TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AMONG FEMALE OWNED SMES IN TURKEY

This study aims to explore the technology adoption among female SME owners in Turkey, utilizing the Individual Differences Theory (IDT) as the main theoretical framework. Adapting IDT, was originally developed for women working in IT sectors to the entrepreneurships context expanded the theory to include unique experiences of women entrepreneurs in technology adoption. Understanding these individual identity, individual influence and environmental factors shaping the technology adoption of female SME owners will contribute to existing policies and support programs regarding female entrepreneurs. 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 female SME owners and 7 experts. Using a combination of inductive and deductive methods, a thematic analysis was carried out to uncover the common themes and characteristics of female SME owners, as well as environmental factors affecting their technology adoption. The analysis shows that women can react differently to similar factors. They can overcome factors such as age and socio-economic background through characteristics like resilience and confidence. However, all participants are dependent on factors such as family support and financial resources. Also, the analysis showed that women value technologies that would serve society. Policy-makers should take these unique characteristics of women into account and follow strategies to reposition them as their strengths. This way women can be pioneers in areas such as green transition and waste utilization. Also, end to end support with an aim to fix the problems within the entrepreneurship system as a whole should be prioritised over positive discrimination, which should be directed to rural areas with deeper issues.