Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The rapid development of digital information technology and e-government has drawn increasing attention to public digital literacy and e-government participation in China. This study investigates the impact of digital literacy on e-government usage behavior among rural women by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A robust survey was conducted with 1,082 valid questionnaires collected from rural women in Shaanxi Province, China, and the data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that digital literacy significantly enhances perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) of e-government services, which in turn strengthen both usage intention and actual behavior. Specifically, PU and PEU mediate the relationship between digital literacy and e-government usage intention, and multigroup analysis indicates that education level moderates the influence of PU and PEU on e-government usage intention. These findings underscore the importance of improving digital literacy among rural women to facilitate effective e-government participation, and they provide practical policy recommendations to support the digital transformation of rural public services.

Plain language summary

This study investigates how digital literacy influences rural women’s participation in China’s e-government services by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Through a survey of 1,082 rural women in Shaanxi Province, China, this study found that higher digital literacy strengthens perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) of e-government services, which in turn drive both intention to use and actual adoption of these services. Education level further shapes this relationship: women with more education rely more heavily on their perceptions of PU and PEU when deciding to engage with e-government. The findings highlight the urgent need to improve rural women’s digital literacy through targeted training and user-friendly platform designs, ensuring equitable access to digital public services and supporting China’s broader rural digital transformation goals.

Keywords

rural women digital literacy e-government e-government usage behavior digital divide

Introduction

Digital gender divides remain a significant challenge in many developing countries, with evidence showing that the gap has widened in recent years (Galperin & Arcidiacono, 2021; United Nations, 2019). The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022 by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association further highlights this trend, showing that the gender gap in mobile internet access has increased since 2021, partly due to slower growth in mobile internet usage among females in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC; Global System for Mobile Communications Association, 2022; Sun & Zhou, 2022). Previous studies have also revealed substantial gender inequalities in the use and accessibility of e-government services (Acilar, 2020; Choi & Park, 2013; Macaya et al., 2021), emphasizing the importance of examining how digital literacy affects e-government usage behavior.

Electronic Government (E-government) aims to utilize information and communication technologies (ICT) to improve government operations and public services, thereby enhancing government effectiveness, service delivery, and promoting social development and democratic governance (Yan & Lyu, 2023). In China, significant progress has been made in e-government, as reflected in the United Nations e-Government Survey, which shows China’s rise in e-government ranking from 78th in 2012 to 43rd out of 193 United Nations Member States in 2022 (United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2022). Government information and public services in China have been integrated through strengthened digital infrastructure and the creation of a comprehensive national government service platform. This platform enables citizens and businesses to complete administrative procedures online (Zhu et al., 2024). Consequently, government services have become more accurate and efficient, information disclosure and transparency have increased, and the business environment has improved (Magalhaes & Roseira, 2020).

Nevertheless, China’s e-government development continues to face challenges (Bisogno & Donatella, 2022; Ma & Wu, 2020). Disparities in internet access and digital technology utilization persist across regions and demographic groups, and rural residents generally have lower digital literacy compared to urban areas (Sun & Zhang, 2023). Vulnerable groups also face barriers in accessing e-government services (Wang & Chen, 2012). Multiple factors, including technological foundations and digital literacy, affect the utilization of e-government (Li et al., 2021). Rural residents’ insufficient knowledge, habits, and skills regarding internet-based township government services hinder their effective use of e-government services, presenting obstacles to the digital transformation of rural public services (Salemink et al., 2017). Thus, improving rural residents’ willingness and ability to engage with e-government requires a focus on their digital literacy (Duan & Dong, 2025).

Digital literacy is a crucial skill for adapting to the rapid transformations of the digital era (McGinty et al., 2024). According to the 51st Statistical Report on Internet Development in China by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), rural internet users comprised only 28.9% of the total urban and rural internet user population by December 2022, significantly affecting farmers’ awareness and ability to use e-government services. Existing literature has explored the interaction between digital literacy and e-government usage behavior (Abdulkareem & Ramli, 2021; Perez-Morote et al., 2020), but there is a dearth of empirical research analyzing the mechanisms by which rural women’s digital literacy affects their e-government usage behavior from the perspective of the gender digital divide.

Based on the above analysis, this study investigates whether and how digital literacy affects e-government usage intention and behavior. Anchoring our investigation in the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989), we focus on rural women as the subjects of interest. Through questionnaires collected in the western provinces of China, we examine the relationship between rural women’s digital literacy and their e-government usage behavior, explore the mediating role of perceived usefulness and ease of use, construct a theoretical model and research hypotheses, and conduct empirical tests.

Following this introduction, the next section provides a comprehensive literature review and theoretical framework. The subsequent section outlines our research model and hypotheses. Section “Research Method” describes the questionnaire design and data collection process. Section “Results of Data Analysis” presents the data analysis outcomes, structural modeling, and exploration of mediating effects and multi-group analyses. Finally, our findings, theoretical contributions, policy recommendations, and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Literature Review and Theoretical Background

Rural Women’s Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the skill to comprehend and utilize information in various formats from diverse sources (Asmayawati et al., 2024). Recent research has expanded from focusing on individuals’ basic digital skills, digital socialization, and creativity to specialized literacy across specific subject areas and security ethics (Su & Peng, 2022). The term “digital literacy” was first introduced by Israeli scholar Yoram Eshet-Alkalai in 1994, who defined it as “the reading and writing abilities required to comprehend digital information resources” (Lankshear & Knobel, 2008). Subsequently, many scholars have enriched the concept. Gilster (1997) described it as the ability to retrieve, understand, apply, and critique digital information. Tabusum et al. (2014) further expanded it to include digital communication and social literacy.

