Gender differences in the usage of information and communication technologies (ICT): The case for entrepreneurs in Bangladesh

Abstract

The paper attempts to investigate the gender differences in ICT usage, professed system attributes, and entrepreneurial traits among entrepreneurs of Bangladesh. The study was done on 200 entrepreneurs through structured questionnaire. We adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in this study to examine the differences in professed usefulness, professed user friendliness, and ICT usage between male and female entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Results show that male entrepreneurs are more flexible and persevering as compared to female entrepreneurs. Mean perceptions of system's usefulness and user friendliness are significantly higher for female entrepreneurs than for males. Risk-taking propensity is an important technology usage determinant among female entrepreneurs but not among males. Innovativeness is associated with usage by both entrepreneurs. There is a strong impact of professed usefulness on system usage by male and female entrepreneurs. There is no significant association between professed user friendliness and usage. Overall ICT usage, usage of basic and advanced systems, and systems usage for administrative, planning, and control purposes do not differ based on gender. Such findings led to some implications on the basis of which lastly several recommendations are made.