International Journal of Management (IJM)

Volume 11, Issue 12, December 2020, pp. 4335-4342, Article ID: IJM_11_12_415
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ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

BROAD UNEXPOSED SKILLS OF

TRANSGENDER ENTREPRENEURS
Lubna Suraiya Mohamed Hummer*
PG & Research Department of Commerce, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Teppakulam,
Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu State, India.

Dr. V. Josephine Lourdes De Rose

PG & Research Department of Commerce, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Teppakulam,
Affiliated to Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu State, India.
*Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT
Since ages gender difference is always a debatable theme whether caused by nature,
evolution or environment. The birth of a transgender is dreadful not only for the child
but also for their parents. The pain of living in the wrong physique and treated as second
class victimized citizen is outrageous and fully harboured with vicious baseless negative
scruples. For so long, social exclusion had perpetuated inequality and deprivation
experiencing ingrained malign stigma and besieged victims of crime or violence across
their life spans. They are pushed into the murky way of life with a source of eternal
disgust, bereft sexual potency and perennial fear. Although they are highly visible but
very little is known about them. The common public needs to comprehend the ravaged
arrogance on these insensitive souls and assist in integrating them into the mainstream
by offering equal opportunity, treat with humanity and respect their dignity.
Entrepreneurship in the current age is endorsing the gender fairness movement.
Unstable careers and economic inadequacy had inclined one of the gender variant
people called Transgender to become entrepreneurs. These tiny budding entrepreneurs
resulted in economic transition by means of employment, free from the clutches of
stereotype jobs, raised standard of living and handful of financial empowerment.
Besides all these inhibitions, they were able to witness a platform for skill set
development that ignited them to enter into entrepreneurial domain. This paper
epitomizes skill sets involved in trans-entrepreneurs of Thoothukudi Municipal
Corporation of Tamil Nadu State and is a groundbreaking determination to sightsee
various skills incorporated and the impact on entrepreneurship.
Key words: Gender Differences, Transgender, Entrepreneurs, economic transition and
skill set development

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 Broad Unexposed Skills of Transgender Entrepreneurs

Cite this Article: Lubna Suraiya Mohamed Hummer and V. Josephine Lourdes De
Rose, Broad Unexposed Skills of Transgender Entrepreneurs, International Journal of
Management (IJM), 11(12), 2020, pp. 4335-4342.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=11&Issue=12

1. INTRODUCTION
In 1965, Psychiatrist John F. Oliven of Columbia University coined the term Transgender in
his reference work Sexual Hygiene and Pathology. Transgender are an extremely secretive
community steeped in mystery. This disastrous community is enforced to live on the
fringes of society, despised in fear, never loved and welcomed. They are forbidden to talk
about their lives to outsiders. They lead lives more akin to bonded labourers rather than free
democratic citizens of the country. Once they step into this lifestyle, they are embroiled in a
web of deceit and abuse in every turn. Indian Census has never recognized third gender for
years. It was only in the year 2011, the data of transgender were collected by Census
Department for employment, literacy and caste but was clubbed in male category. There is a
nascent proof of transgender population growing. Ministry of Law and Social Justice both at
the Central and State need to recognize the suffered transgender people. It is really weird to
understand that public call these sexual minorities with derogatory names, does not
recognize for being trapped in the wrong gender and had always kept them aloof. Despite
receiving some recognition and social acceptance, they remain coldshouldered not only
in Indian societies but also worldwide. For a meaning change, formal legislation must be
passed to transform a social changeover with acceptance, respect and dignity.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study assumes the following objectives:
1. To understand the demographic contour of the transgender entrepreneurs.
2. To explore numerous skills implied by transgender entrepreneurs in their ventures.

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1. Research Design
This paper deals with the demographic summary in order to understand various business
skillsets applied by transgender entrepreneurs in their ventures. The literature review was
obtained from library sources, prominent e-journals, Madurai Transgender Resource Centre,
reputed newspaper online-news, notable author books/ biographies and Novels. The questions
were constructed using Likert’s Five-point scale and the variables were identified from the
review of literature with the help of transgender experts’ like Community Link Leaders, Para
Legal Volunteer and District Non-Official Third Gender Welfare Board Members. The
Reliability test was conducted using Cronbach’s Alpha which was 0.723.