The digital literacy framework encompasses a range of competencies and skills necessary for educational and professional life in a digital society. Eshet-Alkalai (2004) developed a digital literacy framework encompassing five major aspects: photo-visual literacy, reproduction literacy, branching literacy, information literacy, and socio-emotional literacy. In 2006, the European Union identified digital competence as a key skill for citizens, leading to the development of the DigComp framework (Ferrari, 2013). This framework was introduced in 2013 and refined into DigComp 2.0 and 2.1 in 2016 and 2017 (Carretero et al., 2017; Ferrari, 2013). UNESCO developed the Digital Literacy Global Framework to establish a standardized methodology for measuring digital literacy skills worldwide, particularly in support of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 4.4.2, which focuses on the proficiency of youth and adults in digital literacy (Law et al., 2018).

The concept of farmers’ digital literacy includes their ability and inclination to engage with new digital media, emphasizing the use of digital tools in agriculture and daily life (Duan & Dong, 2025; Jang et al., 2021). Studies indicate that farmers’ digital access remains limited, and their digital awareness and literacy levels are generally low in many countries, including China (Duan & Dong, 2025; Marshall et al., 2020). Enhancing digital literacy has shown significant positive effects on farmers’ participation in digital governance and entrepreneurial activities, thereby reducing relative poverty (Bai et al., 2023; Li et al., 2023). Efforts to improve farmers’ digital literacy emphasize the importance of digital education and the collaborative participation of government, operators, internet enterprises, and social organizations (Long et al., 2023).

Mobile and internet usage can significantly benefit women, particularly in education, health, and public participation (David & Phillips, 2023). For rural women, digital literacy empowers them through information technology in production, reproduction, and social development (Bu & Cai, 2023), and serves as a key factor in stimulating their intention and behavior to use e-government services (Duan & Dong, 2025).

E-Government Usage Behavior

Although e-government services are widely accessible, limited understanding of the factors restricting their use, prevents citizens and governments from fully benefiting from their potential (Nguyen et al., 2024). Some scholars suggest that organizational characteristics affecting e-government adoption include red tape and corruption (Barki & Titah, 2006). Dimitrova & Chen (2006) examined the factors affecting e-government usage behavior among the U.S. public, categorizing them into four dimensions: demographic characteristics, psychological dispositions, civic awareness, and information channels. Shareef et al. (2011) examined the influencing factors of different types of e-government adoption across five dimensions: attitude towards use, ability to use, security of use, continuous use, and adaptability to use. Liang and Lu (2013), and Susanto and Goodwin (2013) categorized respondents into existing users (including early and recent users) and potential users (those who have never used the system), exploring how innovation characteristics and social norms influenced the online tax filing system among Taiwanese individuals. Additional research has focused on identifying motives that result in acceptance and intention to use e-government services (Seo & Bernsen, 2016).

Until now, the factors influencing citizens’ acceptance of e-government services in developing countries have received insufficient attention (Nguyen et al., 2024). China’s urbanization process has enhanced internet access for rural residents, enabling rural women to engage more actively in digital life and e-government services through information technology and mobile government platforms (Duan & Dong, 2025; Liu et al., 2024). Online social media have provided rural women with communication channels, enhancing their voice in public affairs and participation in digital rural governance (Zhu et al., 2022). It is urgent to explore how rural women’s digital literacy affects their digital government usage behavior.

Technology Acceptance Model

The research on the adoption of IS and IT traces its origins to the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Building upon the constructs established by TRA, Davis (1989) developed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM places a strong emphasis on the pivotal roles of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) in determining users’ acceptance of new technology. PEU indicates how simple a person considers a specific system to operate, and PU indicates how much a person believes utilizing a particular system will enhance his or her performance at work (Davis, 1989). The TAM suggests that system using behavior is influenced by intention to use. Their attitude toward using and PU determine this intention to use, while PU and PEU collectively shape their attitude toward using, and PU is jointly determined by PEU and external variables, while PEU is determined by external variables (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Technology acceptance model.

The TAM has received widespread attention since its proposal, with many scholars extending and validating the initial technology acceptance model, and some scholars have noted the TAM’s limitations in terms of scalability and explanatory power (Benbasat & Barki, 2007). For example, that external variables enhance the ability of the TAM to predict technology acceptance by expanding external factors by combining other factors, including the target technology, users, and the environment (Moon & Kim, 2001), which sheds light on the research in this article.

Research Model and Hypotheses

In light of the TAM, we incorporated digital literacy (DL), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), e-government use intention (YX), and e-government usage behavior (EGUB) into the theoretical framework, where digital literacy was used as an external variable, and attitudes toward using and intention to use were incorporated into e-government use intention (behavioral intention), which in turn led to the theoretical analysis framework and research hypotheses of this study (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Theoretical analysis framework.

Direct Effect

E-government contributes to transparency, accountability, and good governance (Lin et al., 2011). China has vigorously promoted e-government construction over the past few years, and e-government services have become increasingly prevalent in areas such as medical care and community services, better responding to citizens’ needs through online channels (Chen et al., 2023). Despite the digital maturity achieved in public services, the extent to which people can harness the benefits of the digital era hinges on their knowledge and ability to use digital services, that is, individual digital literacy (Abdulkareem & Ramli, 2021; Idoughi & Abdelhakim, 2018). Research has shown that low digital literacy, often triggered by the generally low education level of rural residents, is a primary obstacle to the digital transformation of rural public services in central and western China (Duan & Dong, 2025). Rural women are a key group in the construction of digital villages. As digital government initiatives progress, the digital literacy level of rural women significantly influences their participation in e-government, playing a crucial role in achieving the objectives of digital government (Duan & Dong, 2025). Consequently, we posit the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 1. Rural women’s digital literacy has a positive effect on their e-government usage behavior.

