1Department of Public Management and Economics, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, ML Sultan Campus, PO Box: 1334, Durban, 4001, Republic of South Africa
2Professor of Economics, Department of Public Management and Economics, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, ML Sultan Campus, PO Box: 1334, Durban, 4001, Republic of South Africa
(*Corresponding Author) ravinder.rena@gmail.com, ravinderr@dut.ac.za
In the contemporary digital world, the internet is the most extensively used medium for connecting individuals and organisations; nevertheless, high speed internet coverage is still lacking in rural areas. Understanding how developing rural entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal province are using modern technology and how it affects their ability to extend their marketing capacities is the significance of this study.
A closed-ended questionnaire served as the main instrument for gathering data for this study, which employed a non-probability, convenient sampling strategy to achieve its goals. The data from this research will broaden our understanding of the ways in which modern technology influences rural entrepreneurship and shed light on the variables that influence how successful these technologies are when applied.
The study’s conclusions imply that several factors limit rural entrepreneurship and the ability to use modern technology. The employment of modern technology has been shown to be hampered by expensive internet costs, limited funding, and unreliable internet connectivity.
The empirical results of this study and the literature review indicate that there are too many restrictions pertaining to SMMEs and their compliance with government regulators, therefore it is recommended that the South African government review the laws and policies that govern small enterprises.
Entrepreneurship, rural entrepreneurs, modern technology, infrastructure
