EMPOWERING CROSS-BORDER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS VIA MOBILE ICT: FRAMEWORK FOR MALAYSIAN AND INDONESIAN WOMEN-LED MSMES

Abstract

Women’s share in the business sector in Malaysia and Indonesia lags behind their male counterpart. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) could serve as a game changer to empower women startup and entrepreneurs. The acceptance and usage of Mobile ICT in business operations could empower more women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to grow and fulfill customer needs and wants. However, there is a lack of established models to measure mobile ICT’s role in women MSMEs in these developing countries. Through the review of policy papers and relevant literatures, this study presents a framework to assess the adoption of Mobile ICT in women-led MSMEs factoring cross-border networking. Building upon Social Network Theory and Technology Acceptance Model, this study presents a framework and discusses recommendations for further action to empower women-led MSMEs in both countries by leveraging on cross-border networking capabilities between Indonesian and Malaysian women-led MSMEs. This study highlights the strength of international and cross-border networking among women startup and entrepreneurs where mentoring could happen to empower women startups and entrepreneurs.   Keywords: Mobile ICT usage, women empowerment, MSMEs development, workforce digitization, cross-border entrepreneurship, social network theory, startups.   Cite as: Tanti, D. S., Nathan, R. J., Sulistyo, P. B., Soekmawati, Hanim, F., & Sarjuni, V. (2021). Empowering cross-border women entrepreneurs via mobile ICT: Framework for Malaysian and Indonesian women-led MSMEs.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(2), 340-357. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp340-357