Adoption of ICTs by Women Micro-entrepreneurs in Rural Areas - A Study in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Women constitute almost half of the population of India (indiaonlinepages.com) and similar is the case in rural areas. They contribute very significantly for economic development as well as increased per capita output and income. This has more significance to entrepreneurial women when ICT applications have become important for their business growth. Infact, the adaptation to the ICT is not an optional but has become a necessity in all business organisations including micro-enterprises. Therefore, an attempt has been made through a field enquiry to disclose the adoption of ICTs by women micro-entrepreneurs. The study finds that women micro-entrepreneurs are aware about the significance of ICTs for their entrepreneurial development. Among ICTs, mobile phones are prominently used by employing Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media applications. High level of adoption is found among women micro-entrepreneurs in services sector particularly among educated youth and among those who have vocational skill. The entrepreneurs who ventured recently have adopted ICTs to a greater extent than the experienced entrepreneurs. The study concludes with the emphasis on institutional arrangements for non-formal vocational skill training on ICTs to women in general and women micro-entrepreneurs in particular.

Keywords: ICTs, Women Entrepreneurs, Micro Women Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Development, India, Tamil Nadu

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