Effects of IT-enabled entrepreneurship on gender equality in a digital economy: Evidence from Qualitative Studies

Persistent digital divides and gendered health inequalities constrain women's participation in the digital economy, even in highly connected contexts like China. This study develops an explanatory framework for how information-technology-enabled entrepreneurship (ITEE) affects women's economic security, health, and capabilities. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach based on 80 interviews in China, the analysis reveals four themes. Capability formation shows how increased income and flexibility allow women to invest in health. Algorithmic exposure highlights the dual nature of platform visibility, boosting sales but also enabling harassment and anxiety. Care negotiation examines how unpaid care duties and infrastructure impact sustainability, showcasing adaptive strategies. Trajectory configuration integrates these into differentiated pathways, from vulnerable to healthenhancing, depending on aligned support. The findings position health centrally in digital capability and link platform governance and care ecologies to sustainable empowerment, suggesting safe platforms, caring support, and integrated policies are essential for women's wellbeing.