Social Media as a Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurs: Scaling Small Businesses in the Digital World
摘要
This paper intends to examine the extent to which women entrepreneurs of small-scale business have digitized their business using social media in this digital era of industry 4.0. Nature of this study is Qualitative. Exploratory in-depth interview method was used for data collection. 10 women entrepreneurs from various industries were interviewed. This study contributes with new insights regarding women entrepreneurs’ behavior and approach towards digital upskilling, practical learning, entrepreneurial training. Results of the study show that cheap availability of technology, convenience, ease of use are the compelling reasons for digitization of business. On the contrary, limited resources, continuous growth of technology, the need for consistent learning of new skills, stress, work life balance are the other factors that hinder the digital adoption of business. This study provides understanding between women entrepreneurship, business and technology adoption with social media as a catalyst. Presently in Industry 4.0 era, socially relevant business, innovative methods for doing a business are gaining momentum. In this digitally cluttered environment, it is vital for women entrepreneurs of small-scale business to unlearn, learn and relearn technology and implement in their ventures to make their business successful.