Gender and Intersectionality in the Digital Transformation of MSMEs in Indonesia: Enablers and Challenges from a Scoping Review Perspective

Ahmad Nizar Yogatama; Prayogo Kusumaryoko; Hamdani; Jamaluddin; Agus Hermawan; Puji Handayati

doi:10.55927/ijis.v4i4.152

Authors

Ahmad Nizar Yogatama Universitas Negeri Malang
Prayogo Kusumaryoko Universitas Negeri Malang
Hamdani Universitas Negeri Malang
Jamaluddin Universitas Negeri Malang
Agus Hermawan Universitas Negeri Malang
Puji Handayati Universitas Negeri Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/ijis.v4i4.152

Keywords:

Gender, Intersectionality, Digital Transformation, MSMEs, Indonesia

Abstract

The digital transformation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly for actors from vulnerable and marginalized groups. This scoping review explores how gender and intersectionality are addressed in the digitalization of Indonesian MSMEs by systematically mapping peer-reviewed literature published between 2013 and 2025. Guided by the PRISMA-ScR protocol and drawing on Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage framework, the review examines enablers and barriers to digital inclusion, with a specific focus on women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. A total of 45 studies were included, categorized into four thematic clusters: Crisis & Resilience, Digital Transformation, Women Entrepreneurship, and Other. The findings reveal that while enabling factors—such as community support, civil society initiatives, and financial literacy programs—are increasingly recognized, persistent challenges including structural inequality, digital illiteracy, and gendered norms remain under-addressed. Moreover, although gender is frequently mentioned, intersectionality is rarely employed as a formal analytical lens. This review identifies critical research gaps and calls for a more intentional application of intersectional frameworks in future studies and policy design to ensure that digital transformation in the MSME sector is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to social diversity

References

Alam, K., Ali, M. A., Erdiaw-Kwasie, M. O., Murray, P. A., & Wiesner, R. (2022). Digital transformation among SMEs: Does gender matter? Sustainability, 14(1), 535.

Al-shami, S. A., Damayanti, R., Adil, H., Farhi, F., & Al mamun, A. (2024). Financial and digital financial literacy through social media use towards financial inclusion among batik small enterprises in Indonesia. Heliyon, 10(15), e34902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34902

Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616

Bacasmas, J. A. V., Carlos, J. C. T., & Katigbak, J. J. P. (2022). E-commerce adoption and its impact on the performance of women-led MSMEs in Metro Manila: An ex-ante study for RCEP. PIDS Discussion Paper Series. https://www.econstor.eu/handle/10419/256885

Bahagijo, S., Prasetyo, Y. E., Kawuryan, D., Tua, B., & Eridani, A. D. (2022). Closing the digital gender gap in Indonesia through the roles and initiatives of civil society organizations. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, 21(1), 14–38.

Budianto, V. (2023). 11 Indonesia’s social protection landscape: Women, exclusion and deservingness in social assistance. In A. Bexley, S. X. Dong, & D. Setyonaluri (Eds.), Gender Equality and Diversity in Indonesia (pp. 205–221). ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1355/9789815104561-017

Caputo, F., Fiano, F., Riso, T., Romano, M., & Maalaoui, A. (2022). Digital platforms and international performance of Italian SMEs: An exploitation-based overview. International Marketing Review, 39(3), 568–585.

Chakravarty, S., Mishra, A., & Banerjee, S. (2023). Intersectional Approaches to Promote Gender Equality. https://t20ind.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Intersectional-Approaches-For-GenderEquality.pdf

Coco, N., Colapinto, C., & Finotto, V. (2024). Fostering digital literacy among small and micro‐enterprises: Digital transformation as an open and guided innovation process. R&D Management, 54(1), 118–136. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12645

Crenshaw, K. W. (2013). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. In The public nature of private violence (pp. 93–118). Routledge.

Ebrahim, C., Jack, A., & Jones, L. (2021). Women’s economic empowerment and COVID-19: The case of vulnerable women with intersectional identities in Indonesia and Vietnam. Enterprise Development & Microfinance, 1, 44–56.

Fauzi, A., Adrianto, L., & Wahyudin, Y. (2024). Developing Marine Tourism Policy Pathways: The Case of Super Priority Marine Tourism Destinations in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. International Journal of Sustainable Development & Planning, 19(10).

Gordon, N. P., & Hornbrook, M. C. (2016). Differences in access to and preferences for using patient portals and other eHealth technologies based on race, ethnicity, and age: A database and survey study of seniors in a large health plan. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(3), e50.

