Digital Inclusion Pathways for Women Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan: The Mediating Role of Digital Self-Efficacy and Access Readiness
List of Authors
Mertenova Yenlik, Ooi Kok Loang
Keyword
Digital Inclusion; Women Entrepreneurs; Digital Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy; Digital Literacy; Entrepreneurial Intention
Abstract
The fast-growing digital economy is full of potential for women entrepreneurs but the digital access, skills, and confidence gaps persist to be the obstacles to women’s digital entrepreneurship, particularly in the case of Kazakhstan and other emerging economies. Our study aims to analyze the pathways of digital inclusion on women’s intention to create digital ventures, mainly emphasizing the mediating effect of digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy. The research is based on Social Cognitive Theory and explores the impact of digital literacy courses, mentorship and networking schemes, and the perceived accessibility of digital finance tools to women’s business plans. Using a quantitative approach, structured questionnaires were administered to women potential and early-stage entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan. It is critical that the findings testify that the provision of digital infrastructure and supportive ecosystems raise digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy, with the result that women’s inclination towards digital venture creation is strengthened. The study contributes to the existing literature on gender, digital inclusion, and entrepreneurship by both theoretical (unveiling the psychological and structural reasons of digital entrepreneurship) and practical implications (offering recommendations to policymakers, educators, and development agencies that aim to promote economic growth through including digital business).