Affective Need of ICT in Improving Business Performance among Malay Women Entrepreneur

Abstract

Information Technology and Communication (ICT) industry is actively growing globally. This development also contributes to ICT usage in areas of business that becomes one of the sources in national economic growth. In conjunction with that, Malaysian government has conducted various initiatives in order to support ICT usage in business especially among entrepreneurs. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 becomes the catalyst to a new business environment that based on ICT platform. This study is carried out in order to understand affective need that found in the Uses and Gratification Theory elements in influencing ICT usage among Malay women entrepreneur. Qualitative approach has been used by interviewer profoundly women entrepreneurs around Negeri Sembilan and Bangi. It is found that affective need elements influence ICT usage among informants because it is easy to use, the difference in experience facing by entrepreneurs while using ICT applications and tools as well as the process of delivering fast and easy information. Furthermore, this study also found that informants use ICT in business to improve access to clients and other entrepreneurial partners. Additionally, reliance to ICT becomes something important in increasing business performance to achieve optimum level. This study implicates ICT usage among Malay women entrepreneurs especially to increase digital economy and to prepare for the industrial revolution 4.0.