Digital technologies and female-led small and medium-sized enterprises: a possible new growth area

This chapter examines how digital technologies affect the expansion of female-led SMEs. Several researchers have shown the difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs. Women-owned firms are smaller than male-owned ones in terms of sales, assets and number of employees; have difficult relationships with credit institutions because women usually tend to be more risk-averse and less self-confident than men. Networks of female-owned businesses are weaker and more informal than men’s, and women face time constraints imposed by family responsibilities. Digital technologies can increase the outcomes of women’s business by providing access to market, including international ones, and facilitating interactions and cooperation with customers and partners. Through the case studies of female companies placed in both traditional and high-technology sectors, this research aims to understand under what conditions the use of digital technologies may represent a chance to develop a competitive, customized, and sustainable busines model. Limitations and policy implications are discussed.