Theoretically, the TAM explains user behavior through PU and PEU (Davis, 1989). PU describes how rural women perceive the usefulness of e-government in their productive lives. E-government can provide rural women with facilitated online public services related to maternity policy, insurance assistance, employment training, and more (Soni & Mitchell, 2022). The construction of digital villages also offers them more opportunities for role change (Huang et al., 2024). However, this requires rural women to actively integrate into the digital era, and use the internet to improve their digital literacy and skills in accepting e-government, thus enhancing their perception of the usefulness of e-government (Duan & Dong, 2025). Research has demonstrated that individual’s self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, perceived trust, and subjective norms significantly contribute to their willingness to use e-government (Alruwaie et al., 2020; Susanto & Aljoza, 2015). Therefore, a heightened perception of the usefulness of e-government services among rural women translates into a stronger intention to use these services. Thus, we posit the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 2a. Rural women’s digital literacy has a positive effect on their PU.

Hypothesis 2b. Rural women’s PU has a positive effect on their intention to use e-government.

PEU refers to the degree of difficulty rural women perceive in using e-government platforms. The digital era requires rural women to improve their digital literacy and acquire basic knowledge of digital tools and technologies to better operate digital software, use digital public services, and participate in digital activities (Duan & Dong, 2025). The higher the digital literacy of rural women, the greater their PEU of using e-government will be. Moreover, the development of digital government services, such as government APPs and government WeChat apps, has made it easy for rural women to handle relevant matters quickly and conveniently. This user-friendliness enhances their PU of e-government (Singh & Sinha, 2020). As technical barriers to e-government access diminish, individual’s experiences with e-government improve, thereby increasing their PEU (Khan et al., 2021; Nguyen et al., 2024). This subjective perception affects their inclination to use e-government and their corresponding behavior (Susanto & Aljoza, 2015). Therefore, rural women’s intention to use e-government platforms is positively correlated with their PEU of e-government, and we posit the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 3a. Rural women’s digital literacy has a positive effect on their PEU.

Hypothesis 3b. Rural women’s PEU has a positive effect on their PU of e-government.

Hypothesis 3c. Rural women’s PEU has a positive effect on their intention to use e-government.

According to the TAM, system usage behavior is contingent upon behavioral intention (Davis, 1989). E-government usage behavior involves a dynamic process encompassing users’ initial willingness to accept e-government systems, their actual usage behavior, and their continued willingness to use these systems. Many e-government adoption studies consider willingness to use as an endpoint because the intention to use e-government is easier to measure (Hooda et al., 2022; Huang & Kao, 2015). However, users’ intention to use e-government is not equivalent to actual usage behavior. It may be influenced by digital literacy, digital skills, and other factors, and may not directly translate into actual usage behavior (Duan & Dong, 2025). The value of e-government services is realized through actual usage behavior (Hooda et al., 2022). Therefore, this study considers rural women’s e-government usage behavior as the endpoint, with intention to use as a robust predictor of actual usage behavior (Venkatesh et al., 2003). Based on this, we assume the following hypothesis:

Hypothesis 4. The intention of rural women to use e-government has a positive effect on their actual usage behavior.

Mediating Effect

According to the TAM and the direct relationships among the variables, rural women’s perceptions and intention to use digital technology and e-government are essential prerequisites for adopting e-government services. When rural women perceive e-government as useful, their willingness to use these services increases (Duan & Dong, 2025). Digital literacy influences their intention to use e-government through PU. As rural women’s digital literacy improves, their PEU of e-government interfaces and functionalities also enhances, leading to increased usage of e-government services. Additionally, digital literacy indirectly affects intention through PEU. A greater perception of ease of use boosts individual’s confidence in utilizing e-government services (Susanto & Aljoza, 2015). If rural women believe that e-government is user-friendly and can effectively address their needs, their intention to use it is strengthened. Essentially, rural women’s PEU impacts their intention to use e-government through PU. Furthermore, digital literacy affects PU via PEU, and PEU influences e-government intention through PU. Therefore, we propose the following hypotheses:

Hypothesis 5a. PU mediates the association between rural women’s digital literacy and their e-government use intentions.

Hypothesis 5b. PEU mediates the association between rural women’s digital literacy and their e-government use intention.

Hypothesis 5c. PEU mediates the association between rural women’s digital literacy and their PU.

Hypothesis 5d. PU mediates the association between PEU and e-government use intention.

Hypothesis 5e. PEU and PU act as chain mediators between rural women’s digital literacy and e-government use intention.

Research Method

Research Instrument and Data Collection

This study adopts a cross-sectional survey approach to examine all target constructs within a specific timeframe (Maier et al., 2023). The target population comprises women aged 18 to 60 who have resided in rural areas for an extended period. A combination of stratified and non-probability sampling was used, with convenience sampling as the primary method for participant selection. The use of convenience sampling was primarily driven by the practical constraints of accessing a dispersed rural population. This method allowed for efficient data collection within the timeframe and resource limitations, facilitating a broad and diverse representation of rural women across different regions. However, as a non-probability sampling technique, it may limit the generalizability of findings due to potential selection bias (Bornstein et al., 2013; Jager et al., 2017). To mitigate this concern, stratified sampling was incorporated to enhance sample representativeness, and efforts were made to include participants with varying demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds (Bornstein et al., 2013). This approach aligns with established methodological recommendations for balancing feasibility and validity in rural field research (Ong et al., 2023).

