Abstract
The advancing pace of women's entrepreneurial activity across the globe represents a promising trend to fuel economic development and social progress (Fitzsimons & O'Gorman, 2005). Research has shown that women-led businesses have strong growth aspirations, are customer-oriented, value human capital and cultural aspects of business and are geared towards financial performance (McGowan & Henry, 2004). Analysis of the reasons why women start a new business, the choice of product/service and industry sector has highlighted the home-based female entrepreneur. This home worker/entrepreneur now constitutes a segment referred to as the mompreneurs - the mothers who decide primarily for family reasons to leave paid employment and establish a business operated from home. Thus, while mompreneurs gain benefits of operating their business from home, they also experience additional challenges not encountered by more traditional female entrepreneurs, one such issue is the central dependence of the business on ICT (Information Communications Technology). It is advocated that the role of technology is instrumental in determining the effectiveness and efficiency of where, when and how business transactions are undertaken to meet stakeholder requirements in a competitive manner. However, research by the Small Business Forum (2006) suggest the use and application of ICT in small firms overall is poor where entrepreneurs do not capitalise sufficiently on the benefits of ICT. To succeed and grow, mompreneurs' businesses should be using ICT as a backbone for the business in an integrated manner. The objective of this chapter is to examine the adoption and application of ICT in the mompreneurs business and challenges encountered in its effective use. A specific emphasis is placed on the issue of ICT and its use by the mompreneur in undertaking business transactions and as a means of facilitating small firm growth.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Small and Medium Enterprises |
Subtitle of host publication | Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications |
Publisher | IGI Global |
Pages | 322-339 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Volume | 1 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781466638877 |
ISBN (Print) | 1466638869, 9781466638860 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Apr 2013 |