Women participation in digital entrepreneurship: a case study of Gauteng Province in South Africa
Date
2021
Authors
Phelane, Elsie
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Abstract
South Africa is a developing economy that carries the potential to increase economic activity through digital technologies. Digital entrepreneurship has the potential to influence job creation with it slow barriers to and ease of entry into the marketplace. With this in mind, the aim of this research was to analyse the participation of women in digital entrepreneurship in Gauteng Province. The study was guided by the ontological philosophy that seeks to answer the research questions. A qualitative purposive online self-administered survey with open ended questions method was used. The software NVivo was used for data analysis to determine the factors that affect entrepreneurial activity and digital ecosystem characteristics in Gauteng and the challenges that women face in participating in digital entrepreneurship. The study findings indicate that women in Gauteng participate in digital entrepreneurship, with most of the women respondents running 100% women-owned companies or having 51% or greater ownership of the companies. The cost of data in South Africa is still a hindrance to participation in the digital economy. according The South African entrepreneurial ecosystem is conducive to new entrants to the system in terms of the policies that are currently available and a digital marketplace. The challenges and barriers that are faced by the women entrepreneurs can be overcome by these entrepreneurs utilising available digital socio-technical enablers such as mentors and networks
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in Digital Business), 2021
Keywords
Digital Ecosystems, Women Participation, Digital Entrepreneurship