3.2. Sample Selection Structure

The topographical region selected for the study was Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation of
Tamil Nadu State which is very popularly known for entrepreneurial hub and industrial
coverage. The sample elements were 270 transgender entrepreneurs using Daniel’s Formula.
The entire population was 340 in the Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation which was derived
from Transgender District Welfare Association. The sampling technique adopted was Simple
Random method for the study.

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 Lubna Suraiya Mohamed Hummer and V. Josephine Lourdes De Rose

3.3. Sample Calculation

In case of Finite Population the following simple formula represented by Daniel 1999 can be
used.
N = Z2 P (1-P) / d2 * 100

where :
n = sample size
Z = Z statistic or a level of confidence at 95% or 1.96
P = expected prevalence or proportion (in proportion if 20%, P = 0.2)
d = precision (in proportion if 5%, d = 0.05)
The computations of sample are given below:
= (1.96)2 * 0.2 ( 1 – 0.2) / 0.05 * 100
= 3.8416 * 0.2 (1 – 0.2) / 0.05 * 100
= 0.16832 (0.8) / 0.05 * 100
= 0.134656 / 0.05 * 100
= (2.61312 * 100)
= 269.312
= 270

3.4. Statistical Tools Used

IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21 was used for data analysis. The items were analyzed through
Percentile Analysis via Descriptive Statistics and the impact of skills has been clearly examined
with the help of fitted Regression mode.

4. DATA ANALYSIS
4.1. Demographic Profile of the Transgender Entrepreneurs
The demographic variables of the respondents are important to study. This comprises few
attributes like Age, Educational Qualification, Prime business ventures and income levels of
the respondents are considered.
Table 1 Age and Living Style

Way of Living
Age of the
Respondents
Family TG Isolation Total

0 11 0
Less than 25 years 11
(0.0) (4.0) (0.0)
0 57 2
25 - 35 years 59
(0.0) (21.1) (0.7)
1 165 0
36 - 45 years 166
(0.4) (61.1) (0.0)
0 27 3
46 – 55 years 30
(0.0) (10.0) (1.1)
0 0 4
Above 55 years 4
(0.0) (0.0) (1.5)
1 260 9
Total 270
(0.4) (96.3) (3.3)
Source: Primary Data

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 Broad Unexposed Skills of Transgender Entrepreneurs

It can be ascertained from the above table that the dominant age group of the respondents
is 36-45 years which constitutes a majority of (61.1 percent) who live with transgender and only
one point four percent prefer to live with their family members. Similarly 21.1 percent of the
respondents in the age group of 25-35 years reflect their living with transgender. The
transgender entrepreneurs hardly associate their living style within their families and one point
five of the respondents above the age group of above 55 years as well as one point one percent
of the respondents belong to the age group of 46-55 years live in isolation. Overall majority of
96.3 percent of the transgender respondents associates their living system with transgender
followed by three point three percent live separately and zero point four percent with their
family members.

Table 2 Education Qualification

Educational Qualification Respondents Percentage

Up to 8th Standard 101 37.4

9th – 10th Standard 55 20.3
11th – Higher Secondary 46 17.0
Diploma Holders 30 11.1
Bachelor’s Degree 21 7.8
Master’s Degree 12 4.4
Professional Degree 5 2.0
Total 270 100.0
Source : Primary Data

From the above table it is found that out of 270 respondents reflected for the study, 101
respondents pertaining 37.4 percent have studied up to 8th standard. Respondents with 20.3
percent constituted educational qualification up to 9th - 10th standard. 17.0 percent of the
transgender entrepreneurs have possessed education up to 11th to higher secondary level. The
respondents with Diploma comprises of 11.1 percent whereas for Bachelor’s it is 7.8 percent.
Confining towards Master’s Degree it is subjected to 4.4 percent and only 5 respondents i.e.
two percent of the transgender entrepreneurs have acquired Professional Degree as their
educational qualification. The analysis reveals that most of the respondents have studied up to
8th standard.

