Peranan dan Perlaksanaan ICT dalam Memperkasakan Usahawan Wanita Luar Bandar di Malaysia.

The fourth industrial revolution era perceives the widespread use of the Internet and it is expected to be the initiators in every aspect of everyday life. Its capabilities in channelling information easily and quickly lead it as an appropriate tool to be utilized in handling problems of poverty in a country. In relation to the efforts of solving issues of poverty, especially in the rural areas, Internet technology can be employed as a tool of intervention to increase competitiveness, to empower and to change the socio-economic status of rural women entrepreneurs. This study was performed to analyse the roles and capabilities of the Internet in assisting and empowering rural women entrepreneurs to increase their socio-economy. This study involved 186 women entrepreneurs who registered with the Pusat Internet Desa (PID) and Medan Info Desa (MID) as the respondents. This study applies a quantitative approach and using a questionnaire in obtaining the respondent's feedback. Results obtained from this study have shown that 90.8 percent of respondents conclude that the internet plays an important role in increasing the monthly income. However, its usage is still low. This is due to the lack of accessibility, skills, locations, and change in individual life styles that are deterring the use of Internet. Strategies focusing on education and skills in the usage of Internet would be able to change the perceptions on the usage of Internet into a more beneficial usage in order to increase the economy of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]