Author : Mangioet, Estela D.

Summary : The study described the socioeconomic characteristics, motivations, and nature of the enterprises and gains of the Cordillera Administrative Region's (CAR) women entrepreneurs. Two hundred twelve women entrepreneurs from five provinces of the CAR (Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mt. province) were chosen as respondents using multi-stage sampling. Data were gathered using a structured and open-ended interview schedule. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and analysis of variance were used to analyze and iterpret data. CAR women intrepreneurs were relatively young, with an average age of 39.63 years, mostly married, self-employed, and were able to attend high school level and a few skills training courses. Their dependents were three or less and they had a mean annual family income of P73,806.60. They were motivated to engage in business, primarily for income and in order to use their skills. Their entrepreneurial activities were in trade and industry, agri-business, and vending. Most of the the enterprises (micro-industries) were family owned, with an average capital of P70,915.25 and an average of two workers. The major operational activities of the women as managers were planning, purchasing, production, marketing, and supervision. Decision-making was shared between husband and wife. Most of their enterprises were home-based, with workers from the locality. The extent of effectiveness of environmental factors or inputs was generally rated "good". Less than one third of the women had linkage with government agencies that extended financial and skills training. The enterprises of the CAR women were gainful and notably influenced by the women's former occupation, educational attainment, income, and training. Too may competitors, poor management, high cost of production, and inadequate capital were the primary problems encountered by the entrepreneurs.