Field surveys were conducted between June and August 2023 in multiple locations across Shaanxi Province, including Weinan, Xi’an, Yan’an, Hanzhong, and Xianyang. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, focus group discussions were held with rural women, village (community) women’s federation chairs, township (street) officials, and women’s federation cadres at various administrative levels. Interviews supplemented the questionnaire survey. The survey covered personal demographics, digital literacy, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, e-government use intention and behavior. A total of 150 individuals were interviewed, and 1,200 questionnaires were distributed, resulting in 1,145 completed responses. After data cleaning, 1,082 valid questionnaires were retained for analysis.

This study considers demographic characteristics such as age, education level, political status, and occupational status as control variables. Younger women are generally more receptive to digital technologies, possess higher digital literacy, and are more inclined to embrace e-governance compared to their older counterparts (Duan & Dong, 2025). Rural women with higher educational attainment tend to exhibit greater digital literacy and proficiency, increasing their likelihood of utilizing e-government services (Duan & Dong, 2025). Furthermore, this study examines the variations in the impact of rural women’s digital literacy on their e-government use behavior based on their political status (e.g., membership in the Communist Party of China) and occupational status (e.g., cadres of the Women’s Federation versus ordinary rural women). The Women’s Federation is a national organization in China dedicated to promoting women’s rights and social welfare, with its cadres playing a key role in policy implementation and community engagement. Compared to ordinary rural women, these cadres have greater exposure to e-government platforms, as they frequently use them to fulfill tasks assigned by superiors and enhance their service to the public. Similarly, the Communist Party of China (CPC), as the ruling party, influences various aspects of social governance. Rural women who are CPC members often engage with digital platforms for educational purposes, such as acquiring the Party’s theoretical knowledge, which may also contribute to their e-government engagement.

Questionnaire Formulation and Scale Development

After establishing the research framework, an initial version of the questionnaire was developed by drawing upon relevant literature and utilizing established scales. The measurement items for the study variables were primarily adapted from established research scales. Digital literacy was assessed based on the study by Su et al. (2021), with additional references to Wu and Wang (2023), Ali et al. (2023) and Soni and Mitchell (2022). This assessment covered five dimensions: digital access literacy (HQ), usage literacy (SY), social literacy (SJ), innovation literacy (CY), and security literacy (AQ). E-government usage behavior was measured using items adapted from Wu and Wang (2023), supplemented by references to Falco and Kleinhans (2018) and Hujran et al. (2023). These measurements focused on three aspects: participation in digital government activities (SH), rural digital governance (XC), and agriculture-related government services (ZW). Measurement items for perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention were modified from Chen et al. (2002) and Lin et al. (2011). The adapted items for measurement, derived from past studies, are presented in Table 1. A seven-point Likert scale, ranging from strong disagreement (1) to strong agreement (7), was used to score each item.

Table 1.

Items for Measuring.

Construct	Items	Source
Digital literacy (DL)
Digital access literacy (HQ)	HQ1: I am aware of e-government services (e.g., the “Qinwuyuan“ public website)	Su et al. (2021), Wu and Wang (2023), Ali et al. (2023), Soni and Mitchell (2022)
	HQ2: I possess the capability to actively access government information through the Internet
	HQ3: I actively browse government websites, WeChat, Weibo, and clients
	HQ4: Short videos on government affairs are useful for me to get government information
	HQ5: The content published on digital government platforms can meet my needs
Digital usage literacy (SY)	SY1: I have strong skills in the use of digital government
	SY2: I prefer doing things online to doing things on the ground
	SY3: Use government websites, WeChat, microblogs, and clients frequently
	SY4: I often use online (web) channels for government services
	SY5: Give feedback through e-government platforms
	SY6: Enquire about the progress of official implementation through e-government service platforms
	SY7: Need for digital information technology training
Digital social literacy (SJ)	SJ1: I am able to proactively use online social networks to solve problems
	SJ2: I am able to fully access information resources about party building and government services
	SJ3: I am able to access online information and resources and share them with others
	SJ4: Actively participate in online communication and discussion, express opinions
	SJ5: The publicity and training provided by the village committee can enhance my digital literacy
	SJ6: Communication and dissemination among village people can enhance my digital literacy
Digital innovation literacy (CY)	CY1: Ability to edit and produce information for the web
	CY2: I have strong digital governance engagement skills
	CY3: I am able to quickly get started with digital platforms or tools related to rural governance
	CY4: I possess the capability to use digital information technology to innovate the content and form of party building and government services
	CY5: I am able to solve digital problems in the areas of party building and government affairs
Digital security literacy (AQ)	AQ1: Have a high awareness of data security and privacy protection
	AQ2: Have full trust in the information published by the digital government service platform
	AQ3: Exhibit a substantial degree of trust in government websites
E-government usage behavior (EGUB)
Digital government life (SH)	SH1: Use government applets to enquire about education and employment services	Wu and Wang (2023), Falco and Kleinhans (2018), Hujran et al. (2023)
	SH2: Use government applets to apply for health insurance and social security
	SH3: Use government applets to pay pensions and apply for marriage and childcare services
	SH4: Use government applets to apply for financial, tax, and individual business services
	SH5: Participate in public utilities (e.g., One-Code Pass) by using government applets
Rural digital governance (XC)	XC1: Supervision of village affairs through web-based platforms, etc.
	XC2: Financial supervision on the basis of a web-based platform
	XC3: Relying on network platforms, etc. to provide feedback on unexpected problems
	XC4: Use network platforms (e.g., WeChat groups) to offer advice and suggestions
	XC5: Use digital information technology to participate in rural governance (e.g., elections, etc.)
Agriculture-related government services (ZW)	ZW1: Active participation in online declaration of agriculture-related matters
	ZW2: Participate in the expression of opinions on agriculture-related matters
	ZW3: Search for information on agriculture-related matters on government websites
	ZW4: I am able to independently conduct online processing of agriculture-related affairs
	ZW5: I am able to independently complete “self-service” agriculture-related service terminals
Perceived usefulness (PU)	PU1: E-government services can provide me with the necessary information and services promptly	Lin et al. (2011), Chen et al. (2002)
	PU2: The level of construction of digital government facilities can satisfy my needs
	PU3: Digital government services have the potential to increase my productivity or benefit me
Perceived ease of use (PEU)	PEU1: It is easier to do government service business online	Lin et al. (2011), Chen et al. (2002)
	PEU2: Learning internet skills and doing business on government websites is easy for me
	PEU3: I think the information displayed on government websites is easy to understand
Behavioral intention (YX)	YX1: I am inclined to utilize the digital government service platform	Lin et al. (2011), Chen et al. (2002)
	YX2: I am inclined to participate in digital government skills training
	YX3: I am willing to introduce digital government services to people around me

