Effects of Digital Marketing on the Sustainability and Competitiveness of Women’s Enterprises in the Canton of Jama, 2025
Abstract
Introduction: Digital marketing has become a key tool for the visibility and growth of small enterprises, particularly in historically marginalized territories such as Jama canton, located on the Ecuadorian coast. This study analyzes the effects of digital tools on economic sustainability, perceived competitiveness, and job creation among women-led rural ventures in 2025. Using a descriptive-correlational cross-sectional design, data were collected from 163 women entrepreneurs through structured and open-ended surveys, allowing for both quantitative analysis and qualitative interpretation.
Findings reveal a high adoption of accessible tools such as WhatsApp, but also expose disparities in usage frequency, profitability levels, and reinvestment capacity. Significant relationships were observed between digital marketing usage and key variables such as content publication frequency and perceived competitiveness. However, this perception does not always translate into structural business growth or employment expansion. The study underscores the need for integrated programs that combine digital literacy, financial education, and context-sensitive territorial support with a gender perspective.
This research offers a humanized lens on rural women’s entrepreneurship and calls for a redefinition of traditional economic success indicators. It advocates for a broader understanding of sustainability, rooted in well-being, autonomy, and the collective dynamics of women in Jama.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mercy Maribel Mejía Cevallos, Ana Katherine Palacios Dueñas, Janira Lorena Garcés Chica, Holger Stalin Rosales Reyna

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