RESEARCH ARTICLE
Technology Adoption Intention and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Ability of Rural Women in Bangladesh
Tanwne Sarker,
Rana Roy,
Sabina Yeasmin,
Md. Ghulam Rabbany,
Muhammad Asaduzzaman,
Corresponding Author
Tanwne Sarker
Department of Sociology and Rural Development, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, Bangladesh
Correspondence:
Tanwne Sarker ([email protected])
Muhammad Asaduzzaman ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorRana Roy
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorSabina Yeasmin
Open School, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorMd. Ghulam Rabbany
Department of Agribusiness and Marketing, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Muhammad Asaduzzaman
Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Correspondence:
Tanwne Sarker ([email protected])
Muhammad Asaduzzaman ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorTanwne Sarker,
Rana Roy,
Sabina Yeasmin,
Md. Ghulam Rabbany,
Muhammad Asaduzzaman,
Corresponding Author
Tanwne Sarker
Department of Sociology and Rural Development, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, Bangladesh
Correspondence:
Tanwne Sarker ([email protected])
Muhammad Asaduzzaman ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorRana Roy
Department of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorSabina Yeasmin
Open School, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorMd. Ghulam Rabbany
Department of Agribusiness and Marketing, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Muhammad Asaduzzaman
Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Correspondence:
Tanwne Sarker ([email protected])
Muhammad Asaduzzaman ([email protected])
Search for more papers by this authorFunding: The authors received no specific funding for this work.
ABSTRACT
The expansion of women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh is essential for economic development, primarily driven by the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This expansion is more noticeable in urban areas, generating a research gap to find out the adoption of ICT among rural women entrepreneurs. Our present study seeks to identify the factors influencing ICT adoption intentions among women entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh. Data from 315 respondents were collected and analyzed utilizing partial least squares-structural equation modeling through Smart PLS 3.3v software. Our results reveal that women's utilization of ICT is positively associated with their access to material, mental, skill, usage, and ICT in microfinance. This adoption significantly upgrades the business skills of rural Bangladeshi women, offering essential insights for future entrepreneurs. Our study provides a comprehensive framework for assessing ICT adoption access points and offers policymakers' practical implications for empowering women by expanding ICT access to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Open Research
Data Availability Statement
Data used in this study are included and the raw data will be provided upon request.
References
- Ajzen, I. 1991. “The Theory of Planned Behavior.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50: 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T.
- Al-Gahtani, S. S., G. S. Hubona, and J. Wang. 2007. “Information Technology (IT) in Saudi Arabia: Culture and the Acceptance and Use of IT.” Information and Management 44: 681–691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2007.09.002.
- Alvi, M., P. Barooah, S. Gupta, and S. Saini. 2021. “Women's Access to Agriculture Extension Amidst COVID-19: Insights From Gujarat, India and Dang, Nepal.” Agricultural Systems 188: 103035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2020.103035.
- Atarah, B. A., A.-R. Mustapha, P. Nyaaba, and O. B. O. Damoah. 2024. “Sustainable Procurement Practices and Female Entrepreneurs: Insights From a Developing Country.” Business Strategy and Development 7: e421. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.421.
- Bidwell, N. J., S. Robinson, E. Vartiainen, et al. 2014. “Designing Social Media for Community Information Sharing in Rural South Africa.” In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 104. https://doi.org/10.1145/2664591.2664615.
10.1145/2664591.2664615 Google Scholar
- Boehe, D. M., and C. L. Barin. 2013. “Gender and Microfinance Performance: Why Does the Institutional Context Matter?” World Development 47: 121–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.02.012.
- Buskens, I., A. Webb, G. Macueve, et al. 2021. “ Women's Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Mozambique: A Tool for Empowerment?” In African Women and ICTs. London, UK: Zed Books Ltd. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350218161.ch-002.
- Cardona, M., T. Kretschmer, and T. Strobel. 2013. “ICT and Productivity: Conclusions From the Empirical Literature.” Information Economics and Policy 25: 109–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoecopol.2012.12.002.
- Chatterjee, S., S. Dutta Gupta, and P. Upadhyay. 2020. “Technology Adoption and Entrepreneurial Orientation for Rural Women: Evidence From India.” Technological Forecasting and Social Change 160: 120236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120236.
- Chew, H. E., V. P. Ilavarasan, and M. R. Levy. 2015. “Mattering Matters: Agency, Empowerment, and Mobile Phone Use by Female Microentrepreneurs.” Information Technology for Development 21: 523–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2013.839437.
- Chin, W. W. 1998a. “ The Partial Least Squares Approach to Structural Equation Modelling.” In Modern Methods for Business Research. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Chin, W. W. 1998b. “The Partial Least Squares Approach for Structural Equation Modeling.” Modern Methods for Business Research 295: 295–336.
