policies, continuous learning, time management skills and
social support systems. WLB's significance is particularly substantial for women in patriarchal societies like
our own because of cultural norms that place significant obligations on working women to fulfill domestic
duties even when they engage in income-generating jobs outside the home. The study of WLB among
female employees in the banking and insurance sectors is an important field of research with broad
implications for gender equality, employee well-being, and organizational performance. This study
provides insightful information that will benefit employees as well as organizations. By recognizing and
resolving WLB issues, organizations can improve work environments, advance gender equality, and boost
overall performance. Therefore, today's business organizations need to focus on some of the initiatives that
promote the WLB of their employees.

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women Entrepreneurs in the Informal Business Sector in Tikapur City, Nepal

Ghanshyam Bhatta, Ph.D. Scholar — 2024-09-11

The main aim of this research work is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on female
entrepreneurs in informal entrepreneurial activities in Tikapur City, Nepal. This study used a quantitative
approach and descriptive research design. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 30
respondents among female entrepreneurs operating small, unofficial businesses such as street food sellers,
petty retailers, and street vegetable and fruit vendors. The results show that the growth in the cost of health
care was a major factor that affected the economic condition of female entrepreneurs in informal businesses.
Similarly, a decrease in business sales was also found to be a problematic factor, followed by an increase in
educational costs, a decrease in income level, a decline in the source of income, an increase in the cost of
goods and services, and a reduction in working hours. Moreover, the policy of government maintaining
physical distance affected the sales of informal businesses. Therefore, it can be concluded that the COVID19 pandemic has negatively affected the socioeconomic situation of women entrepreneurs. The study was
limited to examining the effects of COVID-19 on female business owners in the unorganized business sector
in Tikapur City, Nepal. This study could be a landmark for researchers, policymakers, and female
entrepreneurs involved in informal businesses. The unique contribution of the study is to explore effect of
Pandemic on women entrepreneurs in the informal business sector of Tikapur City Nepal.

Digital Banking and Customer satisfaction: Empirical evidence from Bamenda-Cameroon

Gah Genevivianm — 2024-09-11

This research project in Bamenda, Cameroon aims to find out how happy customers are with their digital
banking experience. Customers are increasingly turning to digital banking services, therefore it's crucial to
know how this shift impacts their overall happiness. The research is quantitative in nature, and it gathers its
data from 254 people in Bamenda, Cameroon, who are clients of several banks. Data was analysed using
descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The questionnaire covers topics including digital banking and
consumer satisfaction. Results from OLS revealed that use of ATM cards had a significant positive effect on
consumer satisfaction, digital banking also has a positive on the consumer satisfaction and internet banking
has a significant negative effect on consumer satisfaction. The research sheds light on the elements that
impact customer happiness within the framework of digital banking services and offers empirical data about
the link between digital banking and customer satisfaction in Bamenda, Cameroon.

Digitalization, Social Network and Women Entrepreneurship: A Sociological Analysis

Archana Behera, Ph.D Research Scholar — 2024-09-11

The importance of entrepreneurship for women extends beyond mere economic empowerment,
encompassing enhanced decision-making abilities and leadership skills. Entrepreneurial endeavors,
particularly in self-employment, significantly impact women's empowerment. In Odisha, women are
increasingly involved in network marketing, which serves not only as a platform for entrepreneurship but
also for empowerment. This form of marketing diverges from traditional methods by focusing on network
facilitation, employment opportunities, product benefits, and digitalization. To investigate this
phenomenon, this study aims to assess the impact of digitalization on women entrepreneurs and compare
traditional entrepreneurship with network marketing. Primary data was gathered from 200 women engaged
in network marketing companies (such as Amway, Herbalife, Vestige, Modicare) in Balasore district,
Odisha, utilizing the snowball sampling technique. Additionally, secondary data from sources such as the
IDSAannual report, various journals, and websites were used. The study findings indicate that women show
a greater inclination towards network marketing compared to traditional marketing. This preference is
attributed to the ease of managing business alongside household responsibilities, and digitalization playing
a crucial role in expanding networks and ensuring business sustainability. Thus, prioritizing digital
education is imperative to augment women's capabilities in this domain.

