APPRAISAL OF INEQUALITY IN SOCIAL MEDIA IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND GENDER PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF ENUGU STATE)

INTRODUCTION

1. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Entrepreneurship of recent has been of great interest to several scholars, business specialists, governments, and policy makers. Entrepreneurship is regarded as an instrument to a nation’s economic growth and development since it generates both employment and wealth for the country that is the main reason why it is one of the major interests. Therefore entrepreneurs are being seen as the source of industrial development and greater employment opportunities. Entrepreneurship leads to higher income, standards of living, individual savings, and revenue to the government. Entrepreneurs have modified the outlook of trade and markets, through new commodities, services and provide ways to new innovation and creativeness.The increasing use of networks for SMEs has been reported as an influential factor in the developmental process of entrepreneurial activity (Baines & Wheelock, 2009).A careful review of the related literature on the topic of entrepreneurship and networks disclosed that the most cited entrepreneurial network types are: institutional networks; business networks; social network; informational networks; scientific and technical networks; profession networks; user networks; friendship networks; and recreation networks (OECD, 2010). Social networks/media are vital factors influencing entrepreneurial behaviour. According to the Global entrepreneurship monitor, people that start businesses are more likely to know, act and interact with other entrepreneurs than those who do not.Focusing on social media analysis turns attention to relationships between entrepreneurs and others that provide the resources that are vital in establishing a business.Entrepreneurs have concepts, ideas to test, and some knowledge, information and competence to run the business, but they also need complementary resources to produce and deliver their goods or services. They get support, knowledge, and access to distribution channels through their social networks.Entrepreneurs are also linked to people and organizations that interact among themselves and these contacts can widen the availability of resources that can maintain a new firm (Hansen, 2015).It was noted however, that women who start businesses tend to know fewer entrepreneurs than men. In other words, men have more social connections that enable them to access business opportunities, information, and contacts than do women. In this way, women are disadvantaged from the start, having fewer professional connections, role models, and mentorship opportunities, which can adversely affect their businesses in the long run (Global entrepreneurship monitor 2012). One substantial difference between business men and women is that women entrepreneurs often combine multiple managerial roles and multiple dimensions of their lives, such as balancing work and home, together with a leadership role (Rana, et al, 2009). This paper will examine inequality in social media in entrepreneurship and gender participation in Nigeria.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM                            

The importance of social networks in the survival and success of individual firms cannot be over emphasised and this has been an area that has received very little research attention. Large networks enable entrepreneurs to assemble diverse resources and information. These social networks include the personal network which the entrepreneur has with certain individuals, and the cultural dimension with an overall inclusion of the family and community (Ram, 2008). Most studies reflect a consensus that entrepreneurial networks are important because they provide entrepreneurs with a diverse information and access to large pool of resources, business opportunities, and markets. Nevertheless, there is still rarity in studies at the present times dealing with the impacts of entrepreneurial networks usage in the success of a business in Nigeria context. Therefore, research concerning the impact of the entrepreneurial networks on the success of a business in Nigeria is considered among the most important justifications of the current study. This paper explores the relationship between inequality in social media in entrepreneurship and gender participation in Nigeria.

1.3. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine inequality in social media in entrepreneurship and gender participation in Nigeria. Other specific objectives are as follows;

1. To examine the potential benefits of social media usage in business by entrepreneurs.

1. To examine the gender usage of social media in entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
2. To examine theimpact of inequality in social media on entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
3. To examine the effect of gender inequality in the entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.
4. To examine the extent individuals and employees perceived gender inequality to exist in their workplace and in the society.
5. To recommend comprehensive strategies that can be used to promote gender equality in Nigeria

1.4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the potential benefits of social media usage in business by entrepreneurs?
2. How is the gender usage of social media in entrepreneurship development in Nigeria?
3. What are theimpacts of inequality in social media on entrepreneurship development in Nigeria?
4. What are the effects of gender inequality in the entrepreneurship development in Nigeria?
5. What are the extent individuals and employees perceived gender inequality to exist in their workplace and in the society?
6. What are the recommended comprehensive strategies that can be used to promote gender equality in Nigeria?

1.5. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis

H0: There is no significant impact of inequality in social media on entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

H1: There is a significant impact of inequality in social media on entrepreneurship development in Nigeria.

1.6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The paper, is very important in many ways, it will help the Nigerian government to identify and understand that women under representation is a serious problem affecting our nation in third world. Hence, such knowledge will help in making feature decisions. The study would serve as a reference point to scholars in research and in similar area, so also to policy and decision makers in both private and public sectors. This paper will also help in motivating women to participate in entrepreneurship in nigeria. It would be useful to schools and women organizations. The result or outcome of the research will be useful to other researchers, policy makers, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the world, and to students writing or conducting research on similar topic. It will also help in bridging the gap or encouraging women to participate in national development. It will also expose the effect of women under-representation in government activities, at both individual and societal level.

1.7. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to inequality in social media in entrepreneurship and gender participation in Nigeria, a case study of Enugu state.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Gender:  This refers to social roles allocated respectively to men and women in particular societies and at particular times. Such roles and the differences between them are conditioned by a variety of political, economic, ideological and cultural factors, and are characterized in most societies by unequal power relations. Gender constitutes one of the determinants of how poverty is experienced and of wealth creation. Rights and entitlements of men and women to opportunities, resources and decision making are based on socio-cultural norms rather than on human rights or the respective development capability of men and women.

Gender Inequality:Is the idea and situation that women and men are not equal. Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals wholly or partly due to their gender. It arises from differences in gender roles.

Gender equality: This refers to a situation where women and men have equal conditions for realising their full human rights and potentials; are able to contribute equally to national, political, economic, social and cultural development and benefit equally from the results. Furthermore, it entails that the underlying causes of discrimination are systematically identified and removed in order to give men and women equal opportunities. Equality is therefore understood to include both formal equality and substantive equality, and not merely simple equality to men.