From FinTech to inclusion: government support, digital literacy and gender gaps in entrepreneurship

Résumé fourni par la source

Purpose This study examines whether FinTech development reduces or exacerbates the gender gap in entrepreneurship and identifies the institutional and human capital conditions under which FinTech promotes inclusive entrepreneurial outcomes for women. Specifically, the study seeks to determine whether FinTech advancement contributes to narrowing or widening gender disparities in entrepreneurship participation. Furthermore, the study determines how government support and digital literacy moderate this relationship. By integrating technological, institutional, and human-capital perspectives, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms through which FinTech ecosystems can promote more inclusive entrepreneurial environments. Design/methodology/approach Using a cross-country sample of 41 economies from the Global FinTech Index and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) (Findexable, 2021) over the period 2022–2023, the study employs panel data techniques, including fixed-effects and two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimations, to address endogeneity and unobserved heterogeneity. The female-to-male total entrepreneurial activity (TEA) ratio is used to capture gender disparities in entrepreneurship. Findings The results reveal that FinTech development is associated with a lower female-to-male entrepreneurial activity ratio (TEA), suggesting that FinTech may initially widen the gender gap. However, this negative relationship is significantly moderated by government support and female digital literacy. In environments with strong institutional support and higher digital capabilities among women, FinTech contributes to more inclusive entrepreneurial participation. Research limitations/implications The study relies on country-level indicators from 2022 to 2023 for complex constructs such as digital literacy and government support and focuses on countries included in the Global FinTech Index, which may limit generalizability. Practical implications The findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive FinTech policies, including targeted government interventions, regulatory frameworks and digital literacy programs tailored to women. Policymakers should complement FinTech expansion with investments in institutional quality and human capital to ensure inclusive outcomes. Regulators can use the results to align FinTech governance frameworks with inclusive development objectives. International development agencies and FinTech stakeholders can apply the findings to design gender inclusive financial instruments that specifically empower women. Ultimately, this research offers actionable guidance for designing FinTech-enabled entrepreneurial environments where technological innovation translates into equitable opportunity. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by resolving conflicting evidence on the inclusiveness of FinTech. It develops an integrated framework combining institutional theory and human capital theory to show that FinTech's impact on gender equality in entrepreneurship is conditional rather than universal. The study provides novel cross-country evidence demonstrating that FinTech can reinforce or reduce gender disparities depending on governance quality and digital capabilities.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.