Inclusive Entrepreneurship for Individuals with Disabilities: Determinants, Barriers and Enabling Factors

Dr. Sreela Krishnan, Dr. Nithin Venugopal, Dr. Girish M C

Abstract: Entrepreneurship serves as a catalyst for economic empowerment and social inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities who aspire to achieve financial independence through self-employment. Despite various policy initiatives, entrepreneurs with disabilities continue to face several structural and institutional challenges that impede their entrepreneurial growth. This study examines the determinants influencing entrepreneurial development and identifies the major barriers encountered by entrepreneurs with disabilities in establishing and expanding their enterprises. Primary data were collected from 30 entrepreneurs with disabilities in the Thrissur and Ernakulam districts of Kerala using a structured questionnaire and personal interviews. The study employed Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to examine data normality, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse the determinants of entrepreneurial growth, and Mean Percentage Score (MPS) and one-sample Z-test to evaluate barriers and the overall level of influencing factors. The findings reveal that resource needs constitute the most significant determinant of entrepreneurial growth (β = 0.834), followed by available opportunities (β = 0.494), whereas motivation does not exert a statistically significant influence. Among the barriers, inadequate financial access emerged as the most critical challenge (MPS = 92.00), followed by competition from established businesses and regulatory constraints. The overall level of factors influencing entrepreneurial growth was found to be moderate to high (MPS = 71.24%), indicating substantial potential for entrepreneurial development when appropriate support systems are provided. The study highlights the need for inclusive entrepreneurial policies, improved financial accessibility, targeted skill development programme, and resource-based interventions to foster a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem for individuals with disabilities. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers, financial institutions, entrepreneurship development agencies, and researchers working towards inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Entrepreneurial Barriers, Resource Accessibility, Financial Inclusion