The influence of gender on the adoption of technology among SMEs

Barbara J. Orser and Allan Riding

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2018, vol. 33, issue 4, 514-531

Abstract: This study explores the influence of gender on adoption of information technology (IT) among owners of small firms. In the small firm context, owner-managers are central to decision-making, including IT adoption. This potentially allows gender-related factors to influence the IT adoption decision. Accordingly, the research literature associated with female business owners is used to comment conceptually on gender-related factors subsumed among accepted antecedents of IT adoption decisions. Empirical findings are based on 21 key informant interviews. The study documents numerous perceived gender-related influences embedded within IT adoption among owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises, such that women are less likely than men to adopt IT. The implications for research, policy and practice are discussed.

Keywords: gender; women entrepreneurs; information technology; technology adoption model; digital competencies; ICT; IT. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijesbu:v:33:y:2018:i:4:p:514-531

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