Exploring digital access and digital engagement of senior small business owners

This study explores the digital access and digital engagement among senior small business owners (SBO), addressing a gap in the literature which has predominantly focused on general population rather than SBOs in a particular age group (60 years old or older). Utilizing the Resources and Appropriation theory, we examine survey data collected from senior SBOs in San Antonio, the seventh largest city in U.S. This study advances existing research by providing an in-depth analysis of how socioeconomic and demographic factors uniquely shape digital engagement and business revenue outcomes among senior SBOs, a largely understudied group. By integrating the Resources and Appropriation (RA) theory, our findings reveal that beyond business characteristics, key structural inequalities such as race, ethnicity, education, and household income, profoundly influence revenue expectations as well as digital engagement levels via digital access and appropriation. Leveraging Partial Least Squares-Path Modeling (PLS-PM), we demonstrate that not only access but also the motivations for internet use are critical determinants of digital engagement among senior SBOs. These insights challenge the assumption that digital disparities are merely generational and instead underscore the systemic barriers that hinder full participation in the digital economy. Our findings make a compelling case for targeted interventions, including expanded broadband access and tailored digital literacy training, to foster economic resilience and equitable growth for senior SBOs in an increasingly digital business landscape.