The measurement items were evaluated by five independent researchers specializing in technology acceptance research. Feedback from these experts was incorporated to refine the items. The questionnaire was then further refined through extensive pre-testing by 15 academics and cadres of the Women’s Federation with expertise in e-government operations, as well as 15 ordinary rural women. The pre-testing results affirmed the comprehensiveness of the questionnaire.

Respondent Profile

The initial section of the questionnaire gathered demographic data from respondents, including age, political status, educational attainment, and monthly income. Table 2 reports the basic characteristics of the respondents. 66% were rural women aged 31 to 50, 71.2% had an education level of high school or above, 37.1% were CPC Party members, and 40.2% were cadres in the Women’s Union.

Table 2.

Demographic Characteristics of Respondents.

Profiles	Categories	Number in sample	Percentage
Age	30 years old and under	177	16.4
	31–40 years old	392	36.2
	41–50 years old	322	29.8
	Above 50 years old	191	17.7
Political status	CPC party member	401	37.1
	Non-communist party	14	1.3
	League member	53	4.9
	The masses	614	56.7
Education	Primary and below	69	6.4
	Junior high school	242	22.4
	Senior high school	296	27.3
	College	238	22
	Undergraduate and above	237	21.9
Professional status	Ordinary rural women	647	59.8
	Women’s federation cadres	435	40.2

Results of Data Analysis

The acquired data underwent comprehensive analysis using a two-stage approach involving PLS-SEM, executed through SmartPLS 3.0. This method effectively predicts intricate linear relationships within the model but may not detect potential non-linear relationships (Leong et al., 2020). To address this limitation and ensure a thorough assessment, ANOVA was employed in the second phase. This additional step aimed to identify any possible non-linear effects within the framework and to assess the robustness of the PLS-SEM path model (Sarstedt et al., 2020).

Common Method Bias (CMB)

Three methods were employed to assess the degree of CMB and ensure the trustworthiness of the results. First, independent and dependent variables were segregated by administering two surveys at different times, reducing the possibility of overt correlations between them (Liu et al., 2020, 2022). Second, Harman’s one-factor test, using principal component analysis on the five essential variables (DL, PU, PEU, YX, and EGUB), confirmed that the connections between variables were not excessively close, with the maximum variance explained not exceeding 22.99%. Finally, a common method factor test was performed, converting the model’s variables into second-order constructs (Liang et al., 2018). This test aimed to appropriately assess CMB by correlating single-indicator constructs and the method factor. The results in Table 3 indicated that all Ra² items demonstrated statistical significance, and substantive variance greatly outweighed method variance. Consequently, CMB does not appear to be a major concern.

Table 3.

Common Method Variance (CMV).

Latent variable	Indicators	Ra	Ra²	Rb	Rb²
AQ	AQ1	.796	.634	.232	.054
	AQ2	.746	.557	−.080	.006
	AQ3	.735	.540	−.143	.020
CY	CY1	.844	.712	.097	.009
	CY2	.865	.748	.103	.011
	CY3	.848	.719	−.083	.007
	CY4	.838	.702	−.088	.008
	CY5	.833	.694	−.025	.001
HQ	HQ1	.795	.632	−.030	.001
	HQ2	.844	.712	−.003	.000
	HQ3	.844	.712	−.008	.000
	HQ4	.835	.697	.001	.000
	HQ5	.825	.681	.040	.002
PEU	PEU1	.902	.814	.037	.001
	PEU2	.887	.787	.218	.048
	PEU3	.831	.691	−.285	.081
PU	PU1	.936	.876	−.011	.000
	PU2	.942	.887	−.037	.001
	PU3	.897	.805	.051	.003
SH	SH1	.820	.672	.113	.013
	SH2	.790	.624	−.084	.007
	SH3	.806	.650	−.123	.015
	SH4	.836	.699	.049	.002
	SH5	.817	.667	.050	.003
SJ	SJ1	.833	.694	.257	.066
	SJ2	.849	.721	.173	.030
	SJ3	.809	.654	−.090	.008
	SJ4	.847	.717	−.024	.001
	SJ5	.805	.648	−.169	.029
	SJ6	.779	.607	−.138	.019
SY	SY1	.824	.679	−.034	.001
	SY2	.779	.607	−.068	.005
	SY3	.849	.721	−.150	.023
	SY4	.847	.717	−.154	.024
	SY5	.850	.723	−.135	.018
	SY6	.846	.716	.170	.029
	SY7	.760	.578	.449	.202
XC	XC1	.890	.792	.071	.005
	XC2	.898	.806	−.031	.001
	XC3	.903	.815	−.001	.000
	XC4	.894	.799	.008	.000
	XC5	.869	.755	−.048	.002
YX	YX1	.942	.887	.062	.004
	YX2	.953	.908	−.051	.003
	YX3	.951	.904	−.011	.000
ZW	ZW1	.887	.787	.007	.000
	ZW2	.885	.783	.016	.000
	ZW3	.895	.801	.030	.001
	ZW4	.880	.774	−.069	.005
	ZW5	.855	.731	.017	.000
Average			.725		.015

