Role of Digital Technology in Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: A Study of Selected Women-Owned Businesses in Ahmedabad City
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Abstract
This study examines the role of digital technology in empowering women entrepreneurs, focusing on selected women-owned businesses in Ahmedabad City. Despite their growing participation in the economy, women face socio-cultural and operational barriers. The primary objectives are to assess the adoption levels of digital tools (social media, digital payments, e-commerce) and to analyze their impact on women's multi-dimensional empowerment. Utilizing a simple random sampling technique, data was gathered from 150 women-owned micro and small enterprises via a structured questionnaire. Statistical data analysis, including descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression, was conducted to test the relationships. The descriptive results show that digital payments have the highest adoption level among women entrepreneurs, followed closely by social media marketing, while full e-commerce platforms see relatively lower integration. The regression analysis reveals that all three digital technologies have a statistically significant positive impact on the overall empowerment score of women entrepreneurs, with digital payment tools emerging as the strongest predictor of financial autonomy and control. The study concludes that digital technology acts as a vital catalyst for economic and psychological empowerment, and recommends targeted digital literacy programs and policy support to bridge the digital gender divide in urban environments.
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