Transition to a Greener Era with Industry 5.0 and Sustainability

Shubhi Yadav, Research Scholar — 2024-09-11

Industry 5.0, also known as the Fifth Industrial Revolution, is a brand-new stage of industrialization that is
now in developing phase. In this stage, enhanced workplace operations are performed with the use of
artificial intelligence and new industrial technology. This is paired with a greater emphasis on sustainability
and pliancy; it also includes the strategy that places greater attention on people. In initial phase of the
Industrial Revolution 5.0, manpower was gradually replaced by automated processes that were powered by
steam and hydropower. In the second stage, mass manufacturing was made possible by the introduction of
electricity. In the third stage, programmable computers and a strong digital ecosystem arose. The potential
of big data, cloud computing, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence was harnessed
in smart factories as a component of the previous industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). Important questions
those were left unanswered during these consecutive advancements are addressed by Industry 5.0, Are we
undervaluing human resources at this point in the automation process? We did not decide to completely
automate the industry since we found that individuals still play an important part in the revolution. Is it
possible to reconcile productivity and the environment with technology? Resilience, sustainability, and
human-centeredness serve as the cornerstones around which Industry 5.0 is constructed. It is able to
accomplish its objectives thanks to these pillars. The plan of action for industry 5.0 driven environmental
responsibility that this research has accomplished ought to deliver an expanded comprehension of how the
newest version of industry 5.0 can help to environmentally friendly growth. It describes how each
components development should be carried out in an instrument that maximizes their combined influence
and involvement with future sustainability values. The data that has been collected through questionnaires
and a range of secondary sources indicates that industry 5.0 with human-machine collaboration has a bright
future and findings shows that productivity rises and can lead to a greener future through the use of
technologies.

Study on Women Entrepreneurship Development through Self-Help Groups

Pradhyuman Singh Lakhawat, Assistant Professor — 2024-09-11

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in nation-building, especially in developing countries like India.
Women entrepreneurs, in particular, contribute significantly to economic growth and social progress. These
women drive change and promote inclusive development since they are resilient, creative, and innovative.
However, females frequently run into a number of challenges in their entrepreneurial endeavours, such as
discrimination against women, societal hurdles, and restricted access to resources.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are a game-changer when it comes to advancing gender parity and empowering
female business owners. Through the facilitation of group activity and reciprocal assistance, Self-Help
Groups (SHGs) empower women to get financial services, cultivate entrepreneurial abilities, and surmount
social obstacles. Women from underprivileged and marginalized backgrounds receive the resources and
confidence needed to start and grow their enterprises through SHGs, which eventually raises their social
standing and financial security.
Overall, the study highlights the critical role of SHGs in fostering women's entrepreneurship and promoting
gender equality. By facilitating access to resources, offering mentorship and support, and advocating for
social change, SHGs empower women to realize their entrepreneurial aspirations and contribute to the
economy. The study's primary focus is on exploring the role of SHGs in promoting women's
entrepreneurship. It aims to provide a comprehensive assessment and analysis of existing knowledge on the
subject, highlighting the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and how SHGs facilitate their
empowerment. By shedding light on the transformative impact of SHGs, the study seeks to emphasize the
importance of collective action and community support in advancing women's economic empowerment. By
analysing case studies and success stories, the study seeks to highlight effective strategies and interventions
that can be replicated and scaled up to empower more women across different regions and sectors.
Furthermore, the study explores the potential synergies between SHGs, government initiatives, and private
sector partnerships in fostering a conducive environment for women's entrepreneurship. Through a holistic
approach that encompasses policy advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement, the study aims
to contribute to the ongoing discourse on gender-responsive entrepreneurship development and inclusive
economic growth.

Startup Ecosystem in India: The growth and rise of Startups in the recent scenario

Priyajit Ray, Assistant Professor — 2024-09-11

The startups in India are blooming recently and now India has become the 3rd largest startup ecosystem just
after the United States and China. The culture of startups has been evolving in India, especially in the last
few years and for that a viable startup ecosystem is of crucial importance. The startup ecosystem can play a
concrete role for a startup to grow and evolve from its infant prototype stage to the final stage of scaling up
and generating revenue. The Indian startup ecosystem have got some key players, each playing their role in
different stages of a startup which are crucial for the growth of startups in future and also to further
strengthen the ecosystem. The Indian startups have the ability to cater and contribute much more to the large
diverse group of people and on the counter part, the startups can create more number of jobs and can also
generate new career opportunities for the young generation in different fields. Indian startups are also
crucial to raise the standard of living and can definitely add value to the economy. Based on the importance
of startups in India, the researcher attempted to study the trend in rise and growth of startups in the current
scenario considering the key factors involved in the startup ecosystem and to further identify the reasons
behind the growth of recent startups in the country. The Indian startup ecosystem is very crucial for the
evolvement of whole Indian economy at this current juncture and there lies the significance of the study to
deeply understand the startup ecosystem of India for its future generation entrepreneurs. Based on the
analysis of the study, it was found out that the startups in India are rising considerably and constant support
has been provided by the government in form of different schemes and initiatives such that it can contribute
much more to the economy in future.