Ethnic Women in Sơn La Province, Northern Vietnam: The Entrepreneurial Landscape

This article examines differences in the propensity to engage in entrepreneurial activities among ethnically diverse women in Sơn La Province, a disadvantaged and mountainous rural area of Vietnam. Propensity for entrepreneurialism is examined by focusing on (a) women’s use of technology, (b) experi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nguyen, Quynh T, Coventry, Louise, McDonald, Scott, Rametse, Nthati
Format: text
Published: Animo Repository 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/apssr/vol21/iss1/8
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/apssr/article/1352/viewcontent/RA_207.pdf
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Institution: De La Salle University
Description
Summary:This article examines differences in the propensity to engage in entrepreneurial activities among ethnically diverse women in Sơn La Province, a disadvantaged and mountainous rural area of Vietnam. Propensity for entrepreneurialism is examined by focusing on (a) women’s use of technology, (b) experiences of financial difficulties, and (c) propensity for risk-taking. Analyzing surveys completed by 135 women, we find that plans to start a business are equally apparent among women from diverse ethnic groups. We establish a positive association between levels of entrepreneurialism (practicing entrepreneurs, intending entrepreneurs, and non-entrepreneurs) and the use of technology. However, we find no association between entrepreneurialism and access to finance/financial difficulties or risk-taking. Women from very small ethnic minorities often report never using the Internet, and they seek loans from private lenders who charge relatively high interest rates. Our findings suggest a need for greater government investment in rural areas to increase women’s access to and use of technology.