Sustainability of microenterprises: an empirical analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the facilitators and impediments of business sustainability of the microenterprises. The study also proposes a framework of social sustainability through women microentrepreneurs in India.Design/methodology/approachIn order to fulfill the objectives, primary data have been collected and analyzed by employing binary logit model. Additionally, in-depth interviews and focus group interviews were conducted to get more precise insight on the issue.FindingsThe study finds out the factors determining sustainability of microenterprises. The economic, political, demographic factors along with family contribution are found to be important factors in determining sustainability and success of microenterprises. The study also show that microenterprises emerging from self-help groups (SHGs) are adding value to the society by overall women empowerment.Research limitations/implicationsThe study will pave the way for further research about the sustainability factors of microenterprises in emerging economies.Practical implicationsThe finding of this paper will give directions to policy makers as well as to stakeholders as small businesses are becoming way of life in all developing countries.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by identifying how microentrepreneurs emerging from SHGs are achieving societal goals of poverty eradication. It determines the indicators of business sustainability for small businesses run by women. Empirical and in-depth study explores the issues those have policy implications.