Model of Outer Measurement

Composite reliability (CR) and Dijkstra-Henseler’s rho (rho_A) were used to assess the dependability of the external measurement model. As shown in Table 4, all scales exhibited Cronbach’s Alpha values exceeding .8, and both rho_A and CR values exceeded the minimum critical level of .7, indicating satisfactory reliability for all measures in this study (Dijkstra & Henseler, 2015). Additionally, to evaluate convergent validity (CV), external loadings and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) were examined. As presented in Table 4, all variables had an external loading greater than .7 and an AVE greater than .5. These results meet the criteria for CV (Loh et al., 2022).

Table 4.

Rho_A, CR, and AVE.

Items		Loadings	Cronbach’s alpha	Rho_A	CR	AVE
DL
HQ	HQ1	.884	.981	.951	.962	.834
	HQ2	.931
	HQ3	.932
	HQ4	.920
	HQ5	.898
SY	SY1	.872		.947	.955	.754
	SY2	.842
	SY3	.906
	SY4	.911
	SY5	.915
	SY6	.873
	SY7	.749
SJ	SJ1	.840		.936	.949	.757
	SJ2	.866
	SJ3	.879
	SJ4	.905
	SJ5	.882
	SJ6	.847
CY	CY1	.901		.956	.966	.850
	CY2	.922
	CY3	.942
	CY4	.929
	CY5	.917
AQ	AQ1	.860		.864	.917	.786
	AQ2	.894
	AQ3	.905
EGUB
SH	SH1	.879	.975	.937	.952	.797
	SH2	.897
	SH3	.918
	SH4	.891
	SH5	.880
XC	XC1	.926		.960	.969	.862
	XC2	.944
	XC3	.942
	XC4	.929
	XC5	.900
ZW	ZW1	.924		.961	.970	.864
	ZW2	.936
	ZW3	.943
	ZW4	.939
	ZW5	.907
PU	PU1	.936	.915	.917	.947	.856
	PU2	.942
	PU3	.896
PEU	PEU1	.902	.846	.856	.907	.764
	PEU2	.887
	PEU3	.832
YX	YX1	.942	.944	.945	.964	.900
	YX2	.953
	YX3	.951

Henseler et al. (2015) have argued that Fornell and Larcker’s (1981) approach may lack discriminant validity (DV) in common research situations, despite its typical use in technology acceptance studies. Therefore, this study employed the Heterotrait–Monotrait (HTMT) ratio to assess DV, as shown in Table 5. Hair et al. (2017) suggested a threshold for HTMT inference values of 1. The results indicate that all DV values were below 1, providing empirical support for the discriminant validity of all variables in the research model.

Table 5.

HTMT Inference.

Variable	DL	EGUB	PEU	PU
DL
EGUB	.909
PEU	.890	.899
PU	.851	.877	.930
YX	.757	.760	.937	.902

Evaluation of the Inner Structural Model

The evaluation of the inner structural model presented in Table 6 and Figure 3 by examining path coefficients using BCa bootstrapping with 5,000 subsamples at .05 two-tailed α. The data indicate that all hypotheses received support. Digital Literacy (DL) exhibited a significant correlation with E-Government Use Behavior (EGUB; β = .763, p < .001), and e-government use intention (YX) is also significantly associated with EGUB (β = .173, p < .001), hence supporting H1 and H4. Meanwhile, both DL (β = .184, p < .001) and PEU (β = .764, p < .001) demonstrated significant correlations with PU, and DL (β = .814, p < .001) is significantly associated with PEU correlated, hence supporting H2a, H3b, and H3a. PU (β = .429, p < .001) and PEU (β = .449, p < .001) showed a substantial effect on YX, hence supporting H2b and H3c. Additionally, Table 6 also presents the findings of the mediating effects, H5a, H5b, H5c, H5d, and H5e were supported. It shows that the development and enhancement of rural women’s digital literacy can significantly increase their PEU and PU, resulting in a heightened intention to utilize e-government.

Table 6.

Hypothesis Testing.

Hypotheses	Path coefficients	Original sample (O)	Sample mean (M)	Standard deviation (SD)	T-statistics (\|O/SD\|)	p-Values
H1	DL → EGUB	.763	.763	.026	28.827	.000
H2a	DL → PU	.184	.184	.029	6.402	.000
H2b	PU → YX	.429	.431	.060	7.174	.000
H3a	DL → PEU	.814	.814	.014	58.465	.000
H3b	PEU → PU	.764	.764	.027	28.123	.000
H3c	PEU → YX	.449	.447	.057	7.903	.000
H4	YX → EGUB	.172	.173	.029	5.903	.000
H5a	DL → PU→> YX	.079	.079	.017	4.743	.000
H5b	DL → PEU → YX	.365	.364	.047	7.823	.000
H5c	DL → PEU → PU	.622	.622	.022	28.937	.000
H5d	PEU → PU → YX	.328	.329	.048	6.884	.000
H5e	DL → PEU → PU → YX	.267	.268	.039	6.873	.000

Figure 3.

Structural model test.

Effect sizes of the outcome variables were assessed using the f² metric (Table 7). Thresholds of .35, .15, and .02 signify large, medium, and small path effects, while values below .02 are deemed negligible (Cohen, 2013). Every variable exhibited discernible effects, PEU and PU had effect on YX and YX had effect on EGUB. Furthermore, the PLSpredict technique was employed to confirm the model’s out-of-sample predictive capability (Shmueli et al., 2016). As presented in Table 8, all DP metrics demonstrated positive Q2 predictive values. However, all root mean square error (RMSE) values exceeded the RMSE values under the linear benchmark, suggesting that this model has relatively limited predictive power.

