ICT as an Enabler for Small Firm Growth

Abstract

The advancing pace of women’s entrepreneurial activity across the globe is a promising trend to fuel economic development and social progress (Fitzsimons & O’Gorman, 2005). Analysis of the reasons why women start a new business, the choice of product/service, and industry sector highlight the home-based female entrepreneur. These entrepreneurs constitutes a segment referred to as the mompreneurs—mothers who establish a business operated from home. Thus, although mompreneurs gain benefits of operating their business from home, they also experience additional challenges. One such issue is their dependence on ICT. To succeed and grow, mompreneurs’ businesses must use ICT as a backbone for the business in an integrated manner. In this article, the author examines the adoption and application of ICT in the mompreneur business, as well as the challenges encountered in its effective use. A specific emphasis is placed on the issue of ICT and its use by the mompreneur in undertaking business transactions and as a means of facilitating small firm growth.

Antecedents and outcomes of ICTs adoption by mompreneurs: Empirical evidence from Brazil

“…Specifically, for mompreneurs, Costin (2011) highlights the role of ICTs as facilitators of the development and operation of their ventures. According to the author, mompreneurs have played a part in the creation of new ventures, using technological innovations as a tool for business success and development (Costin, 2011).…”

“…Specifically, for mompreneurs, Costin (2011) highlights the role of ICTs as facilitators of the development and operation of their ventures. According to the author, mompreneurs have played a part in the creation of new ventures, using technological innovations as a tool for business success and development (Costin, 2011). Richomme-Huet and Vial (2014) highlight that technologies such as the internet, social media, and e-commerce encourage entrepreneurship and facilitate the exploration of business opportunities by mompreneurs.…”

“…Some of these studies identified factors related to the adoption of ICTs by women entrepreneurs (e.g. : Costin, 2011;Crittenden et al, 2019;Gichuki and Mulu-Mutuku, 2018;Mathew, 2010;Ozkazanc-Pan and Muntean, 2018). Among these factors are ease of use and perceived usefulness (Crittenden et al, 2019), which are variables of the Technology Acceptance Model proposed by Davis (1989).…”

“…Despite the relevance of ICTs for mompreneurs, few studies such as Costin (2011) and Richomme-Huet and Vial (2014) have addressed the use of ICTs by mompreneurs. Costin (2011), for example, developed a qualitative research on this topic and highlighted the need for more empirical, quantitative and comprehensive studies. In this context, the aim of this study is to simultaneously explore the factors related to the use of ICTs by mompreneurs (antecedents of ICT use) and the impacts of the use of ICTs on perceived financial performance (outcomes of ICT use).…”

“…ICTs such as the Internet and social networks enable these women to run online businesses and to market their products and services from home, contributing to balance their networking activities and family life (Constantinidis, 2011; Jean and Forbes, 2012; Nel et al, 2010). Therefore, ICTs use is a key element for the success of mompreneurs’ ventures (Costin, 2011).…”