Different shades of learning after entrepreneurial failure among Ghanaian micro women entrepreneurs

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the learning effects of entrepreneurial failure (EF) among micro-women entrepreneurship in Accra. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative research method, purposive sampling was used to identify 64 micro-women entrepreneurs, and data was collected using interviews. Findings Linked to the experiential learning theory, the study found that consequences of EF provide an entrepreneurial learning platform that influences micro-women entrepreneurs to acquire new skills and knowledge for their entrepreneurial development, incurred costs that negatively affect operations, acquired no knowledge or take a decision to opt-out of entrepreneurship as a carrier. Research limitations/implications The study was based on a relatively small sample size of 64 participants which made it difficult to generalize the findings despite the benefits of the research methods adopted in the study. Originality/value The study contributed to the EF literature with micro-women entrepreneurs in an African context. It highlights the possible additional learning consequences of EF which are being scared of entrepreneurial venturing as a result of their failure. This negatively impacts the desire to engage in entrepreneurship as a future career. The identification of irrelevant learning consequences of EF, suggests that the existing experiential learning theory may need to be revised to further enhance its applicability in micro-women entrepreneurship in different cultural contexts, as not all experiences result in learning.