Identifier

etd-06182013-122929

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Human Resource Education and Workforce Development

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the extent of use and access of emerging technology in business and different characteristics that motivate entrepreneurial women in the United States to generate business ideas and/or foam businesses. Based on a literature review, Use and Access of emerging technology was conceptualized as repeated or perceived behavior emanating from using emerging technology as well as knowledge of the technology. A new instrument Emerging Technology Entrepreneur Survey was developed and administered online to 283 entrepreneurial women who had provided usable emails in the Women in Business Program seminar event. The final response count was 40 representing a 14.13% response rate. Based on the studies interpretive scale women entrepreneurs were high users of emerging technologies. There were significant differences in the use of technology mean score based on highest level of education completed and the employment status. No significant differences in use of emerging technology mean score was observed based on gender, ethnicity, and marital status. There was also no significant differences in perceived use of emerging technology mean score based on the given demographic variables. However, differences between demographic variables based on the perceived use of technology and actual use of technology were observed. A binary logistic regression model predicted the absence of business idea generation and or business formation based on the categorical variable use of technology. Nevertheless, the model indicated that increased use of technology leads to increased odds of generating a business idea as well as creating a business when all other factors are controlled. The study concludes that women are using emerging technologies as the to go to sources for information and this in essence may lead to solving problems while at the same time positively affecting business idea generation as well as business formation.

Date

2013

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Machtmes, Krisanna

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.2517

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