Women in Saudi Arabia have not been participating in the retail industry at the same rate as men (Weston, 2008). The reasons behind the occurrence can be attributed to cultural, political, social, and economical parameters operating in the Saudi Arabian jurisdiction (Leavy, 2007).
The low participation means that women fail to get a chance to grow o other sectors of the economy (in most cases development and growth in business starts from retail segments. Men have dominated women and seem to have taken center stage in making decisions that continue the suppression of women in the community (Hyam, 2004). This proposal aims at conducting primary and secondary research to look reasons and obstacles for women to penetrate retail industry in Saudi labour market.
Literature review
Saudi Arabia is a highly populated country that falls in the category of consumer country; the large number of population makes the country a hub of activities including retail industry (Miner-Rubino and Jayaratne, 2007).
The market is dominated by national and international customers willing to purchase different products offered by the market. With the domination, high population and existence of variety of products, the market is appealing for retail businesses (Lykes and Coquillon, 2006).
The culture of Saudi Arabia is dominated by the Muslims; the religion can be seen as one of the main hindrance to low women participation in the retail industry (Hesse-Biber, 2007). According to Muslimism, women are given the role of taking care of their husbands, their children and are not seen to be involved much economic development (Halse and Honey, 2005).
Men have been socialized to believe that they should be the sole bread winner of the family thus they are the ones to work and seek economic development for a family (Robert, 2009). The religion belief has made much women to be left without an option other than depend on men for their live hood (Harding, 1987).
The economic environment of women and the financial power they have also is a hindrance to their involvement in retail sector. To start a business calls for capital that one can either get from bank loans, personal savings, friend or any other such means (Carmen, 2005). The avenues of getting the finances seem to be blocked for Saudi Arabian woman.
For instance they do not have the funds to save to start their business, again they cannot seek for help from their husbands or friends (Hesse-Biber and Leavy, 2008). When it comes to securing a loan facility, banks require the women to have securities of which they do not have. The securities of a family belongs to the husband thus in the event that the woman will get the security, she will have to pass through the husband; this becomes a challenge (Borland, 1991).
Another challenge that Saudi Arabian women have is lack of quality information that they can depend on to establish and see businesses grow (Turchin, 2007). Some women are married at tender age not giving them the chance to get quality education (Giuck and Patai, 2003).
When this happens it means that the cycle of poverty in the women side remains and continues to manifest itself in all aspects of her life (Brooks, 2007). The communities on the other hand seem to justify the system and are okay with the situation of the country (Leavy, 2007).
References
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