Since 1970s, the role of women in Indian society continues to undergo considerable change. Women are becoming more aware about their personal need and shelves and are demanding greater equality and status both within and outside the home. Women now are entering into managerial cadre and are becoming entrepreneur and creating a place of themselves in Indian business world. Women Entrepreneurs are now being recognized as an important untapped source of economic growth. Women Entrepreneurs may be defined as the women or a group of women who initiate, organize and operate a business enterprise. The Government of India(Meenu Goyal and Jai Parkash,2011 )¹has defined “Women Entrepreneurs as ―an enterprise owned and controlled by women having a minimum financial interest of 51 percent of the capital and giving at least 51 per cent of the employment generated in the enterprise to women”.

Women entrepreneurs engaged in business due to push and pull factors which encourage women to have an independent occupation and stands on their own legs. A sense towards independent decision-making on their life and career is the motivational factor behind this urge. Saddled with household chores and domestic responsibilities women want to get independence. Under the influence of these factors the women entrepreneurs choose a profession as a challenge and as an urge to do something new.

Unlike the past, when the restless ladies in business families were given some side business to run as a hobby, today daughters, sisters and wives are running mainstream companies. Women are increasingly turning to entrepreneurship as a way of coping with the ‘glass ceiling’ that seems to prevent among women entrepreneur. The buzzword “Glass Ceiling” is based on attitudinal or organizational bias in the workforce that prevents minorities and women from advancing to leadership position (Abhinav Wani, June13)². However, the concept of glass ceiling surfaced in the U.S. in the late 1970s. Despite of all the social hurdles, Indian women have taken up their leadership roles in business and are doing an exemplary work. Glass ceiling was not a barrier to these women leader as they are persuasive, assertive and willing to take risks their success is not result of one-off effort, but a continual, persistent power process of building each succeeding step to reach to the next milestone.

This study aims to understand that glass ceiling among women entrepreneur is a myth or a reality and to examine the various challenges faced by them. While many researchers feel glass ceiling is still a barrier for a women on the other hand eminent women leaders feel breaking the glass ceiling is also as much about the women aspiration, hard work and equipping themselves with new skills. Some says it is a question of priorities and women will have to navigate based on their own capacity and ability. Albeit, with the support of the family. Various Studies found that the most of corporate women had left their job due to their "strong desires to pioneer a new business territory and to control the upstream processes of innovation, that is, to generate an idea, validate it, develop and launch it, and then exploit and learn from the impact”. Women with children saw entrepreneurship as an opportunity to blend their family interests and obligations with their needs to implement their creative ideas. They showed a desire to follow their business ideas and although they had learned valuable skills from their experiences in the corporate world, they did not see the large corporate environment as the best place for them to pursue these opportunities. Instead, they preferred to apply what they had learned from their previous corporate experiences and pursue new career paths.

Furthermore, Perception of glass ceiling about women is infrequently studied and pointed out in the literature in Indian context. That’s why this study is done with an aim to examine the phenomena of glass ceiling regarding women in business segment. In this regard, the difference in perception of glass ceiling in corporate and business world has been analyzed with the help of the views of successful business women and their perception regarding glass ceiling.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

According to the study made by Accenture (Source- www.thehindu.com)³ ‘The Path Forward’ found that 78% of the Indian women are proactively managing their career when compared to 69% in china, 59% in U.S.A. and 58% in UK. The study also draws out attention to the increasing self confidence and assertiveness in Indian women. A whopping 58% of Indian working women were confident enough to ask for a raise and 48% for promotion. About 58% of the later received a better than expected role. Indian women themselves (36%) ranked self confidence as the biggest contributing factor towards career growth.

Rana (Rana, B.2007)⁴ investigated the perception of glass ceiling of hundred women with different age group working in the private organization. Their viewpoint were analyzed on the basis of incongruent conduct of women behavior of their male contemporaries to them, the part of their family members in their professional escalation, insight of role conflict and desire in the direction of their career progression. The results showed that women do not feel glass ceiling as a barrier in private organization to a vast canvas. On the other hand, Jackson (Jackson, J.C., 2001)⁵explores the perception of the women in middle level management regarding their career advancement prospects and their support from their organization. The consequence of the study reveals that glass ceiling has its existence in the organization.

