Abstract: The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies is increasingly pervading entrepreneurial ecosystems globally and is creating new avenues for some entrepreneurs to engage with markets. The present study investigates how AI-based business ecosystems are transforming the opportunities and barriers faced by Malayali women entrepreneurs. Using a multi-stage sampling approach, data has been collected from 380 respondents through structured questionnaire, the study employs a Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach to analyze how AI-enabled business ecosystems influence the transformation of opportunities and barriers by introducing AI adoption, digital literacy, fintech, network expansion, institutional support, cultural norms and entrepreneurial outcomes as endogenous constructs. The findings support high measurement validity and good model fit but show that AI adoption does not lead to increased digital literacy or fintech access. While these results are initially surprising given what we know about the potential of technology and AI to boost skills, they highlight that more work is needed to truly leverage technology for development. A decline in network size as AI adoption increases also suggests that depending more on technology may mean less social capital creation. Results further show that digital literacy negatively affects innovation, institutional support and cultural norms encouraging AI adoption had no significant direct effect on AI adoption. The findings advance the research literature on the multi-dimensional nature of the digital gender divide, highlighting interactions between technological, social, and institutional dynamics. The results have important implications for decision makers and practitioners hoping to create sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging markets.
Keywords: AI-enabled business ecosystems; Digital gender divide; Women entrepreneurship; Digital literacy; Fintech access; Network expansion; Innovation; Sustainability.
Title: Bridging the Digital Gender Divide: How AI-Enabled Business Ecosystems Transform Barriers and Opportunities for Malayali Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets
Author: RAJI BABY, Dr. S. LATHA
International Journal of Management and Commerce Innovations
ISSN 2348-7585 (Online)
Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026
Page No: 291-302
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 05-May-2026
