The Use of Communication Tools for Small-Scale Businesswomen in Tuticorin Region South East India - Barriers and Enabling Factors

Abstract: India is often considered to be a high tech country; however there are substantial differences in both adaptation and use of new technology between urban and rural areas. Many times women are excluded from the technological development due to social norms and traditions. The use of cell phones in India has increased profoundly in recent years; meanwhile the use of computers spreads at a much lower rate. Still the women are not making full use of these new communication technologies. In order to investigate this, a field study in Tuticorin area in South East India was conducted, where interviews with small-scale businesswomen were carried out. The purpose of this degree project is to investigate the current use of Information and Communication Technologies, ICT, among women in the area in order to assess the value of cell phones and identify barriers for the use of computers as communication tools. The empirical findings show that the four women mainly studied, all used cell phones within their businesses, but to different extents. Using the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing group’s network theory and the resource based 4R-model, we have analysed the current use cell phones as well as barriers and enabling factors for the use of communication technologies. The main barrier for the cell phone use is the ownership issue, limiting the women’s access. For cell phones, low prices and accessible knowledge enable the spread and use, whereas the same factors can create barriers for the use of computers.