Shandana (Shandana Shoib, R., 2010)⁶ identifies that glass ceiling exists in our society in form of gender discrimination. Most of the companies prefer men at their top management the percentage of women at the top management is very low comparing to man. The study identifies behavior which can play their role in creating glass ceiling.

According to the Grant Thornton’s International Business Report (IBR), 2012(Source: www.thehindu.com) ⁷also suggests that offering flexible working could help further improve in the proportion of women in senior position. It reveals that 65% of businesses in the European Union (where proportion of women in senior management role is increasing currently offering flexible working , leaps ahead of Latin America(49%),BRIC economies (36%) and Asia Pacific(32%).

As per the Accenture research “A welcome change was seen in an equal number of Indian women are equal to men in the workforce”. Various corporate heads also believe that they have seen a change in the society accepting women entering into the workforce. Now, they also belief that glass ceiling concept is melting away, setting a level playing field nurturing career growth for women.

The proactive organizational change with women friendly workplace initiative cannot be left unacknowledged. In India, 66% women enjoy flexi-work arrangements and a whopping 76% of them have stayed at their jobs because of flexible work schedules. According to Mr. Anand Dewan, SVP and Head- Business impact Group (Kotak Life Insurance) (Source:www.thehindu.com) ⁸viewed “Confidence seems from two-factor overall success stories of women in corner offices inspire others; organizations with fair, transparent and progressive HR practices fuel confidence in women”. He also highlights, “Now a day’s women are stepping up to the challenges. There is an invisible increase in the level of confidence among women entrepreneurs”.

While the researchers also found out that the major reasons for starting a business are similar for men and women, some differences have also been found. For e.g. According to Lavoie (1992) (Source-Journal of small business and entrepreneurship)⁹, potential for financial gain was not the primarily motivating factor for women; women were more likely to start a business for the challenge and opportunity for self fulfillment. In the first half of 2011, women angel investors represented 12% of the angel market, and women-owned businesses accounted for 12% of the entrepreneurs seeking angel capital. While these figures are outstanding, they do represent societal progress. More impressive is that 26% of the women entrepreneurs seeking angel investment in the first half of the year. In fact, the percentage of women actually getting angel investment is above the overall average.

As per the reports, Dr. Anna Duran of the Duran Group (Source-Share.pdfonline.com)¹⁰, a New York-based consulting firm Seventy-eight percent of the 425 women in the study pointed to the opportunity to take risks with new ideas and test personal limits as the chief reason for leaving jobs with large companies to move into smaller, entrepreneurial businesses. According to Caroline Nahas, Managing Director at Korn/Ferry International(Source- www.businessweek.com)¹¹ "Bucking conventional wisdom, professional growth, power and money were the big drivers in influencing women to leave corporate jobs in the past five years—not the glass ceiling, balance or personal life."

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY:

The objective of the paper incorporates so many things. It can provide us invaluable practical knowledge about the glass ceiling and the situation of glass ceiling in India. The prime objective of the study is to examine whether glass ceiling practices is a myth or a reality in Indian context. However, the specific objective of research paper focuses on:

· To study the impact of glass ceiling among women entrepreneurs.

· To understand that glass ceiling among women is a reality or a myth.

· To probe into challenges / constraints faced by women entrepreneurs to start up their own business

· To evaluate the various factors responsible for encouraging women to become entrepreneurs.

RESEARCH FOCUS AND METHODOLOGY:

This study is based on secondary data which is collected from published review of past researches and other reports of Census Survey, SSI Reports, Newspaper, Journal, and Websites etc. The study is a part of an effort to develop case studies on successful women entrepreneurs in India; hence in-depth research on relatively small samples is done based on their views regarding glass ceiling. The women entrepreneurs were drawn from different age group, background, educational qualification and from different sectors (e.g. service, consumer and durable goods, and manufacturing). Information on reasons for starting a business and various factors has been identified with the help of published reports of previous researchers. The findings and conclusion has been drawn based on their views and the research undertaken is descriptive in nature. Hence, this study also consist certain limitations.

