SOCIO-CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO ICT INTEGRATION A MULTI-LAYERED ANALYSIS OF WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The study investigates the challenges and influences of socio-cultural and institutional obstacles that affect the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among female entrepreneurs in Pakistan and their growth as entrepreneurs. Using a survey that included 400 women entrepreneurs from six cities in Pakistan, the research applies Structural Equation Modeling to assess how restrictive gender norms, low digital literacy, childcare responsibilities, lack of government support, and financial obstacles impede ICT adoption by women entrepreneurs. According to the findings, socio-cultural barriers (β = -0.42), institutional barriers (β = -0.35), and low digital literacy (β = -0.45) all strongly impact the adoption of ICTs. Still, ICT is found to have a positive effect on expanding in the market (β = 0.32), financial performance (β = 0.28), and innovation capability (β = 0.30). Digital social capital (β = 0.28) and digital confidence (β = 0.25) play a role in shaping the relationship between ICT adoption and business performance by helping women make use of online support and their own confidence when facing problems. The research adds gender-specific elements to the Technology-Organization-Environment framework, the Technology Acceptance Model, and Institutional Theory.