Table 7.

Effect Size (f²).

Variable	EGUB	PEU	PU	YX
DL	1.396	1.964	.074
PEU			1.282	.127
PU				.116
YX	.071

Table 8.

PLS Predict Results.

	PLS-SEM			Liner model benchmark
Items	Q²_predict	RMSE	MAE	RMSE	MAE
YX1	.488	.916	.699	.855	.622
YX2	.458	.952	.729	.860	.626
YX3	.478	.931	.718	.863	.636

Multi-Group Analysis

To examine whether the path model, tailored for the entire sample, is also applicable to specific sample groups and explore group differences, this study selects age, education level, political status, occupational status, as the basis for grouping. It then conducts a multi-group analysis of the effect of rural women’s digital literacy on their e-government usage behavior. Initially, measurement invariance was tested using MICOM, which follows a three-step procedure: evaluating configuration invariance, assessing compositional invariance, and verifying equality of composite mean values and variances. The first stage established configuration invariance by using the same measurements, data processing, and algorithm setup for each value. The two subsequent phases of MICOM were developed with compositional invariance and similar average outcomes, which is illustrated in Table 9.

Table 9.

MICOM.

	Age		Education level		Political status		Occupational status
Constructs	Original correlation	Permutation p-values	Original correlation	Permutation p-values	Original correlation	Permutation p-values	Original correlation	Permutation p-values
DL	1.000	.658	1.000	.236	1.000	.481	1.000	.429
EGUB	1.000	.068	1.000	.737	1.000	.086	1.000	.464
PEU	1.000	.795	1.000	.590	1.000	.786	1.000	.330
PU	1.000	.549	1.000	.130	1.000	.734	1.000	.174
YX	1.000	.544	1.000	.622	1.000	.819	1.000	.391

Following the results of MICOM, it was found that partial measurement invariance was supported. Subsequently, comparisons of standardized path coefficients between groups were conducted using MGA within PLS. Table 10 illustrates the final findings of the multi-group structural equation modelling tests were obtained.

Table 10.

Multi-Group Analysis Results.

Path coefficients	Age	Education level	Political status	Occupational status
DL → EGUB	.243	.146	.125	.307
DL → PU	.761	.077	.015	.025
PU → YX	.328	.002	.997	.990
DL → PEU	.076	.058	.383	.678
PEU → PU	.985	.118	.021	.033
PEU → YX	.387	.002	.886	.618
YX → EGUB	.098	.309	.191	.519
DL → PU → YX	.397	.001	.064	.079
DL → PEU → YX	.543	.005	.994	.667
DL → PEU → PU	.346	.600	.066	.051
PEU → PU → YX	.340	.012	.571	.601
DL → PEU → PU → YX	.239	.006	.659	.643

(1) Multi-group analysis based on age differences. The study categorized participants into two age groups: 20 to 39 and 40 years and older, consisting of 539 women in the former group and 543 in the latter. The analysis revealed that the effect of age difference between rural women’s digital literacy and their e-government use behavior is not significant.

(2) Multi-group analysis based on education level. Participants were divided into two education groups: high school and below, and college and above, with 607 women in the former group and 475 in the latter. The findings indicated a substantial difference across different education levels in the impact of PU and PEU on YX, but different education levels are not significant in the impact of DL on EGUB.

(3) Multi-group analysis based on political status. The study categorized participants into two political status groups: Chinese Communist Party members and non-Chinese Communist Party members, with 468 in the former group and 614 in the latter. The results showed a significant difference between political status groups in the influence of DL on their PU, as well as in the impact of PEU on PU. There was no substantial variation in the influence of DL on EGUB based on political status.

(4) Multi-group analysis based on occupational status. Participants were divided into two occupational status groups: ordinary women and women’s federation cadres, with 647 in the former group and 435 in the latter. The analysis demonstrated a significant difference between different occupational status in the impact of DL and PEU on their PU, but different occupational status are not significant in the influence of DL on EGUB.

Discussions

This study explored the influence of digital literacy on rural women’s e-government usage intention and behavior by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results reaffirm the model’s robustness in explaining technology adoption, while also offering important insights into how foundational digital competencies shape user perceptions and behavioral responses in underrepresented populations.

The findings confirm that higher levels of digital literacy significantly enhance rural women’s perceptions of both the usefulness (PU) and ease of use (PEU) of e-government platforms. This is consistent with the assertions of Duan and Dong (2025), who emphasized the importance of digital skills in facilitating meaningful interaction with e-government services. However, while previous study employed an extended UTAUT-2 model to broadly examine factors influencing rural women’s e-government use intention, it did not specifically analyze the internal mechanisms of digital literacy’s influence. This study addresses that gap by focusing on digital literacy within the TAM framework, providing a more detailed examination of how PU and PEU mediate its effects on use intention and actual behavior. The positive effect of PEU on PU also corroborates Davis’s (1989) classical TAM proposition, reinforcing the idea that systems perceived as easy to use are also deemed more valuable. Furthermore, the positive association between PU, PEU, and behavioral intention aligns with a broader body of literature affirming the central role of cognitive perceptions in digital technology adoption (Khan et al., 2021; Susanto & Aljoza, 2015). This study also found that e-government use intention (YX) is significantly associated with e-government usage behavior (EGUB). This result aligns with the core assumptions of the TAM, which posits that behavioral intention is a direct antecedent of actual usage behavior (Venkatesh et al., 2003). The significant relationship between YX and EGUB further validates the sequential pathway from perception to intention and, ultimately, to behavior in the context of rural e-government adoption.

