Perceived Digital Proficiency and Women's Online Microenterprise in Central Java: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

Women-owned microenterprises constitute a substantial share of MSME activity in Central Java, Indonesia, yet locally grounded evidence on women entrepreneurs’ digital literacy and their online business experiences remains limited. This study examines perceived digital proficiency profiles, platform use patterns, and reported barriers and enabling factors among women engaged in digital microenterprise across five districts of Central Java. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. A structured survey was administered to 112 women purposively sampled from cooperative and MSME networks. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently conducted with 18 respondents selected to further examine patterns identified in the survey data. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics; interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Descriptive findings indicate moderate average perceived digital proficiency scores with pronounced variation across education and age groups. Patterns also indicate more diversified platform use among respondents with higher perceived digital proficiency scores. Four interview themes were identified: self-taught incremental skill acquisition; household time and permission constraints; peer-network enabling; and unmet demand for sustained skills support. These themes offer contextual interpretations of the survey patterns and are consistent with broader evidence from Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The study provides locally grounded contextual, policy-informing insights for regional development planning in Central Java, while reflecting patterns observed in a purposively selected sample of digitally active women entrepreneurs.