Bridging Tradition and Technology: The Impact of Wasta, Asabiyyah, and Islamic Fintech Self-Efficacy on Women’s Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Women’s entrepreneurial orientation is critical for inclusive economic development, yet in conservative contexts like Saudi Arabia, institutional and cultural constraints, such as patriarchal norms, social fragmentation, and limited financial access, pose significant barriers. This study examines how Wasta- and ʿAsabiyyah-based collective entrepreneurship, combined with Islamic Fintech Self-Efficacy (IFSE), can serve as counter-institutional mechanisms to support women’s entrepreneurial engagement. A composite questionnaire, refined through expert panel discussions, was administered to women entrepreneurs. Moderated serial mediation analysis using SPSS AMOS 28 revealed that Islamic fintech platforms rooted in community trust networks (e.g., crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and Shariah-compliant digital finance) enhance women’s confidence and financial access. IFSE emerged as a key mediator, enabling women to convert informal social capital into actionable, tech-enabled entrepreneurial behavior. Findings highlight the potential of integrating digital Islamic financial tools with culturally embedded support systems to overcome gendered institutional barriers. The study contributes to theories of gendered entrepreneurship and fintech inclusion, suggests managerial implications, and offers policy insights for building inclusive, gender-responsive financial ecosystems aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. Implications for future research are discussed, particularly concerning the scalability and sustainability of Islamic fintech as a development tool in similar socio-cultural environments.