At CBISS (Centre for Business Innovation & Sustainable Solutions), we are interested in how innovation shapes real lives — not just markets. Our members explore how digital tools, entrepreneurship, and new ways of working affect people’s well-being, equality, and everyday experiences. This commitment is reflected in new research by CBISS member Dr Melina Doargajudhur, which looks at the hidden realities of digital entrepreneurship for women.

For many women running small businesses, a smartphone is more than just a device. It is their office, their diary, their marketing team, and their customer service desk — all rolled into one.  This is the everyday reality explored in a new study, recently published in the leading journal Gender, Work & Organization. The research looks at women entrepreneurs in Mauritius and asks a simple but powerful question: what really happens when personal technology becomes essential for running a business?

A story many women recognise

Imagine replying to customer messages while cooking dinner. Sending invoices while helping children with homework. Checking orders late at night because you don’t want to lose a client.

For the women interviewed in this study, this wasn’t unusual — it was normal.

Using personal phones and laptops allowed them to start and grow businesses with very limited resources. Buying separate work equipment was often too expensive, so their own devices became the practical solution. Technology offered flexibility, lower costs, and faster responses to customers. In many cases, it made entrepreneurship possible in the first place.

The upside: freedom and opportunity

The women in the study described clear benefits:

• They could work anytime and anywhere

• They saved money by using devices they already owned

• They responded more quickly to customers

• They felt more independent and confident as business owners

For many, technology was empowering. It helped them keep businesses running while managing family responsibilities — something especially important in contexts where women still carry most caregiving duties.

The downside: never switching off

But there was another side to the story.

Being constantly connected meant work never really ended. Messages arrived during family time, late at night, and even on weekends. Many women spoke about feeling always on, emotionally drained, and unable to fully disconnect.

Because business and family life happened on the same device, boundaries slowly disappeared. Work crept into home life, increasing stress and exhaustion. Several women also worried about data security, technical problems, and having no one to turn to when something went wrong.

In short, the same technology that created opportunity also created pressure.

Why gender matters

This study shows that these challenges are not just about technology — they are about gender.

Women entrepreneurs often carry expectations to be available at home while also being responsive at work. When technology enables constant access, those expectations intensify. The burden of juggling roles becomes heavier, not lighter.

The research reminds us that digital tools do not automatically create equality. Without the right support, they can quietly reinforce existing inequalities.

What needs to change?

The key message from this research is clear: access to technology is not enough.

Women entrepreneurs also need:

• Practical technical support

• Guidance on managing digital boundaries

• Training on security and device management

• Policies that recognise care responsibilities and well-being

When support systems are in place, technology can truly help women thrive — not just survive — as entrepreneurs.

Why this research matters

By listening directly to women’s lived experiences, this study sheds light on the human side of digital entrepreneurship. It challenges the idea that technology is always a simple solution and shows why well-being must be part of conversations about innovation, productivity, and growth.

As digital work becomes the norm worldwide, these insights matter far beyond Mauritius.

Sometimes, progress isn’t just about going faster — it’s about making sure people don’t burn out along the way.