Women-Led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Odisha : A Pathways to Sustainable Growth

Pritam Mahapatra; Pradeep Kumar Harpal; Sidhant Mohanty

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.58125

Women-Led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Odisha : A Pathways to Sustainable Growth

Author(s)	Mr. Pritam Mahapatra, Dr Pradeep Kumar Harpal, Dr Sidhant Mohanty
Country	India
Abstract	Women-Led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (WLMs) are critical catalysts for economic development, social empowerment, and sustainable growth in emerging economies. In Odisha, a state in Eastern India with a rich cultural heritage but significant socio-economic challenges, WLMs represent an under-tapped reservoir of potential. This study aims to identify the key drivers, challenges, and strategic pathways that can foster the sustainable growth of WLMs in Odisha. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combined a quantitative survey of 150 WLMs across three districts (Khordha, Cuttack, and Ganjam) with qualitative in-depth interviews of 15 entrepreneurs and 5 stakeholders from government and support organizations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation and regression), while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings reveal that while WLMs are highly resilient, they face significant barriers categorized into financial constraints (limited access to formal credit, collateral requirements), socio-cultural barriers (gender roles, limited mobility), operational challenges (digital literacy, market access), and a complex regulatory environment. Regression analysis indicated that access to formal finance and digital adoption are the most significant predictors of sustainable growth (measured by revenue growth and employment generation). The study concludes that a multi-stakeholder approach is essential. Key pathways include developing gender-responsive financial products, enhancing digital infrastructure and literacy, creating robust market linkage platforms, and simplifying regulatory processes. This research contributes to policy formulation by providing empirical evidence from the Odisha context, advocating for targeted interventions to unlock the full potential of WLMs for inclusive and sustainable development.
Keywords	Women Entrepreneurship, MSMEs, Sustainable Growth, Economic Empowerment, Odisha, India, Financial Inclusion, Digital Literacy, Policy Intervention.
Field	Business Administration
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2025
Published On	2025-10-16
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i05.58125

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Women-Led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Odisha : A Pathways to Sustainable Growth

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