American management association's survey of women business owners

About this book

This survey was designed to obtain a picture of women business owners, the major problems they encountered and the major determinants of their success. The original study (the Woman Entrepreneur study) was conducted in 1978 by the American Management Association. In 1979 a follow-up (the Woman Small Business Administration study) was conducted to identify the technical assistance needs of these women. A list of women business owners was obtained from government agencies and field offices using a nomination technique. Questionnaires were sent to more than 900 women; 284 usable questionnaires (29%) were received. In addition, 40 of the women judged to be the most successful in terms of gross receipts were contacted by female researchers for semistructured telephone interviews. Respondents were from all parts of the United States, and most were under 50 years old. Nearly three-fourths were Caucasian. Of the 284 initial respondents, 95 women (33%) returned the 1979 SBA questionnaire. Only 48 of these 95 can be matched to their 1978 responses. Business-related variables assessed included duties and activities; type of business; employees; gross receipts; how, when, why and with whom the business was started; capital and financing information; owner's relation with government agencies; present position; and household income. Demographic and personal information covered academic background, work history, marital status, childbearing history, geographic mobility, parental role models and influential factors, and the perceived adequacy of educational and work histories. Finally, recommendations regarding the types of assistance desired from governmental agencies, universities, and other professional organizations were solicited. Computer-accessible data from both waves are available at the Murray Center.