Exploring External Influences on Women’s Entrepreneurial Intention: Evidence from Women-Owned Restaurant Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Despite the increasing presence of female restaurant entrepreneurs in Northeastern Thailand, many continue to face significant obstacles that threaten their survival. The regional Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) growth rate remains weak, and the high turnover rate among female entrepreneurs stems primarily from limited financial resources, limited access to credit, and insufficient managerial skills. Existing research has not adequately examined external determinants influencing women’s entrepreneurial intentions, such as access to capital, materials, and labor; opportunities for experiential learning; advances in technology that enhance operational efficiency; and government support, including regulatory guidance and financial assistance. This study investigates how these elements shape the entrepreneurial decision-making of women in the Northeastern region. The results will guide policy formulation and facilitate initiatives to foster sustainable long-term growth of women-owned SMEs in the region.

Methodology: A quantitative survey design with stratified sampling was employed. The sample consisted of 259 female entrepreneurs operating small and medium-sized enterprise restaurants across 20 Northeastern provinces. Data collection captured demographic and business characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize respondent profiles, while inferential statistics tested the research hypotheses. Multiple Regression Analysis examined the effects of resource availability, learning experience, technological advancement, and government support on entrepreneurial intention.

Results: Resource readiness, including access to capital, quality raw materials, and skilled labor showed a strong positive influence on entrepreneurial intention (p < 0.05). Adequate resources increased confidence in starting and expanding a business while reducing operational risks. Learning experiences derived from practical work and training also had a significant effect (p < 0.05), emphasizing the value of experiential knowledge in informed decision-making. Technological advancement, particularly the use of online sales platforms and social media marketing, enhanced efficiency and expanded customer reach (p < 0.05). By contrast, government support was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), indicating that existing programs may not effectively meet entrepreneurs’ needs or may be difficult to access and utilize.

Discussions: The findings highlight that resource readiness and learning experience are central to fostering entrepreneurial intentions among female restaurateurs. Access to necessary resources lowers entry barriers and strengthens competitiveness, while experiential learning enables entrepreneurs to adapt to shifting market conditions. Technology adoption further supports entrepreneurial intention by improving operations, marketing, and customer engagement factors essential for SMEs in highly competitive environments. The absence of significant impact from government support suggests that policies may be misaligned with real challenges or insufficiently implemented. A significant number of female entrepreneurs continue to rely on personal resources or local networks instead of structured government assistance.

Conclusions: This study indicates that entrepreneurs should prioritize self-development by cultivating resources, accumulating experience, and applying technology to improve their competitiveness. Insufficient government support indicates that current approaches do not adequately address the genuine needs of these businesses.  Policymakers should enhance support strategies to make them more targeted, including offering microfinance options tailored to the restaurant sector, delivering digital skills training specifically for female entrepreneurs, and establishing business networks that reflect industry characteristics.