- Cofriyanti, E., and A. N. Hidayanto. 2013. “The Relationship Among Organisations' Factors, Information Technology, Innovation and Performance: An Indonesian SMEs Study.” International Journal of Innovation and Learning 14: 422–443. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJIL.2013.056236.
10.1504/IJIL.2013.056236 Google Scholar
- Collings, D. G. 2014. “Integrating Global Mobility and Global Talent Management: Exploring the Challenges and Strategic Opportunities.” Journal of World Business 49: 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2013.11.009.
- Compeau, D. R., and C. A. Higgins. 1995. “Computer Self-Efficacy: Development of a Measure and Initial Test.” MIS Quarterly: Management Information Systems 19: 189–211. https://doi.org/10.2307/249688.
- Crabtree, J. 2016. “India Internet: Laying the Foundations.” Financial Times, 2016.
- Crittenden, V. L., W. F. Crittenden, and H. Ajjan. 2019. “Empowering Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in Emerging Economies: The Role of Information Communications Technology.” Journal of Business Research 98: 191–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.01.045.
- Davamanirajan, P., R. J. Kauffman, C. H. Kriebel, and T. Mukhopadhyay. 2006. “Systems Design, Process Performance, and Economic Outcomes in International Banking.” Journal of Management Information Systems 23: 67–92. https://doi.org/10.2753/MIS0742-1222230204.
- Davis, F. D. 1986. “A Technology Acceptance Model for Empirically Testing New End-User Information Systems: Theory and Results.” PhD diss., Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Davis, S. S. 2008. “Empowering Women Weavers? The Internet in Rural Morocco.” Information Technologies and International Development 4: 17–23. https://doi.org/10.1162/itid.2008.00005.
10.1162/itid.2008.00005 Google Scholar
- Dhar, S., K. A. U. Zaman, and B. K. Dhar. 2024. “MSMEs and Economic Growth: Fostering an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Bangladesh for Sustainable Development.” Business Strategy and Development 7: e423. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.423.
- Diniz, E. H., R. Birochi, and M. Pozzebon. 2012. “Triggers and Barriers to Financial Inclusion: The Use of ICT-Based Branchless Banking in an Amazon County.” Electronic Commerce Research and Applications 11: 484–494. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2011.07.006.
- Diniz, E. H., M. Pozzebon, and M. Jayo. 2008. “ Banking Technology to Scale Microfinance: The Case of Correspondent Banking in Brazil.” In ICIS 2008 Proceedings, vol. 144. https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2008/144.
- Fornell, C., and D. F. Larcker. 1981. “Evaluating Structural Equation Models With Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error.” Journal of Marketing Research 18: 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312.
- Giotopoulos, I., A. Kontolaimou, E. Korra, and A. Tsakanikas. 2017. “What Drives ICT Adoption by SMEs? Evidence From a Large-Scale Survey in Greece.” Journal of Business Research 81: 60–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.08.007.
- Hair, J. F., C. M. Ringle, and M. Sarstedt. 2013. “PLS-SEM: Rigorous Applications, Better Results and Higher Acceptance.” Long Range Planning 47: 1–12.
- Hall, B. H., F. Lotti, and J. Mairesse. 2013. “Evidence on the Impact of R&D and ICT Investments on Innovation and Productivity in Italian Firms.” Economics of Innovation and New Technology 22: 300–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/10438599.2012.708134.
- Hilbert, M. 2011. “Digital Gender Divide or Technologically Empowered Women in Developing Countries? A Typical Case of Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics.” Women's Studies International Forum 34: 479–489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2011.07.001.
- Hinson, R. E. 2011. “Banking the Poor: The Role of Mobiles.” Journal of Financial Services Marketing 15: 320–333. https://doi.org/10.1057/fsm.2010.29.
10.1057/fsm.2010.29 Google Scholar
- Hirmer, S. A., A. Mazzone, A. Leonard, and C. Conforti. 2022. “The Power of Language: Exploring Values, Empowerment Dynamics and Communication Strategies for Gender-Inclusive Energy Service Design in Rural Uganda.” Energy Research and Social Science 85: 102379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102379.
- Igun, S. E. 2015. “Strategic Impact of ICT on Modern Day Banking in Nigeria.” International Journal of Strategic Information Technology and Applications 5: 78–93. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijsita.2014100105.
10.4018/ijsita.2014100105 Google Scholar
- Ihtiyar, A. 2018. “The Role of Social Environment and Personality: Validation of Antecedents of Intercultural Communication Competence and Its Effects on Customer Satisfaction.” Journal of Management, Economics and Industrial Organization 2: 33–59. https://doi.org/10.31039/jomeino.2018.2.1.4.