REASONS WHY WOMEN BECOME ENTREPRENUERS:

The most popular themes in entrepreneurship research have traditionally revolved around the various factors which encourage women to start their own business. According to various researchers Hisrish and Brush (1985) (Jeevan Jyoti, Jyoti Sharma and Anita Kumari, Research Article, Pg. No.2)¹² researched to find out the reasons for starting the business by women entrepreneurs. Most frequently cited that ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. Push factors may be more important influence for women than for men. While Pull factors may be influence by ‘Glass Ceiling’- that seemingly impenetrable barrier that prevents female mid-managers from moving up to the executive suite has become the focus of attention for the researchers

Consistent with the research made by Hisrish and Brush(1985),experienced that women who leave the large organization become entrepreneurs may be leaving their corporate positions due to the glass ceiling, in effect an organizational push motivator. Some of these key motivational factors are presented in the Table below [6]:

Key motivational factors
*Pull factors*	*Push factors*
· Autonomy and independence · An urge to do something new · Liking of business · To get economic independence	· Dissatisfaction in the labor market · Sudden fall in family income · Death of bread winner · Dissatisfaction in labour market
· Personal satisfaction and achievement · To gain freedom and mobility · To build confidence · To develop risk taking ability · Dream of being an entrepreneur	· Need for greater income redundancy · Permanent inadequacy in income of family · Unemployment

· Gap in the market	· Last resort
· Looking for a challenge
· Rejecting stereotypical feminine identities

Source: Why Women enter into small business ownership, Sandra L.Fielden and Merilyn J.Davidson (Pg -11)

RESEARCH FINDINGS:

‘Glass ceiling is not a barrier for self determined and capable ones’ according to one of the eminent technology pioneer women entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar Shaw(Source – AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012, Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 20 )¹³, Chairman and Managing Director of Biocon. When she started biocon in 1978, she faced various hurdles which are related to her age, gender and lack of business experience but then with her self confidence and firm determination she is now leading one of the nascent and unproven industry of biotechnology. She believes that the world belongs to those who want to make a difference and gender is no barrier.

Padmshree Phool basan bai yadav(Source – www.merinews.com)¹⁴ one of the successful social entrepreneur of Chhattisgarh state. She has proved ‘nowhere to everywhere’. Just a seventh grade pass out this woman has created a viable business model which highly educated entrepreneurs in metros just think off. She feels that these barrier however, were very real according to Mrs. Yadav she spend several nights in shivering cold when she was beaten up by her husband for her social programmes but in a decade things have been completely changed. The proverbial glass ceiling is a similar mental construct that women must shatter now to fulfill their dreams.

“Nothing is Impossible” these are the golden words said by Mrs. Jyoti Naik(Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012, Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 28)¹⁵, the former president of Shri Mahila Gram Udyog Lijjat Papad. Shri Mahila Gram Udyog Lijjat Papad popularly known as Lijjat is started in 1959, with a seed capital of Rs. 80/- which is now having a seed capital of more than 650 crores with more than 29 crores in exports. She serves as an inspiration for thousands of women. She believes that women especially from rural areas are aspire to join together to run small business of their own as they can generate fantastic results if they pool their resources and strengthen their bonds with one another.

Some of the women entrepreneur feels that glass ceiling is not a barrier for them. The super strategist Mallika Shrinivasan(Source - Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012, Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 26,27)¹⁶, CEO of Chennai based TAFE, she forge herself growing in family business. Mrs. Shrinivasan quotes “You don’t need to love money to run a business. You have to have a dream to build an institution, to build centers of excellence; to create a great team. Business can operate well only in the social context of educated and healthy people”.

Sonia Manchanda(Entrepreneur Journal, April 2011, Vol. 2, Issue8 (Pg 38-40)¹⁷, Cofounder and Principal Director at idiom design and consulting she has graduated from National Institute of design (NID), Ahmadabad in 1992. She believes on three basic mantras: Take risks, create something new, and invest for long term with right set of people. She also quotes “ To become entrepreneur one should be creative and determined just do good work, think big and rest will be good”

According to Kalpana Marporia(Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012,Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 18 and 19)¹⁸, CEO, JP Morgan “I don’t believe that there is a glass ceiling”. She believes that Indian women are having an added advantage as compared to their western counterparts. She thinks that in Indian family they have domestic help a lot of family support to start any new venture.

