Title: Exploring Ghanaian women entrepreneur's internet usage

Authors: Murat Sakir Erogul; Fanny Adams Quagrainie; Afia Dentaa Dankwa; Alan Kabalan

Addresses: Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Adelphi University, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY, 11530, USA ' Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, P.O. Box AH 50, Achimota, Accra, Ghana ' Institute of Development Studies, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana ' Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract: In this paper, we examine the lack of technological knowledge and adaption to evolving technologies as factors influencing sustainable internet usage among women small businesses. Accordingly, it is important to unearth internal and external factors critical for small business sustainable internet usage. Against this background, research questions seek to extend knowledge about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of sustainable internet usage. We employ a mixed method approach, utilising both purposive sampling of 221 female participants. Through thematic and multi-regression models, we analyse the data. Contrary to expectations, the impact of strength and opportunities on the likelihood of sustaining internet usage are not significant whereas weaknesses and threats may facilitate sustainable internet usage. Implications of the paper encourage sustainable internet usage in Ghana, while policymakers should emphasise access to education and technological knowledge, especially addressing cultural issues that affect women entrepreneurship as well as the provision of skills necessary to take advantage of opportunities offered by internet usage.

Keywords: internet usage; women; small business; Ghana; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIEM.2019.103217

International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management, 2019 Vol.9 No.2, pp.127 - 143

Received: 12 Oct 2018
Accepted: 10 May 2019
Published online: 22 Oct 2019 *

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