Hendratmi, A., Agustina, T. S., Sukmaningrum, P. S., & Widayanti, M. A. (2022). Livelihood strategies of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Heliyon, 8(9), e10520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10520

Heriqbaldi, U., Esquivias, M. A., Samudro, B. R., & Widodo, W. (2023). Do National Export Promotion Programs in Indonesia support export competitiveness? Heliyon, 9(6), e16918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16918

Junarsin, E., Pelawi, R. Y., Kristanto, J., Marcelin, I., & Pelawi, J. B. (2023). Does fintech lending expansion disturb financial system stability? Evidence from Indonesia. Heliyon, 9(9), e18384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18384

Kurniadi, A., Sudarmiatin, S., & Wardana, L. W. (2024). THE ROLE OF MSMES IN LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT AND LABOR ABSORPTION IN INDONESIA. Nusantara Economics and Entrepreneurships Journals, 333–341.

Lalal, N., Mishal, S., Padhi, A., Sharma, A., Audhkhasi, A., Arora, P., Jain, A., Sharma, D., Das, B., & Bhagwani, P. (2022). Eco-Anxiety: Impact on generation Z’s mental health and the contemporary significance of environmental awareness and education. International Journal of Policy Sciences and Law, 2(02”), 3313–3331.

Levac, D., Colquhoun, H., & O’Brien, K. K. (2010). Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology. Implementation Science, 5(1), 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69

Maksum, A., Prastiwi, J. H., & Puspitosari, W. A. (2022). The Power Relation of Rural Governments in Developing Indonesian “Unicorn Village”: Study Case in Sleman and Badung. Proceedings of the First Australian International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 866–877. https://ieomsociety.org/proceedings/2022australia/199.pdf

Mollik, M. A., & Ananna, A. K. (2024). The impact of globalization on technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Bangladeshi market. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/864699

Muhammad, H., Fitriani, L., Chalong, T., & Prattana, S. (2025). Government Support, Business Environment, and Entrepreneurial Intent: A Cross-National Study of MSMEs in Indonesia and Thailand.

Nugraha, M. V. A., & Lubis, A. F. (2024). Assessing the Influence of Social Justice Movements on Public Policy and Community Empowerment in Indonesia. The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights, 3(01), 1–9.

Ochinanwata, J., & Ochinanwata, N. (2023). The Impact of Digital Platforms on SMEs’ Development and Performance. In R. E. Hinson, D. A. Odame, E. K. Adae, & K. Adom (Eds.), Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development in Africa (pp. 179–194). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37675-7_8

Pachauri, S., & Verma, R. K. (Eds.). (2023). Transforming Unequal Gender Relations in India and Beyond: An Intersectional Perspective on Challenges and Opportunities. Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4086-8

Prasetya, D., Djamhari, E. A., Ramdlaningrum, H., Layyinah, A., Wahyu, M. F. R., Harja, I. T., Aidha, C. N., & Indrayanti, K. R. (2022). Disability Groups in the Workplace: Conditions and Challenges in Indonesia as a G20 Country. https://repository.theprakarsa.org/pt/publications/410054/disability-groups-in-the-workplace-conditions-and-challenges-in-indonesia-as-a-g

Sahiwal, T. K., & Gupta, J. K. (2025). Women at the Crossroads of Climate Change: Advancing Gender Equality Through Climate Action. In Gender, Environment, and Human Rights: An Intersectional Exploration (pp. 177–210). IGI Global. https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/women-at-the-crossroads-of-climate-change/358266

Sanders, A., Khatarina, J., Assegaf, R., Toumbourou, T., Kurniasih, H., & Suwarso, R. (2024). The Omnibus Law on Job Creation and its potential implications for rural youth and future farming in Indonesia. Asia Pacific Viewpoint, 65(2), 248–262. https://doi.org/10.1111/apv.12408

Suminah, S., Suwarto, S., Sugihardjo, S., Anantanyu, S., & Padmaningrum, D. (2022). Determinants of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprise performers’ income during the Covid-19 pandemic era. Heliyon, 8(7), e09875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09875

Tekola, H., & Gidey, Y. (2019). Contributions of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to income generation, employment and GDP: Case study Ethiopia. Journal of Sustainable Development, 12(3), 46–81.

Tran Van Hai, T. (2022). Effect of gender and regions on determinants of digital transformation adoption in creative services. Quality-Access to Success. https://publikace.k.utb.cz/handle/10563/1010828

Woldesenbet Beta, K., Mwila, N. K., & Ogunmokun, O. (2024). A review of and future research agenda on women entrepreneurship in Africa. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 30(4), 1041–1092.

Yaumidin, U. K. (2021). Is the Virus Gender Neutral? The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreaks on Women’s Entrepreneurship Development in Indonesia. Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

Zhang, H., Zheng, S., & Zhu, P. (2024). Why are Indonesian consumers buying on live streaming platforms? Research on consumer perceived value theory. Heliyon, 10(13), e33518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33518