10.31039/jomeino.2018.2.1.4 Google Scholar
- Jaim, J. 2020. “Does Network Work? Women Business-Owners' Access to Information Regarding Financial Support From Development Programme in Bangladesh.” Business Strategy and Development 1–11: 148–158. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.135.
10.1002/bsd2.135 Google Scholar
- Jayo, M., E. H. Diniz, F. Zambaldi, and T. P. Christopoulos. 2012. “Groups of Services Delivered by Brazilian Branchless Banking and Respective Network Integration Models.” Electronic Commerce Research and Applications 11: 504–517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2011.07.005.
- Jorgenson, D. W., M. S. Ho, and K. J. Stiroh. 2008. “A Retrospective Look at the US Productivity Growth Resurgence.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 22: 3–24.
- Kabeer, N. 1999. “Resources, Agency, Achievements: Reflections on the Measurement of Women's Empowerment.” Development and Change 30: 435–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7660.00125.
- Karim, R. 2017. “Socioeconomic Impacts of Microfinance Programs in the Development of Bangladesh.” Asian Finance and Banking Review 1: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.46281/asfbr.v1i1.1.
10.46281/asfbr.v1i1.1 Google Scholar
- Koellinger, P. 2008. “The Relationship Between Technology, Innovation, and Firm Performance-Empirical Evidence From E-Business in Europe.” Research Policy 37: 1317–1328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2008.04.024.
- Kuada, J. 2009. “Gender, Social Networks, and Entrepreneurship in Ghana.” Journal of African Business 1: 85–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228910802701445.
10.1080/15228910802701445 Google Scholar
- Kuo, F. Y., F. C. Tseng, C. I. C. Lin, and W. H. Tang. 2013. “Critical Success Factors for Motivating and Sustaining Women's ICT Learning.” Computers & Education 67: 208–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.03.006.
- Kwong-Kay, W. K. 2013. “Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) Techniques Using SmartPLS.” Marketing Bulletin 24: 1–32.
- Leonard-Barton, D., and I. Deschamps. 1988. “Managerial Influence in the Implementation of New Technology.” Management Science 34: 1252. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.34.10.1252.
- Levendis, J., and S. H. Lee. 2013. “On the Endogeneity of Telecommunications and Economic Growth: Evidence From Asia.” Information Technology for Development 19: 62–85. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2012.694793.
- Liao, W. C., C. C. Tseng, and M. H. C. Ho. 2015. “The Effects of Integrating Innovative Resources on Organisational Performance: The Moderating Role of Innovation Life Cycle.” International Journal of Technology Management 67: 215–244. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTM.2015.068220.
- Lyman, T. R., M. Pickens, and D. Porteous. 2008. Regulating Transformational Branchless Banking: Mobile Phones and Other Technology to Increase Access to Finance. Washington, DC: CGAP Focus Note.
- Mathew, V. 2010. “Women Entrepreneurship in Middle East: Understanding Barriers and Use of ICT for Entrepreneurship Development.” International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal 6: 163–181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-010-0144-1.
- Mohammad, S., and A. Rahman. 2016. “Leveraging ICTs for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh: A Review of Recent Developments and Way Forward.” European Journal of Business and Social Sciences 5: 1–15.
- Odunukan, K., M. Akter, D. Hack-Polay, M. Rahman, and P. Igwe. 2021. “Internationalisation of Rural Small-and-Medium Enterprises From Nigeria: Examining Social and Organisational Impact.” Business Strategy and Development 5: 80–93. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.185.
- Pick, J. B., K. Gollakota, and M. Singh. 2014. “Technology for Development: Understanding Influences on Use of Rural Telecenters in India.” Information Technology for Development 20: 296–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2013.837806.
- Powell, G. N., and K. A. Eddleston. 2013. “Linking Family-to-Business Enrichment and Support to Entrepreneurial Success: Do Female and Male Entrepreneurs Experience Different Outcomes?” Journal of Business Venturing 28: 261–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2012.02.007.
- Rahman, A. 2013. “ICT Impact on Socio-Economic Conditions of Rural Bangladesh.” Journal of World Economic Research 2: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jwer.20130201.11.
10.11648/j.jwer.20130201.11 Google Scholar
- Rahman, M., M. Akter, and D. Radicic. 2019. “Internationalization as a Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Impact of Regulatory Environment: An Emerging Country Perspective.” Business Strategy and Development 1–13: 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.90.
10.1002/bsd2.90 Google Scholar
- Rahman, M. M., M. J. Hasan, B. Chandra Deb, M. S. Rahman, and A. S. Kabir. 2023. “The Effect of Social Media Entrepreneurship on Sustainable Development: Evidence From Online Clothing Shops in Bangladesh.” Heliyon 9: 19397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19397.
- Rahman, M. S., M. E. Haque, M. S. I. Afrad, S. S. Hasan, and M. A. Rahman. 2023. “Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Empowerment of Rural Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence From Rural Bangladesh.” Heliyon 9: e21604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21604.