Table 3 Primary and Nature of Business

Nature of Business
Primary Business of the
Total
Respondents
Sole Proprietor Partnership
40 160
Food Making 200
(15.0) (59.2)
0 60
Mat Weaving 60
(0.0) (22.2)
7 0
Stitching/ Tailoring 7
(2.6) (0.0)
3 0
Agro related business 3
(1.1) (0.0)
50 220
Total 270
(18.5) (81.5)
Source: Primary Data

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 Lubna Suraiya Mohamed Hummer and V. Josephine Lourdes De Rose

The table above postulates that there are major four business ventures undertaken by
transgender entrepreneur respondents. Out of these, 200 respondents are occupied into food
business. Among them a majority of (59.2 percent) is doing partnership form of business and
only 15.0 percent are carrying their business in sole proprietorship form. As far as mat weaving
business is concerned all the 22.2 respondents are carrying their business in partnership. Only
seven and three transgender entrepreneurs pertaining to tailoring and agro related business has
shown sole proprietor nature of business. Overall, irrespective of any type of business the
transgender entrepreneurs have occupied in food making business and mostly prefer their nature
of business into partnership ventures except for tailoring and agro related business.

Table 4 Income Level

Income Respondents Percent Cumulative %
₹5,000 - 15,000 244 90.3 90.3
₹15,001 - 30,000 14 5.2 95.5
₹30,001 - 45,000 8 3.0 98.5
₹45,001 - 60,000 3 1.1 99.6
Above ₹60,000 1 0.4 100.0
Total 270 100.0
Source : Primary Data

The table above depicts that majority of (90.3 percent) of the respondents are earning
income ranging ₹5,000-15,000. 14 respondents of five point two percent earn up to ₹ 15,001-
30,000. 8 respondents with three percent make income of ₹30,001 - 45,000. 3 respondents with
one point one percent gain income of ₹45,001 - 60,000. Only one respondent with zero point
four percent have income level above ₹60,000. Hence, it can be conferred that most of the
transgender entrepreneurs have an earning capacity of ₹5,001 - ₹15,000.

4.2. Impact of skills on Transgender Entrepreneurs

The present study has made an attempt to examine the degree of influence of factors motivating
to start business ventures for transgender entrepreneurs on the capital invested. The impact of
skill set was obtained with the help of multiple regression analysis. The fitted regression mode
is:
y = a + b1x1 + b2x2 + ……………b6x6 + e
Where
Y = Business ventures
X1 = Skills and experience
X2 = Personal factors
X3 = Family factors
X4 = Economic factors
X5 = Employment factors
X6 = Market factors
b1, b2,.. b6 = Regression Co-efficient of independent variables
a = intercept
e = error term

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 Broad Unexposed Skills of Transgender Entrepreneurs

Table 5 Skills sets and nature of business

Variables Mean Score of transgender entrepreneurs
Food Mat Tailoring Agro

Experience 0.745** 0.647** 0.519** 0.464**

Personal -0.054 0.163 0.049 0.051

Family 0.125* 0.328* 0.326* 0.482**

Economic 0.343* 0.284* 0.259* 0.152*

Employment -0.065 -0.005 -0.001 NS -0.002 NS

NS

Market 0.145* 0.254* 0.678** 0.523**

R2 0.87 0.75 0.71 0.48
F-Test 112.2 124.7 132.7 146.5
Source : Primary Data

** Significant at one percent level

*Significant at five percent level
NS = Not Significant
The analysis reveals that the significantly influencing factors on the skill sets of the nature
of business are Experience, personal, family, economic, employment and market factors since
their regression co-efficient are significant at five percent level. The nature of food making
business in the above said factors showed an increase in the skill set by 0.733, 0.115, 0.314 and
0.152 respectively. The change in the view factors are explained to an extent of 77.1 percent
since R2 is 0.871. Similarly in case of mat weaving the proportionate increase can be observed
by 0.674, 0.288, 0.259 and 0.678. The mean score for mat weaving nature of business is 0.752.
In case of tailoring, it is noted that the factors have shown an increase by 0.529, 0.312, 0.259
and 0.678 in the mean scores and the changes in the view of factors explain the changes in the
nature of business for tailoring is 0.714 and agro related business is 0.452 respectively. There
is a higher extent of (87.1 percent) in food making nature of business.

