Navigating the Digital Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: An Integrative Analysis of Empowerment, Role Dilemma, and Private Domain Entrepreneurship Among Chinese Women

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technology has fundamentally reshaped the entrepreneurial landscape, giving rise to complex digital entrepreneurial ecosystem. While digital entrepreneurship is often presented as a means of empowering women, its actual impact remains debated. By integrating social role theory (SRT), this study constructs and applies an integrated Gender–Technology–Entrepreneurship (GTE) framework. Through a grounded theory (GT) analysis of in-depth interviews with seven Chinese women digital entrepreneurs, this study examines the dual role of digital technology in simultaneously enabling and constraining their enterprises. Our findings reveal that digital technology functions as both an empowerment amplifier and a constraint mechanism. We further identify digital private domain entrepreneurship (DPDE) as a strategic adaptation. It involves constructing sustainable sub-ecosystems by leveraging privatized user relationships and emotional capital. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interplay between gender, technology, and entrepreneurship. It also offers practical insights for entrepreneurs and policymakers aiming to foster sustainable digital ecosystems.