- Rahman, S. M. T., M. K. Alam, and S. Kar. 2013. “Factors Considered Important for Establishing Small and Medium Enterprises by Women Entrepreneurs—A Study on Khulna City.” Business and Management Horizons 1: 171–190. https://doi.org/10.5296/bmh.v1i1.3924.
10.5296/bmh.v1i1.3924 Google Scholar
- Rogers, E. M. 1995. Diffusion of Innovations. International Encyclopedia of the Social Behavioral Sciences. Free Press: New York.
- Roldán, J. L., and M. J. Sánchez-Franco. 2012. “ Variance-Based Structural Equation Modeling: Guidelines for Using Partial Least Squares in Information Systems Research.” In Research Methodologies, Innovations and Philosophies in Software Systems Engineering and Information Systems, edited by M. Mora, O. Gelman, A. L. Steenkamp, and M. Raisinghani, 193–221. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
10.4018/978-1-4666-0179-6.ch010 Google Scholar
- Sarker, T., R. Roy, S. Yeasmin, and M. Asaduzzaman. 2024. “Enhancing Women's Empowerment as an Effective Strategy to Improve Food Security in Rural Bangladesh: A Pathway to Achieving SDG-2.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 8: 1436949. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1436949.
- Sassen, S. 2002. “Towards a Sociology of Information Technology.” Current Sociology 50: 365–388. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392102050003005.
10.1177/0011392102050003005 Google Scholar
- Schuler, S. R., and E. Rottach. 2010. “Women's Empowerment Across Generations in Bangladesh.” Journal of Development Studies 46: 379–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380903318095.
- Silva, S. 2002. “Quantum Leap: Microcredit Boosted by Technology.” Microcredit Americas Magazine, Inter-American Development Bank: 32–35.
- Summers, K. H., T. D. Baird, E. Woodhouse, et al. 2020. “Mobile Phones and Women's Empowerment in Maasai Communities: How Men Shape Women's Social Relations and Access to Phones.” Journal of Rural Studies 77: 126–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.04.013.
- Tam, H. L., A. Y. Fung Chan, and O. L. Hin Lai. 2020. “Gender Stereotyping and STEM Education: Girls’ Empowerment Through Effective ICT Training in Hong Kong.” Children and Youth Services Review 119: 105624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105624.
- Tornatzky, L., and M. Fleischer. 1990. The Process of Technology Innovation. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
- Tran, Q., C. Zhang, H. Sun, and D. Huang. 2014. “Initial Adoption Versus Institutionalization of E-Procurement in Construction Firms: An Empirical Investigation in Vietnam.” Journal of Global Information Technology Management 17: 91–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2014.928565.
- Ulieru, M. 2011. “WIRED for Innovation: How Information Technology Is Reshaping the Economy.” Computer Journal 54: 304–305. https://doi.org/10.1093/comjnl/bxq071.
10.1093/comjnl/bxq071 Google Scholar
- UN WOMEN. 2018. “Women and Sustainable Development Goals.” In 2018 4th IEEE International Wie Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (IEEE Wiecon-ECE 2018).
- UNDAW. 2005. “Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Through ICT Gender Equality and Empowerment.” Women 2000 and Beyond: Published to Promote the Goals of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action.
- Venkatesh, V., J. D. Shaw, T. A. Sykes, S. F. Wamba, and M. Macharia. 2017. “Networks, Technology, and Entrepreneurship: A Field Quasi-Experiment Among Women in Rural India.” Academy of Management Journal 60: 1709–1740. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2015.0849.
- Venkatesh, V., M. G. Morris, G. B. Davis, and F. D. Davis. 2003. “User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View.” Management Information Systems Quarterly 27: 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540.
- Yu, Y., X. Y. Dong, K. N. Shen, M. Khalifa, and J. X. Hao. 2013. “Strategies, Technologies, and Organizational Learning for Developing Organizational Innovativeness in Emerging Economies.” Journal of Business Research 66: 2507–2514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.05.042.
- Yunis, M., A. Tarhini, and A. Kassar. 2018. “The Role of ICT and Innovation in Enhancing Organizational Performance: The Catalysing Effect of Corporate Entrepreneurship.” Journal of Business Research 88: 344–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2017.12.030.
- Wei, W., T. Sarker, R. Roy, A. Sarkar, and M. Ghulam Rabbany. 2021a. “Women's Empowerment and Their Experience to Food Security in Rural Bangladesh.” Sociology of Health & Illness 43: 971–994.
- Wei, W., T. Sarker, W. Z. Ukiewicz-Sobczak, et al. 2021b. “The Influence of Women's Empowerment on Poverty Reduction in the Rural Areas of Bangladesh: Focus on Health, Education and Living Standard.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18: 6909.
