Digitisation and Women Architect Entrepreneurs in the PCMC Area: A Secondary Data-Based Exploratory Study of Opportunities and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66635/a6dfe858Keywords:
Women entrepreneurship, Digitisation, Architectural practice, Digital adoption, Business performance, PCMCAbstract
Digital technologies are transforming architectural practice by reshaping design delivery, visualisation, client communication, and business operations. In this evolving professional environment, women architect entrepreneurs encounter both expanded opportunities and emerging barriers linked to digital adoption. This study examines the impact of digitisation on opportunities and challenges faced by women architect entrepreneurs in the PCMC area. It adopts a secondary data-supported exploratory approach and draws on scholarly literature, institutional sources, and industry evidence related to digital transformation, architectural practice, and women entrepreneurship. The findings indicate that digitisation supports professional visibility, client engagement, design presentation, operational efficiency, market reach, and flexible work practices. Tools like CAD, 3D visualisation software, digital marketing platforms, online communication systems, and virtual collaboration tools help women-led architectural practices improve competitiveness and business responsiveness. The study also shows that advanced digital adoption remains limited due to high software costs, inadequate technical training, rapid technological change, limited institutional awareness, and weak access to structured support systems. The study emphasises the need for affordable software access, targeted digital skill development, mentorship, professional networking platforms, and stronger policy outreach. It contributes to business and management literature by linking digitisation, gender, entrepreneurship, and professional service performance within a rapidly urbanising regional context.
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