When access is not enough: digital inclusion, structural inequity and entrepreneurial frustration among women in Jordan

Purpose This study investigates how digital resource access influences entrepreneurial frustration and trust in institutional support among women entrepreneurs in Jordan. It examines the mediating role of perceived structural inequity and the moderating role of digital literacy self-efficacy. Design/methodology/approach A purposive sample of 280 women entrepreneurs across Jordan was initially recruited through partnerships with local entrepreneurship centers, women-led NGOs and digital innovation hubs. After two phases of data collection and cleaning, 198 valid responses were retained. Data were gathered using structured survey instruments administered online via Qualtrics. In the first phase, participants completed measures of digital resource access, perceived structural inequity and digital literacy self-efficacy. Three weeks later, a second phase captured responses on entrepreneurial frustration and trust in institutional support. This time-lagged, two-wave design reduced common method bias. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze mediation and moderation effects. Findings Digital resource access was positively associated with both entrepreneurial frustration and perceived structural inequity. Perceived structural inequity mediated the effects of access on frustration and institutional trust. Digital literacy self-efficacy moderated the relationship between access and structural inequity, with stronger effects for those with lower self-efficacy. Research limitations/implications The study focuses on one country and uses self-reported, cross-sectional data. Future research should include comparative or longitudinal designs and explore intersecting variables such as socioeconomic status or rural–urban divides. Practical implications Policymakers and support organizations must avoid overemphasizing digital access as a standalone solution. Interventions should integrate gender-sensitive policy reforms, transparent resource allocation and confidence-building in digital literacy. Without systemic changes, digital access may reinforce, rather than reduce, women’s sense of exclusion. Originality/value This study advances the literature on digital inclusion and gendered entrepreneurship by identifying perceived structural inequity as a key mediating mechanism. It also highlights the role of self-efficacy in shaping the psychological and institutional outcomes of digital engagement among women in the Global South.