Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa: An Empirical Insights into the Factors Affecting the Oscillation of Women from Self to Paid Employment

Research Purpose: - Discourse in entrepreneurship has highlighted the importance of understanding the entrepreneurial motivation of women. The literature documents a significant similarity in women’s entrepreneurial motivations across African i.e. personal freedom, security, and drive for achievement. One major problem that women entrepreneurs in Africa encounter is the challenge to balance work and family obligations. However, research, also documents a remarkable trend amongst women entrepreneurs in Africa oscillating from self-employment to paid employment. Therefore, the aim of this study, is to highlight the factors influencing this oscillation from self to paid employment. Research Design/Methodology/Approach: - This study utilizes the interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) to understand the influencing factors of women’s oscillation from self to paid employment in the South African socio-economic and cultural context. This methodological approach enabled an in-depth understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and its impact on business performance. Findings: - The results show that a major factor influencing women decision to engage in entrepreneurship is the need to achieve work-life balance. The inability to secure financial capital, gender bias, social and cultural norms are the most significant challenges women face in South Africa, thus leaving them with no option than to seek sustenance in paid employment. Therefore, oscillation from self to paid employment becomes the means to either raise more capital for the business and to maintain the family. Originality/Benefit: - The paper contributes to the discourse on women entrepreneurship. Specifically, this study illuminates the factors that impact entrepreneurial motivation of South African women and the decision to revert to regular paid employment.