An analysis of the impact on India's sustainable development resulting from women in small enterprises' Fin-tech and financial awareness during COVID-19 using the (UTAUT) model

Abstract

This research aimed to determine how COVID-19 affected Micro small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) participation in sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their adoption of Fin-tech developing nations like India. Involving women in the workforce through microenterprises is crucial to accomplishing the SDGs, and its subsection is focused on decent work and small industries. Data related to knowledge of digital finance was collected using a convenience sample method. Nonetheless, descriptive research was conducted, and although interesting, no definitive findings could be determined. Women entrepreneurs aged between 25 and 35 years provided input into creating this link based on the United Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) concept. Using SMART-PLS, we found a significant relationship between the UTAUT model of sustainable development and the level of Fin-tech literacy among women in low-income households in developing countries like India. However, we also know that MSMEs’ adoption of Fin-tech and SDG is less tightly linked to the UTUAT model. The trend towards online transactions or digital payments and the widespread adoption of digital technology applications are changing the face of the global economy. The COVID-19 period saw the rise of contactless transactions as the primary payment method. Because of this shift in public opinion, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have begun implementing Fin-tech for long-term growth. People worldwide use it for transactions and other economic functions. However, there is a scarcity of research incorporating this kind of data from India and the rest of the developing world.