Overcoming Barriers to Technology Adoption When Fostering Entrepreneurship Among the Poor: The Role of Technology and Digital Literacy



View results in:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9102422
DOI: 
10.1109/TEM.2020.2989740
ISSN: 
0018-9391
Provider: 
Licensing of resource: 
Rights subject to owner's permission
Type: 
journal article
Journal: 
IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
Pages: 
1605 - 1618
Volume: 
68
Author(s): 
Neumeyer, X.
Santos, S. C.
Morris.M.
Publisher(s): 
Description: 

The adoption of new technologies can contribute to both efficiency and effectiveness and is a key source of long-term competitive advantage in entrepreneurial ventures. This is particularly relevant for poverty entrepreneurs. However, the literature on technology adoption and use in the poverty context is sparse, and is predominantly focused on developing economies. The current article seeks to address these shortcomings. We identify critical areas of typical ventures launched by the poor that are affected by technology. Attention is devoted to understanding technology as a product versus a process and what this distinction means for poverty entrepreneurs. We introduce a conceptual framework linking technology and digital literacy, technology adoption, and absorptive capacity to venture inputs and outputs. Dynamic interactions among these variables are explored. Implications for theory development and management practice, together with recommendations for future research, are provided.

Publication year: 
2020
Keywords: 
Capacity building
poverty alleviation
technology literacy
absorptive capacity