E-SAM and power of podcasts: advancing inclusive leadership and women’s entrepreneurship in developing economies

Purpose This study identifies three variables–lack of market access, limited knowledge, and weak support systems–that contribute to the disproportionate challenges women business owners face. By integrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) considerations, the study highlights how digital platforms like data podcasts can provide scalable, inclusive solutions. Design/methodology/approach Entrepreneurship skill analysis model (E-SAM) to analyze social enterprises to develop an understanding of the systems and processes they adopt. Findings The study offers strategic guidance for policymakers and stakeholders to pilot inclusive policies that empower women entrepreneurs in resource-constrained environments. To this purpose, we propose a range of interventions for each practical solution, from the lightest touch to the most involved, to provide the government with a means of piloting and refining its policy design and implementation strategies before rolling them out on a larger scale. Practical implications From a policy and implementation perspective, E-SAM acts as a policy sandbox that allows governments, NGOs, and funding agencies to simulate and pre-test various interventions before scaling them in real-world contexts. The model’s performance (92.0%) and efficiency (94.1%) scores demonstrate that even modest investments–such as training, capital support or DEI-driven governance–can yield significant growth and sustainability for women-led enterprises. Practitioners can use E-SAM to design sector-specific programs, assess the cost-effectiveness of entrepreneurship schemes, and identify high-leverage intervention points. For instance, public-private partnerships can be tailored to the types of enterprises most affected by knowledge gaps or market disconnects, as reflected in simulation outputs. Additionally, digital podcasting can be integrated into incubation and skill development programs as a cost-effective tool to foster engagement, community legitimacy and scalable mentorship in remote or underserved areas. Social implications The E-SAM model contributes meaningfully to social transformation by addressing the deeply rooted structural inequalities that limit women’s entrepreneurial agency in developing economies. By simulating the decision-making processes of women entrepreneurs under constraints such as limited market access, weak social networks and institutional barriers, the model highlights how exclusion is both systemic and solvable. For example, when social capital interventions are introduced in the simulation, women’s involvement rates increase by over 35%, underscoring the power of collective support and peer learning. Moreover, the integration of data podcasting into the E-SAM framework offers a culturally relevant and scalable tool for information dissemination, mentorship and digital literacy. Podcasts, as localized narrative platforms, reduce informational asymmetry and build confidence among first-generation women entrepreneurs. This aligns strongly with SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) by democratizing access to entrepreneurial knowledge and expanding pathways for advocacy and visibility. Originality/value No previous studies available on the podcast and women entrepreneurs.