Examining the Role of Women in Home-based and Family Businesses and Proposing Solutions to Improve the Status of These Businesses in Iran
Abstract
Women’s entrepreneurship plays a significant role in increasing economic participation rates, employment, and overall economic and social development. Moreover, given women’s dual role in both the family and the labor market, as well as the proven positive impact of developing women’s home-based businesses on gender equality and women’s empowerment, conducting scientific research in this field is essential. One of the key pillars of national development is educational and research institutions, which, through scientific analysis of issues, can contribute significantly to developing theoretical foundations and subsequently formulating practical solutions. Focusing on the scientific foundations of any phenomenon (in this case, home-based and family businesses) by ideation institutions such as think tanks can lead to more effective and efficient policymaking.
In this article, the topics of domestic academic research on women’s home-based businesses in Iran were reviewed, including:
1.Identifying factors and barriers affecting the development of home-based businesses;
2.Economic and social impacts of home-based businesses;
3.The effect of home-based businesses on women’s empowerment;
4.The impact and role of technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial training on home-based businesses;
5.Growth models for small and home-based businesses;
6.Governmental support and strategies for home-based businesses.
Additionally, several strategies were proposed to improve and enhance these businesses, including:
1.Recognizing home-based and family businesses as serious and formal enterprises;
2.Planning for the future of businesses by supporting networking and providing resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs to access specialized consultants;
3.Strengthening scientific and research programs to develop theories and achieve an indigenous model for home-based businesses with the assistance of think tanks and women’s research institutes;
4.Reducing work-family conflict by promoting home-based businesses into family businesses and promoting them through media;
5.Identifying successful examples of home-based and family businesses and widely introducing them, as well as organizing festivals and establishing permanent annual awards to encourage and support women active in the home-based business sector.
This study was conducted at Women Think Tank Al-Zahra Unit, by Elham Morovati, Zahra Naghizadeh, and Reyhaneh Shahvali in 2023.
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