Title: Socio-technical innovation by female entrepreneurs: evidence from the Jordanian tourism sector

Authors: Areej Shabib Aloudat; Kimberly Gleason; Hala Bashbsheh; Baker Ahmad Abdullah Alserhan; Jusuf Zeqiri

Addresses: Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan ' American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE ' Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan ' King Talal Business School, Princess Sumaya University of Technology, Amman, Jordan ' Faculty of Business and Economics, South East European University, Tetovo, North Macedonia

Abstract: In this paper, we explore the role of female entrepreneurs in socio-technical innovation in the context of the Jordanian tourism sector. Using a qualitative research approach, we investigate how these entrepreneurs innovate, transforming the perception of conservative societies perspective on women entrepreneurs. We document five forms of socio-technical innovation achieved by Jordanian female entrepreneurs in the tourism sector: cultural/societal, economic, stewardship, sectoral and personal. The paper provides interesting insights on women entrepreneurs as innovators in the tourism industry by documenting what they consider to be their most important innovations.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; socio-technical innovation; transformation; social change; innovation; women; tourism industry; less developed countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2023.133765

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2023 Vol.15 No.4, pp.329 - 345

Received: 12 Jul 2022
Accepted: 14 Jul 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2023 *

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