Table 6 Skill Set Projection

S.No Variables Cumulative Mean F Statistics

Score
1. Group Skills 8.1098 9.055**
2. Soft Skills 0.1238 1.480 NS
3. Behavioral Skills 0.2333 1.8254 NS
4. Creative Skills 7.521 8.291**
5. Risk Skills 3.152 5.143*
6. Business Management Skills 0.288 2.713 NS
Source : Primary Data
The highly viewed variable are Group skills contributing the mean score as 2.1098 followed
by Creative skills with a cumulative mean score of 7.521and slightly showing significant skill
projection on risk bearing skills and not significant towards soft skills and behavioural skills
ranging with F statistics as 1.480 and 18254.

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 Lubna Suraiya Mohamed Hummer and V. Josephine Lourdes De Rose

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

1. As far as the age group of the transgender entrepreneurs is concerned, 36-45 years constitutes
a majority of (61.1 percent) who live with transgender and only one point four percent prefers
to live with their family members and none in isolation. Overall, 96.3 percent of the transgender
respondents associate their living system with transgender.
2. Out of 270 respondents, majority of 101 respondents with 37.4 percent have studied up to 8th
standard. The analysis reveals that most of the respondents have studied up to 8th standard. Only
5 respondents ie., two percent of the transgender entrepreneurs have acquired Professional
Degree as their educational qualification.
3. A majority of (59.2 percent) is doing partnership form of business and only 15.0 percent are
carrying their business in sole proprietorship form. Irrespective of any type of business venture,
the transgender entrepreneurs have occupied predominantly in food making business and
mostly prefer their nature of business into partnership ventures except for tailoring and agro
related business.
4. Most of the transgender entrepreneurs have an earning capacity of ₹5,001 - 15,000. Only one
respondent with zero point four percent have income level above ₹60,000.
5. On the basis of skill set and nature of business, it is conferred that there is a significant
variations in influencing factors for trans-entrepreneurship such as experience, personal, family,
economic, employment and market factors since their regression co-efficient are significant at
five percent level. There is a higher extent of 87.1 percent in food making nature of business.
6. On the skill set Projection scale the highly viewed variable are Group skills contributing the
mean score as 2.1098 followed by Creative skills with a cumulative mean score of 7.521and
slightly showing significant skill projection on risk bearing skills and not significant towards
soft skills and behavioural skills ranging with F statistics as 1.480 and 18254.

6. SUGGESTIONS
The following are the suggestions incorporated from the study :
• Entrepreneurial Development Centre should establish Transgender Cell in every
educational institution. This will enhance entrepreneurial or employment opportunities
for trans community and also clear misconception which will generate a platform for
exhibiting their skill sets and bring more of societal inclusion.
• Exclusive Training and Development Programmes are to be offered. Along with that
financial support can be granted so that there is no troublesome in commencing of
business ventures by transgender entrepreneurs. Sponsors, Donors and various high
profile business tycoons can contribute monetary assistance to trans-community.

7. CONCLUSION
Transgender persons are constantly facing manifold forms of social discrimination and
oppression in the country. Discernment is so extensive and marked even in basic necessities
like healthcare, employment and education, that it makes their social inclusion a daunting task.
It is the need of the hour, to step out a remedy to get out of the clutches of the terrible situation
and advance social inclusion for the members of this community through strong legal as well
as social dimensions to lead a dignified, respectful and equilibrium life. Awareness packages
and sensitization of transgenders as well as the associates of the society need to be agreed upon
in order to ensure their social enclosure.

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 Broad Unexposed Skills of Transgender Entrepreneurs

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