Developing and Assessing a Digital Platform for Micro-Entrepreneurship Support

Thesis Abstract

In emerging economies, micro-entrepreneurs constitute a vital segment of the informal sector, yet they face significant barriers in accessing resources, markets, and business development support, often due to limited digital engagement infrastructure. This study addresses the pressing need for a tailored digital platform that enhances micro-entrepreneurship capabilities by providing comprehensive support services, including access to financial information, market linkages, training resources, and peer networking. The primary aim is to develop and empirically evaluate a user-centric digital platform designed specifically for micro-entrepreneurs operating within small-scale urban and peri-urban contexts. The study delineates specific objectives to identify the key needs and barriers faced by micro-entrepreneurs in digital engagement, to design a digital platform aligned with these needs, and to assess the platform’s effectiveness in improving entrepreneurial performance and access to resources. The research adopts a mixed-methods design, integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches. The population comprises 500 registered micro-entrepreneurs within a metropolitan region, selected through stratified random sampling to ensure diversity across sectors such as retail, manufacturing, and services. Data collection instruments include semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions to explore entrepreneurs’ needs and digital literacy levels, complemented by structured questionnaires to quantify baseline knowledge, skills, and resource access. The platform's usability and satisfaction are assessed through user surveys post-implementation. Quantitative data are analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis to determine the impact of platform usage on entrepreneurial outcomes. Qualitative data are subjected to thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s framework, to gain insights into user experiences and contextual challenges. The study hypothesizes that the designed digital platform will significantly enhance micro-entrepreneurs’ access to markets (p < 0.01), improve financial literacy (p < 0.05), and increase revenue generation (p < 0.05). It is also anticipated that user satisfaction levels will be positively correlated with platform engagement. The findings are expected to reveal that a user-centered approach, responsive to the unique constraints of micro-entrepreneurs, can substantially improve digital adaptation and entrepreneurial success rates. The study further expects to identify critical factors influencing platform adoption, including digital literacy, perceived usefulness, and trust in digital services. This research contributes to knowledge by extending the understanding of digital innovation in the informal sector and provides an empirically validated framework for developing effective digital support interventions tailored to micro-entrepreneurs. It also advances theoretical insights by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Diffusion of Innovations Theory to the context of small-scale entrepreneurial support, illustrating how perceived ease of use and relative advantage drive digital adoption in resource-constrained settings. The main conclusion underscores that well-designed, context-specific digital platforms can serve as vital catalysts for economic inclusion and sustainable livelihood enhancement among micro-entrepreneurs. Recommendations include policymakers prioritizing investments in digital literacy programs, creating supportive regulatory environments, and fostering partnerships with technology providers to scale successful digital support models. The study advocates for continuous user feedback mechanisms to refine platform features and sustainability strategies. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts of digital platform adoption on micro-entrepreneurship growth and digital ecosystem integration to inform scalable interventions that address the evolving needs of informal sector entrepreneurs.