Effect of ICT on Women Entrepreneur Business Performance: Case of Malaysia

Abstract

Women entrepreneur has gained utmost importance in the past few decades in Malaysia due to their significant contribution to the country's economic development. However, few business challenges create a constant obstruction for many women entrepreneurs such as lack of ICT knowledge, time constraint to learn ICT, lack of technological expertise, etc. The present study aims to identify the effect of ICT adoption on business performance and examine how ICT usage helped them handle operational business matters. The present study adopted the qualitative research strategy, and researchers interviewed ten (10) women entrepreneurs for this study. A semi-structured interview technique was applied, and six Malay and four Chinese entrepreneurs made the study population. The result highlights that Malay and Chinese entrepreneurs use ICT in their business operation such as warehousing system, purchasing system, HRM software and accounting system, purchase order system, production system, internal communication, and AutoCAD. The present study may support the prospective entrepreneurs in considering the ICT usage to embark on technology and innovation and provide inputs to policymakers to design a proper support system for Malaysian women entrepreneurs, particularly those new entrepreneurs who are mostly young and inexperienced.

Can Online Platforms Promote Women-Led Exporting Firms?

“…Digital technologies play an important role in shaping the business environment for all firms. Growth of firms in the modern time hinges on access and effective implementation of ICT technologies (Isa et al 2021). This implementation of ICT technologies has spurred greater cross-border trade, particularly in the context of regional trade agreements that lower tariffs and other traditional trade barriers, thereby fostering business development, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (Bacasmas et al 2022).…”

Effect of Women's Entrepreneurship Practices on Information Communication Technology (ICT) Adoption During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study in West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…Nevertheless, empirical studies have indicated that female entrepreneurs still face performance gaps compared to their male counterparts (Fairlie & Robb, 2009; International Finance Corporation, 2014; Kelley et al, 2017). The practice of women's entrepreneurship in this study refers to the application of various practices by women entrepreneurs aimed at improving business performance (Isa et al 2021). The success of women entrepreneurs' business performance is Effect of Women's Entrepreneurship Practices on Information Communication Technology (ICT) Adoption During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study in West Sumatra, Indonesia influenced by the adoption of new technologies, such as the internet, which has transformed the way their businesses operate (Agarwal & Lenka 2018).…”

“…Initially, SMEs undertaken by women entrepreneurs were often considered as supplementary income to support their husbands and contribute to household finances. However, with serious dedication, these businesses can become the primary source of household income (Isa et al, 2021).…”

“…With the dynamic capabilities of entrepreneurs, ICT serves as an efficient and innovative tool. Additionally, as highlighted by Isa et al (2021), ICT can be utilized in business through electronic trade, encompassing processes such as ecommerce and m-commerce, which involve buying and selling. Previous literature has primarily focused on one dimension of ICT, namely electronic commerce (Kurnia et al, 2015;Turban et al, 2010), which entails the buying and selling process.…”

Women minority entrepreneurs: Motivational factors and challenges

“…Women entrepreneurs have characteristics that set them apart from nonentrepreneur women. Women entrepreneurs in the 21st century seem to combine entrepreneurial characteristics: self-discipline, focus, independence, systematic thinking, empathy, and creativity (Isa et al, 2021). The entrepreneur woman is enthusiastic about dynamism, change, and success.…”