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VOL. 12, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Women-led enterprises on social media platforms in West Bengal: Digital literacy and formalization intentions
Authors
Dr. Bidisha Sarkar Datta, Sramana Maiti
Abstract
Women-led enterprises operating through social
media platforms have increasingly become an important pathway for economic
participation and livelihood generation in West Bengal. Beyond income
generation, these platforms provide opportunities for women to establish
independent identities, expand social networks, and engage more actively in
entrepreneurial spaces. Despite these opportunities, women entrepreneurs
continue to encounter several structural and institutional barriers that
influence business growth and their willingness toward formalization. Drawing
on primary data collected from 299 women entrepreneurs based on interim
findings from an ongoing ICSSR-supported research project, this paper examines
the major constraints experienced in digital entrepreneurship and identifies
the factors shaping formalization intentions. Exploratory Factor Analysis and
Binary Logistic Regression were employed to explore underlying patterns and
determinants. The findings reveal three broad dimensions of barriers, namely
Personal, Infrastructural and Market Challenges, Confidence and Knowledge Gap,
and Financial Constraints. While socio-demographic factors show limited
influence, digital literacy emerges as the strongest determinant of willingness
toward formalization. The findings emphasize the need for strengthening digital
skills and supportive mechanisms to foster women-led entrepreneurship and
promote more inclusive digital development in West Bengal.
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Pages:169-173
How to cite this article:
Dr. Bidisha Sarkar Datta, Sramana Maiti "Women-led enterprises on social media platforms in West Bengal: Digital literacy and formalization intentions". International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, Vol 12, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 169-173
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