Bridging The Credit Divide: Empowering Women-Led Msmes Through Mobile Technology in Kerala

This research paper investigates the impact of mobile technology on empowering women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and promoting inclusive entrepreneurial development. The primary emphasis is on how mobile technology enables first-generation women entrepreneurs to become more self-reliant in managing their businesses, improves access to credit and government schemes, promotes financial inclusion, strengthens business networks, and supports the socioeconomic advancement of women in rural Kerala. In addition, the study analyzes the influence of demographic factors on the use of mobile technology among women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. The study was conducted in Idukki, a predominantly rural and high-range district in Kerala, where infrastructural limitations and digital exclusion pose significant challenges to entrepreneurship. Data were collected from 187 first-generation women entrepreneurs through semi-structured interviews, questionnaire surveys, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The data were analyzed using the paired t-test and Garratt ranking method. The findings demonstrate that mobile technology significantly enhances awareness of credit facilities, digital banking usage, and access to government support schemes, thereby contributing to the empowerment of women-led MSMEs. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy, weak mobile infrastructure, and low awareness of financial services continue to hinder progress. The study highlights the transformative role of mobile technology in bridging the credit divide, fostering entrepreneurial inclusion, and supporting the growth of women-led MSMEs in rural settings.