Title: The influence of gender on the adoption of technology among SMEs

Authors: Barbara J. Orser; Allan Riding

Addresses: Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, 55 Laurier Ave., E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada ' Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, 55 Laurier Ave., E, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract: This study explores the influence of gender on adoption of information technology (IT) among owners of small firms. In the small firm context, owner-managers are central to decision-making, including IT adoption. This potentially allows gender-related factors to influence the IT adoption decision. Accordingly, the research literature associated with female business owners is used to comment conceptually on gender-related factors subsumed among accepted antecedents of IT adoption decisions. Empirical findings are based on 21 key informant interviews. The study documents numerous perceived gender-related influences embedded within IT adoption among owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises, such that women are less likely than men to adopt IT. The implications for research, policy and practice are discussed.

Keywords: gender; women entrepreneurs; information technology; technology adoption model; digital competencies; ICT; IT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2018.090341

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2018 Vol.33 No.4, pp.514 - 531

Received: 01 Aug 2016
Accepted: 18 Jan 2017
Published online: 13 Mar 2018 *

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