According to Shyamala Gopinath(Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012,Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No-24)¹⁹, Former deputy Governor RBI, She says “Breaking a glass ceiling is also as much about the women aspiring to be in the top, working hard and equipping themselves with necessary skills”. It is a question of priority whether it is business or profession.

According to Preeti Vyas Giannetti, Chairwoman and CEO of Vyas Giannetti Creative ( Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012,Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 22 )²⁰feels that women should regard glass ceiling as one of the life’s obstacles and not ‘the’ obstacle in their career. As for glass ceiling itself, it would erode once people fully appreciate the different leadership style of women.

Shahnaz Hussain(Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership ,March 2012,Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No-36 )²¹ a girl who belongs to traditional family, who was married at the age of 15, emerged from a sheltered life to step into the world of business .She said in an interview “A woman manages her different role of wife, housewife, mother and career woman efficiently. She brings to work the values of patience, courage, inner strength. The woman’s ability to adapt and adjust is important at work”

India’s turnaround queen Mrs. Ranjana kumar(Source - AIMA Journal, Indian Management, Women on top lessons in leadership, March 2012,Vol.51,Issue 3,Pg No- 30)²² came from a middle class background excelled in the government setup by the virtue of her education and skills she gives a strategic initiative to the Indian banking sector in the year 2000.By this she has proved that “if you have the rigour and passion to be good at your work, then people tend to forget your gender”.

LIMITATIONS OF STUDY:

Since this is a research paper, the limitations regarding the paper has acted as the limitations of the study. Among others the main limitations are:

· The study covers only descriptive data. Hence the findings of the study are entirely based on it.

· The study is based on the perceptions of the women entrepreneurs. Their attitudes may change with the change of times. Therefore, the responses reflect their contemporary views on the prevailing conditions.

SUGGESTIONS FOR BREAKING GLASS CEILING AMONG WOMEN ENTREPRENUERS:

Breaking glass ceiling must be on economic priority that nation no longer needs to ignore. Right efforts from all areas are required in breaking glass ceiling and encouraging women entrepreneurs for their greater participation in the entrepreneurial activities.

To compete successfully in this new environment our nation needs the talents of all the qualified individuals regardless of their race, gender or ethnicity at the highest levels of corporate there should be continuous attempt is to be made to inspire, encourage, motivate and cooperate women entrepreneurs.

The business goal is to develop a true merit system that allows women to rise to the top based on their skill, talent and determination.

Both government and business houses are the societal institutions uniquely able to impact workplace behavior and attitude towards minority and women.

Business must develop and implement programs to break glass ceiling, and must make such efforts an intrinsic part of corporate planning and management.

New diversity programs, highlighting existing practices to encourage the business community to act or develop creative new approaches, business has the capacity to draft strategies that address the shortage of women in entrepreneurship.

Government should encourage women participation in business by offering them loans and subsidies for encouraging them into industrial activities. The financial institutions should also provide more working capital assistance for both small scale and large scale ventures.

Attempts is to be made to enhance the women education by providing them proper training, practical experience, vocational training and personality development programme is to be provided to boost their self confidence and to encourage them to undertake business without any social hurdles.

Women in rural areas should aspire to join together to imitate a small scale business of their own by creating awareness through self help group.

Women were given priority in all the sectors including SSI sector and government should envisaged various welfare measures for women.

CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY:

The write up documents based on the views of eminent women leaders, who carve a niche for themselves in the business landscape in India and has proved that Glass Ceiling is not a barrier for self determined and capable ones. They think that they never faced the proverbial glass ceiling; some says it’s a part of life and one has to deal with it rather than wallow in self pity. Breaking a glass ceiling is also as much as about the women aspiration to be in the top, working hard, equipping themselves with necessary skills. It is a question of priorities and women will have to navigate based on their own capacity and ability. According to the views of some of the women leaders they think that women must never adopt this self defeating belief in a glass ceiling beyond which they cannot sour. They think glass ceiling is a mere perception and women with talent and determination must keep on chipping away at it till it is smashed.

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Received on 15.01.2014 Modified on 28.01.2014

Asian J. Management 5(2): April-June, 2014 page 140-144