Conceptualizing the Components of the Women's Businesses Sustainability Model in Behbahan County

Considering that women as half of the population in different societies, have a prominent role in the development of economic activities, therefore, it is necessary to provide mechanisms to improve their role in the development of entrepreneurship and business. The review of the research literature regarding the sustainability of women's businesses and the factors affecting it shows the fact that, firstly, coherent studies have not been conducted regarding the identification of the factors affecting the sustainability of women's businesses at the international level in general, at the national and local levels in particular, and secondly, the sustainability of women's businesses in Different regions are affected by different factors and the results of one region or sector cannot be generalized to the sustainability of women's businesses in other regions. Therefore, to analyze and conceptualize the sustainability model of women's businesses in Behbahan County, the present research seeks to identify the causal, contextual and intervening factors affecting the sustainability of women's businesses in Behbahan County. Also, the researchers seek to investigate the views and experiences of women business owners in Behbahan County, while identifying strategies and solutions to promote the sustainability of women's businesses in this region, and also identify and analyze the consequences of the development of women's sustainable businesses. Hence, the purpose of this study was to conceptualize the components of the women's businesses sustainability model in Behbahan County. In the present research, the qualitative paradigm and grounded theory method were used. For this purpose, the list of business women was received from various centers such as the governorate, technical and professional centers, Jihad Agriculture Organization and Industry, Mining and Trade Organization in Behbahan County. Using the snowball method, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 21 businesswoman in Behbahan County, which finally resulted in theoretical saturation as a sufficient sampling point. Data analysis was performed using open, axial and selective coding processess. In the current research, the criteria of believability, reliability, confirmability and transferability were used to confirm the findings. The results showed that factors such as market knowledge, family conditions, personal and personality traits, economic factors, education, supportive policies and environmental turbulence are influential in the sustainability of women's businesses in Behbahan County. Based on the results of this study, providing business education to women, adopting government support policies and creating a culture to support women’s businesses were the strategies for developing the sustainability of women’s businesses in Behbahan County. Findings indicated that reducing injuries and social problems, empowering women and increasing social welfare are the consequences of the sustainability of women's businesses in Behbahan County. Based on the results of the current research, the main components of the sustainability model of women's businesses were categorized into causal conditions, contextual factors, intervening factors, phenomena, strategies and consequences. Therefore, the results of the current research have appropriate theoretical and practical implications in the field of sustainability of women's businesses. In terms of the theoretical implications of this research, it filled the existing study gap regarding the dimensions of the sustainability model of women's businesses, and researchers in future studies can use this model as a robust framework for analyzing sustainability in women's businesses. In terms of practical implications, government and educational policymakers can take advantage of the results of this research in order to develop programs and solutions for stabilizing women's businesses.