Acceptance, absorption, and application of information and communication technology among women micro entrepreneurs through community-based trainings in Indonesia

Abstract

One of the challenges faced by women micro entrepreneurs in running their business is the limited capacity to apply Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The challenge escalates by the emergence of the Covid-19 Pandemic which forces them to turn to ICTin marketing and selling their products. To improve the women entrepreneur's’ ICT skill, the government and some practitioners conduct community-based trainings (CBTs) to introduce and teach ICT-based programs and applications to woman micro-entrepreneurs. This study discusses the role of these community-based trainings on ICT to women micro-entrepreneurs on the level of their acceptance of, absorption to and applications of the technology. Data were collected through participant observations by observing participants of the ICT trainings, and in-depth interviews to five women micro-entrepreneurs who joint the trainings. This study found that the participants perceived that ICT trainings moderate the perceived difficulties in understanding ICT and motivate them to use the ICT in their business practices. Furthermore, some respondents perceive that the acquired ICT materials and skills can increase their business performance.