Optimalisasi Peran Perempuan Pelaku UMKM dalam Ekonomi Kreatif Digital Melalui Pengembangan SDM Inklusif dan Berkelanjutan

Abstract

This study examines how women entrepreneurs in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the creative economy sector leverage digital technology to strengthen their roles in the urban tourism ecosystem. Using a qualitative approach supported by secondary data and non-intervention observations over six months in South Jakarta, the study analyzes the dynamics of digital adoption, the cultural value of creative products, and structural barriers affecting women's entrepreneurial experiences. The findings reveal that digital utilization is most prominent on easily accessible platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, while the use of more complex tools, such as marketplaces, websites, and analytics, remains limited. Women’s creative products, in subsectors like culinary, crafts, fashion, and others, prove to enrich the tourism experience and reinforce the city's destination identity. However, low digital literacy, minimal mentoring, and weak integration into the formal tourism supply chain hinder the optimization of these potentials. Additionally, the digital adoption patterns found support the Technology Acceptance Model's explanation that the perceived ease of use is a key factor in early technology adoption. This study fills an important gap in the literature by linking gender issues, digital transformation, the creative economy, and urban tourism within a unified framework. The research emphasizes the importance of strengthening digital capabilities and structured collaboration between women-led MSMEs and tourism stakeholders to enhance the sustainable competitiveness of destinations.