International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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Digital Literacy and Technology Adoption Among Women Entrepreneurs in Indian MSMEs: A Rural-Urban Comparative Analysis

Author(s) Ms. Roushan Parween
Country India
Abstract The paper examines how digital literacy has a different effect on the adoption of technology among women entrepreneurs in Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) between rural and urban areas. The combined rise in digital infrastructure and women entrepreneurship in India is a critical point at which the role of space as a mediator of digital inclusion can be studied. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, 400 women entrepreneurs in four Indian states (Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha) were interviewed on a quantitative scale, then were interviewed on 40 in-depth interviews and 8 focus group discussions. The results demonstrate the existence of a strong rural-urban dichotomy in the level of the digital literacy and the pattern of technology adoption. Urban entrepreneurs proved to be more strategically digitally literate and deployed more advanced technologies whereas rural entrepreneurs displayed impressive flexibility of application of simple tools despite the lack of the necessary infrastructures. The regression analysis has revealed the internet access quality (b =.42, p <.01), involvement in specific digital skilling (b=.38, p<.01), and the membership of an entrepreneurial network (b=.31, p<.05) to be significant predictors of adoption. It is concluded that the digital inclusion policies that are in place in India need more spatial sensitivity and gender sensitivity in order to close the digital divide. Expanding on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model to introduce the spatial and gendered aspect, this study provides understanding of this theory and practical guidance on how to bring about inclusive digital transformation in an emerging economy.
Keywords Digital Literacy, Technology Adoption, Women Entrepreneurs, Rural-Urban Divide, Gender and Technology, Digital Inclusion.
Field Sociology > Banking / Finance
Published In Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On 2026-01-17
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.66744
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