Assessing Scalability of Women-led SMEs: An exploratory Study of Kudumbhashree SME Units in Kerala

Abstract

Micro enterprises serve as an option of livelihood for women at the bottom of the pyramid for supporting their livelihoods. Enterprise success needs to be assessed in terms of mechanisms to differentiate their growth and scalability perspectives. Considering the fact that scaling-up paths have been applied throughout the world since the 1960s, this study will aim to conduct a preliminary scientific investigation of scaling-up paths in order to evaluate the scalability of women-owned SMEs. The purpose of the study is to investigate and identify the factors that influence and affect the scaling-up intention of women who are part of SMEs of Kerala. In our study, we attempt to propose a conceptual model that explains how women-owned SMEs can be assessed in Kudumbashree, Kerala. The study used a structured interview method to collect data from women who are part of SMEs and Kudumbhashree officials to make propositions. By proposing this new conceptual model for evaluating the scale-up of women owned enterprises, this study leads to a deeper understanding of the same and provides new insights for future empirical work.