Perceived Employability and Gender Disparities in a Crisis: The Roles of ICT Use and Marital Status

ABSTRACT In an increasingly digital world, understanding the relationship among information and communication technologies (ICTs), gender, marital status, and employability is crucial for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly, gender equality. Disruptive crises, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, pose significant challenges to this goal. This study examines the impact of ICT use and gender on low perceived employability during the pandemic, as well as the moderating effects of gender and marital status. Using data from 586 respondents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), including students and workers, this study reveals that ICT use reduces low perceived employability, whereas being a woman is associated with greater perceived employability challenges. However, neither gender nor marital status was found to moderate the relationship between ICT use and perceived employability. This study contributes to research on gender equality, digitalization, and employability, providing evidence that while ICT use can enhance perceived employability during crises, women continue to face greater obstacles. These findings support the SDGs and provide valuable insights for managers, human resource management practitioners, and policymakers in promoting more inclusive and equitable workplaces.