Technology adoption among women entrepreneurs of the Global South: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Abstract

Purpose – The review study aims to reveal the pathway, more specifically barriers, enablers and impact of technology adoption, among women entrepreneurs of the Global South. We analyzed the existing literature to provide insights and recommendations for future research. Design/methodology/approach – PreferredReporting Itemsfor SystematicReview and Meta-Analysis and the theories, contexts, characteristics and methods (TCCM) frameworks are used to analyze 73 peer-reviewed journal articles indexed in Scopus, published between January 2014 and June 6, 2025. Findings – Socio-cultural constraints, inadequate infrastructure, skill and literacy gaps and limited access and affordability hinder technology adoption among women entrepreneurs in the Global South. Enablers include capacity-building,supportsystems and facilitating conditionsthatstrengthen women’s capability of technology adoption. Consequently, the improvements in market access, income stability and empowerment are visible. However, online harassment, platform dependence, risk of cyber fraud, etc. are the emerging concerns. Practical implications – The barriers, enablers and impacts are integrated into a capability pathway (contextual conditions→ barriers and enablers→ mediating mechanism→ adoption→ outcome→ feedback), which can guide researchers, policymakers, institutions and governments of the Global South to design interventions that target not only skills and infrastructure but also safety, household constraints and institutional supports. Originality/value – This study advances understandings about technology adoption among women and explains why adoption trajectories and outcomes differ for women entrepreneurs in the context of the Global South.