Designing a Model for the Development of Social Entrepreneurship among the Rural Women: Application of Grounded Theory

Although women, especially rural women, play an important role in the development of developing countries; But unfortunately, not much attention is paid to their problems and economic activities. In this regard, rural women microcredit funds can provide a platform for the development of social entrepreneurship and thus solve the problems of rural women; therefore, paying attention to the development of social entrepreneurship activities in the form of rural women micro-credit funds is of great importance and necessity. The aim of this study was to designing a model for the development of social entrepreneurship among the rural women member of microfinance funds in Ivan Township. This research was qualitative in terms of paradigm and applied in terms of purpose, which was done using grounded theory. The study statistical population includes experts in the field of entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship and managers and women members of rural microfinance funds in Ivan Township. The studied samples were first selected purposefully and then selected as a theoretical sample. After 19 interviews, theoretical saturation was obtained. In order to analyze the data, open, axial and selective coding were performed. The findings showed that knowledge and information, personal turmoil, social capital, social responsibility, role modeling, psychological characteristics, social awareness, the nature of microcredit funds and demographic were the components of model of social entrepreneurship development among rural women. Result showed that social entrepreneurship development strategies among rural women microcredit funds including economic support, educational support, financial-supportive policies, modeling and team building were effective.