Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have greatly benefited from digital technology platforms, enabling entrepreneurs to connect directly with suppliers and buyers, fostering efficient communication and expanding market reach. These platforms equip SMEs with tools and resources to compete with larger...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Economics & Finance |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2461337 |
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| author | Madhukara Nayak Pushparaj M. Nayak Harisha G. Joshi |
| author_facet | Madhukara Nayak Pushparaj M. Nayak Harisha G. Joshi |
| author_sort | Madhukara Nayak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have greatly benefited from digital technology platforms, enabling entrepreneurs to connect directly with suppliers and buyers, fostering efficient communication and expanding market reach. These platforms equip SMEs with tools and resources to compete with larger organizations, driving innovation and growth. This study examines the role of age, gender, and education as moderators in the adoption of digital platforms by SME entrepreneurs in India. A theoretical model, grounded in existing literature, was tested using PLS-SEM with a sample of 700 startup entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that adopting digital platforms significantly impacts the antecedents of SME entrepreneurship intention, which in turn strongly influence the intention to adopt these platforms. The proposed model explains 63% of the variance in adoption intention. The study also highlights how demographic moderators shape digital adoption, offering insights into the evolving profile of SME entrepreneurs. These results provide valuable guidance for policymakers, business owners, and academics in shaping strategies to support SMEs in a rapidly digitalizing business environment. This research contributes to understanding the interplay between demographic factors and digital platform adoption, aiding stakeholders in fostering SME growth and innovation through targeted interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ab7b1ec3ffe04390b53bcce655a8867e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2332-2039 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Economics & Finance |
| spelling | doaj-art-ab7b1ec3ffe04390b53bcce655a8867e2025-02-07T07:45:02ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Economics & Finance2332-20392025-12-0113110.1080/23322039.2025.2461337Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviourMadhukara Nayak0Pushparaj M. Nayak1Harisha G. Joshi2Department of Mechanical Engineering, Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Bantakal, IndiaDepartment of Commerce, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal, Manipal, IndiaDepartment of Commerce, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal, Manipal, IndiaSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) have greatly benefited from digital technology platforms, enabling entrepreneurs to connect directly with suppliers and buyers, fostering efficient communication and expanding market reach. These platforms equip SMEs with tools and resources to compete with larger organizations, driving innovation and growth. This study examines the role of age, gender, and education as moderators in the adoption of digital platforms by SME entrepreneurs in India. A theoretical model, grounded in existing literature, was tested using PLS-SEM with a sample of 700 startup entrepreneurs. The findings indicate that adopting digital platforms significantly impacts the antecedents of SME entrepreneurship intention, which in turn strongly influence the intention to adopt these platforms. The proposed model explains 63% of the variance in adoption intention. The study also highlights how demographic moderators shape digital adoption, offering insights into the evolving profile of SME entrepreneurs. These results provide valuable guidance for policymakers, business owners, and academics in shaping strategies to support SMEs in a rapidly digitalizing business environment. This research contributes to understanding the interplay between demographic factors and digital platform adoption, aiding stakeholders in fostering SME growth and innovation through targeted interventions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2461337SMEsentrepreneurshipdigitalizationentrepreneurial intentiontheory of planned behaviourIndia (studies of) |
| spellingShingle | Madhukara Nayak Pushparaj M. Nayak Harisha G. Joshi Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour Cogent Economics & Finance SMEs entrepreneurship digitalization entrepreneurial intention theory of planned behaviour India (studies of) |
| title | Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour |
| title_full | Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour |
| title_fullStr | Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour |
| title_short | Digital platforms’ use in SMEs – A critical analysis of entrepreneurs’ behaviour |
| title_sort | digital platforms use in smes a critical analysis of entrepreneurs behaviour |
| topic | SMEs entrepreneurship digitalization entrepreneurial intention theory of planned behaviour India (studies of) |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2461337 |
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