The impact of connectivity technology on home-based business venturing: The case of women in the North East of England

Abstract

This article aims to assess the extent to which connectivity technology has contributed to home-based business activities of women in the North East of England. Based on an empirical survey of 98 women-owned home-based businesses, the article concludes that technology has reframed the concept of ‘home economics’, providing an effective medium for engaging women in the labour market. The article argues that home-based business venturing needs to be further promoted via appropriate policy channels and support networks as a viable and serious employment opportunity, as well as a solution to dual-role conflict experienced by some women who may otherwise be deterred from playing active roles in the local and regional economic development.

The Role of Entrepreneur-Venture Fit in Online Home-Based Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Examples of the more extreme nature of online home-based businesses, which are explored further in latter section of this systematic literature review, include the speed at which a business can be established and launched to the whole world (Wynarczyk and Graham, 2013), the opportunity to create a business that can operate whilst the entrepreneur is away from it, allowing them to work elsewhere at the same time and hence benefit from multiple income streams (Bryant, 2000: Gelderen et al, 2008. Since many online home-based businesses are designed to need little face to face input from people, those running such businesses from home suffer greater isolation than, for example, those operating home-based businesses in the hospitality sector or those who sell their products at traditional markets .…”

“…Establishing their business online and from home in order to combine paid work with caring responsibilities results in them suffering the 'double day' of simultaneous paid work and unpaid caring (Bryant, 2000). Hence, whilst there may be some truth in the observation of Wajcman (2009) (cited in Wynarczyk and Graham, 2013) when he sates 'the internet … is potentially liberating for women ' (p.452), the consequences of that liberation should also be taken into account.…”

“…Some countries also offer tax relief for businesses operating from home, allowing a proportion of the costs of running the home to be classified as a business expense (Christensen, 1987;Wynarczyk and Graham, 2013). As noted above, these low costs to establish and operate, mean that many online home-based businesses are often formed with modest investments from the founders own sources, and the business model is designed to reduce the need for working capital.…”

“…Indeed, the motivation to leverage labour often results in the development of a business model that can be operated without face to face interaction. Hence online home-based businesses have been found to be strongly associated with feelings of isolation Christensen, 1987;Mason et al, 2011;Sayers, 2009Sayers, -2010Wynarczyk and Graham, 2013). Some entrepreneurs develop strategies to address or ameliorate such feelings, for example participating in face to face networking events, using social media and developing spheres of interest outside of the business (Golden et al, 2008;Michel, 2011).…”

“…Being able to work in the home allows female entrepreneurs to balance work and care giving, and was frequently cited in the studies identified in the review (arrow 2) Nansen et al, 2010;Wynarczyk and Graham, 2013). The characteristics of the online aspect of online home-based businesses identified in the studies make this type of venture even more attractive to women.…”