The Use of Technology to Provide Training for Microentrepreneurs in Emerging Economies

Authors

  • Adya Jain United World College of South East Asia
  • Leena Kinger Hans

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v14i1.9076

Keywords:

Microentrepreneurship, Digital Training, SMEs, Emerging Economies

Abstract

This review explores the impact of using technology to provide training for microentrepreneurs in emerging economies, focusing on different training models and their potential to improve business performance. This review analyses the barriers faced by microentrepreneurs in developing countries due to gaps in infrastructure and digital access, as well as the limitations of technology in providing training. In addition, it examines how theoretically different settings might influence the adoption and influence of digital training. Findings reveal that online training tends to have limited positive effects on business performance, largely due to low digital literacy levels among microentrepreneurs. Due to economic and social constraints, female and rural microentrepreneurs are less likely to adopt digital technologies, limiting the impact of digital training on the most vulnerable microentrepreneurs. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References or Bibliography

Allen, R. T., & Choudhury, P. (2022). Algorithm-augmented work and domain experience: The countervailing forces of ability and aversion. Organization Science, 33(1), 149-169. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1050.0178

Aristovnik, A., Karampelas, K., Umek, L., & Ravšelj, D. (2023). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online learning in higher education: a bibliometric analysis. Front. Educ, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1225834

Barros, O., Cabral, S., Lazzarini, S., & Nardi, L. (2024). Lost in automation: The impact of technology-supported training on the performance of small entrepreneurs in underserved regions. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4803222

Brynjolfsson, E., Rock, D., & Syverson, C. (2021). The productivity J-curve: How intangibles complement general purpose technologies. American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, 13(1), 333-372. https://doi.org/10.1257/mac.20180386

Business and Sustainable Development Commission. (2017). Better Business, Better World. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?page=view&type=400&nr=2399&menu=1515

Carranza, E., Dhakal, C., & Love, I. (2018). Female entrepreneurs: How and why are they different? World Bank Group (Jobs Working Paper No.20). https://hdl.handle.net/10986/31004

Cliff, J. E. (1998). Does one size fit all? Exploring the relationship between attitudes towards growth, gender, and business size. Journal of Business Venturing, 13(6), 523-542. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(97)00071-2

Davies, E., Deffebach, P., Iacovone, L., & McKenzie, D. (2024). Training microentrepreneurs over Zoom: Experimental evidence from Mexico. Journal of Development Economics, 167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103244

DeMartino, R., & Barbato, R. (2003). Differences between women and men MBA entrepreneurs: Exploring family flexibility and wealth creation as career motivators. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(6), 815-832. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(03)00003-X

Devaux, A., Bélanger, J., Grand-Clement, S., & Manville, C. (2017). Digital technology's role in enabling skills development for a connected world. RAND Europe. https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PE238.html

Duran, J., & Castillo, R. (2023). Factors related to information and communication technologies adoption in small businesses in Colombia. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-023-00272-5

Eshet, Y. (2004). Digital literacy: A conceptual framework for survival skills in the digital era. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 13(1), 93-106. https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/4793/

Estefan, A., Improta, M., Ordoñez, R., & Winters, P. (2023). Digital training for micro-entrepreneurs: Experimental evidence from Guatemala. The World Bank Economic Review, 38(2), 394-421. https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhad029

Galloway, L., Mochrie, R., & Deakins, D. (2004). ICT‐enabled collectivity as a positive rural business strategy. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 10(4), 247-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552550410544213

Girollet, D. (2023). Digital divides among microenterprises: Evidence from sub‐saharan Africa. Journal of International Development, 36(2), 1350-1380. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3860

Hargittai, E. (2002). Second-level digital divide: Differences in people's online skills. First Monday, 7(4). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v7i4.942

Herrington, M., & Kew, P. (2017). Global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) global report 2016/2017. Global Entrepreneurship Research Association (GERA). https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-2016-2017-global-report

Ilavarasan, P. V. (2019). Present and future of the use and impact of information and communication technology in informal microenterprises: Insights from India. The Electronic Journal of Information Systems In Developing Countries, 85(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/isd2.12091

Jayachandran, S. (2020). Microentrepreneurship in developing countries (working paper). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w26661

Jayachandran, S. (2021). Social norms as a barrier to women’s employment in developing countries. IMF Economic Review, 69, 576-595. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41308-021-00140-w

Kalbfleisch, P. J., & Eckley, V. K. (2003). Facilitating mentoring relationships: The case for new technology. InSITE, 3, 1581-1590. https://doi.org/10.28945/2736

Khera, P. (2023). Digital financial services and inclusion. India’s financial system, 127-157. https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400223525.071

Koo, W. W., & Eesley, C. E. (2020). Platform governance and the rural–urban divide: Sellers' responses to design change. Strategic Management Journal, 42(5), 941-967. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3259

Lall, S. A., Chen, L., & Mason, D. P. (2022). Digital platforms and entrepreneurial support: A field experiment in online mentoring. Small Business Economics, 61, 631-654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-022-00704-8

Loewus, L. (2016, November 8). What is digital literacy? https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-is-digital-literacy/2016/11

Lythreatis, S., Singh, S. K., & El-Kassar, A. (2022). The digital divide: A review and future research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121359

McKenzie, D., & Woodruff, C. (2014). What are we learning from business training and entrepreneurship evaluations around the developing world? The World Bank Research Observer, 29(1), 48-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lkt007

Mehmood, M. Z. (2024). Short messages fall short for micro-entrepreneurs: Experimental evidence from Kenya. https://www.ziamehmood.com/assets/publications/Mehmood_JMP.pdf

Otis, N. G., Clarke, R., Delecourte, S., Holtz, D., & Koning, R. (2023). The uneven impact of generative AI on entrepreneurial performance. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4671369

Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., & Allen, J. P. (2012). Teacher-Student relationships and engagement: Conceptualizing, measuring, and improving the capacity of classroom interactions. In S. L. Christenson, A. L. Reschly, & C. Wylie (Eds.), Handbook of research on student engagement (p. 365–386). Springer Science & Business Media.

Schou, P. K., Bucher, E., & Waldkirch, M. (2021). Entrepreneurial learning in online communities. Small Business Economics, 58, 2087–2108. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00502-8

Singh, K., & Kondan, A. S. (2011). Financial inclusion, development and its determinants: An empirical evidence of Indian states. The Asian Economic Review, 53, 115-134.

Sobir, R. (2020). Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and their role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN-DESA. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26073MSMEs_and_SDGs.pdf

Tinmaz, H., Lee, Y., Fanea-Ivanovici, M., & Baber, H. (2022). A systematic review on digital literacy. Smart Learning Environments, 9, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-022-00204-y

Walsh, M. (2023). Do social concerns affect information-passing about new technologies? https://www.theigc.org/publications/do-social-concerns-affect-information-passing-about-new-technologies

Wiesner, R. (2018). The WiRE program: Advancing women in rural, regional and remote enterprises through entrepreneurship. Final report to the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. University of Southern Queensland.

Published

02-28-2025

How to Cite

Jain, A., & Kinger Hans, L. (2025). The Use of Technology to Provide Training for Microentrepreneurs in Emerging Economies. Journal of Student Research, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.47611/jsrhs.v14i1.9076

Issue

Section

HS Review Articles