Beyond reaffirming the TAM pathway, this study expands the model by introducing digital literacy as an external antecedent variable. The mediation analysis revealed that PU and PEU serve as mediators between digital literacy and usage intention, offering empirical support to the proposition that digital literacy facilitates more confident and competent interaction with technology (Isabella et al., 2025; Nguyen et al., 2024). In this context, digital literacy extends beyond technical skills, serving as a cognitive foundation that shapes rural users’ perceptions, interpretations, and interactions with technology. This supports the perspective of Soni and Mitchell (2022), who advocate for the integration of foundational competencies into classical TAM to reflect the real-world barriers faced by marginalized groups.

Moreover, this study contributes to ongoing scholarly efforts to bridge the gap between digital divide research and technology acceptance theory. While early digital divide literature focused primarily on access-related disparities (van Dijk, 2006), more recent studies have emphasized second- and third-level divides, particularly disparities in digital skills and usage outcomes. By confirming that digital literacy indirectly shapes behavioral intention through PU and PEU, this study aligns with and extends the evolving understanding of digital inequalities. It echoes findings from Abdulkareem and Ramli (2021), who argue that digital competencies mediate the relationship between access and meaningful use, and complements literature highlighting how cognitive and skill-based disparities, rather than access alone, determine effective engagement with digital technologies. These insights strengthen the theoretical linkage between digital literacy and technology adoption, providing further empirical grounding for integrating digital divide perspectives within established technology acceptance frameworks.

The multi-group analysis adds further nuance by showing that the relationship between digital literacy and e-government usage behavior is broadly consistent across demographic groups such as age, education, political status, and occupation. This uniformity underscores the pervasive role of digital literacy as a foundational enabler. However, the discovery of subgroup variations in the mediating pathways—specifically, that education level moderates the influence of PU and PEU on behavioral intention—reveals subtle forms of digital inequality. This finding resonates with studies on differentiated digital engagement (Helsper, 2012), suggesting that even when baseline digital literacy exists, education affects how individuals cognitively process and apply digital tools. Similarly, the moderating effects of political and occupational status on the links between digital literacy, PU, and PEU suggest that social capital and role-based exposure may influence how users perceive and internalize digital government services.

These findings extend the discussion on digital inclusion by demonstrating that uniform interventions may not suffice. While digital literacy programs are needed for all rural women regardless of age, there is a pressing need for more tailored and context-sensitive strategies that consider the diverse socio-political and educational contexts of target groups. As Warschauer (2003) notes, digital inclusion is not simply about providing access but about embedding digital tools within broader social systems of education, culture, and participation. Thus, policymakers and practitioners must design inclusive e-government systems that address not only technical barriers but also cognitive, motivational, and structural factors affecting user engagement.

In summary, the findings of this study not only validate the extended TAM model but also offer a theoretically enriched and contextually grounded understanding of how digital literacy shapes e-government adoption among rural women. The results underscore the importance of integrating digital competencies into mainstream adoption models, while also pointing to the necessity of differentiated strategies that acknowledge the layered nature of digital inequalities.

Theoretical Contribution

This study makes significant contributions in several key areas. It advances the understanding of e-government adoption by integrating digital literacy into the TAM as an external variable, offering a more comprehensive framework for analyzing rural women’s e-government usage intentions and behaviors. While TAM has been widely applied in various technology adoption studies, its extension to include digital literacy provides a new theoretical lens to explain how foundational digital competencies influence the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and subsequent adoption of e-government services (Soni & Mitchell, 2022). By empirically validating this extended model, this study contributes to the refinement of TAM and broadens its applicability to populations affected by the gender digital divide.

Furthermore, this study provides empirical evidence supporting the role of digital literacy in shaping technology adoption behaviors. It highlights how digital literacy not only directly influences e-government usage behavior but also indirectly affects adoption through PU and PEU. These findings reinforce and expand existing digital literacy theories by demonstrating its mediating role in technology acceptance, thereby bridging gaps between digital divide research and e-government adoption models (Abdulkareem & Ramli, 2021; Isabella et al., 2025).

From a practical perspective, the findings underscore the necessity of policy-driven digital literacy initiatives to foster e-government adoption among rural women (Duan & Dong, 2025). The results suggest that improving digital literacy can enhance both the perceived benefits and usability of e-government services, ultimately driving higher engagement levels. Additionally, the multi-group analysis reveals disparities in education levels, political status, and occupational backgrounds, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions that address specific barriers to digital engagement. These insights provide actionable recommendations for policymakers to design targeted training programs that enhance digital skills, promote inclusive e-government adoption, and bridge the gender digital divide in rural areas.

Policy Recommendations

The study’s findings hold significant policy implications for enhancing digital literacy to promote e-government use. Firstly, improving rural women’s digital literacy requires enhancing their knowledge, willingness, and ability to acquire digital skills. This can be achieved through extensive public education and training programs. Diversified social forces should be encouraged to participate in educational activities to improve rural women’s digital literacy. Families play a crucial role in this, and “digital feedback” within the family should be vigorously advocated.

Secondly, enhancing rural women’s willingness to use e-government should be pursued through various channels. Increasing the supply of rural women’s education and activating their educational potential can improve their sense of participation and experience in e-government. Exhibitions, displays, and real-life experiences can enhance rural women’s perceptions of e-government’s usability and simplicity.

Finally, addressing the gap between the willingness to use e-government and actual utilization is critical. Efforts should be made to expedite the enhancement of digital infrastructure and services in rural regions, especially in remote villages. The needs and habits of rural residents should be considered when developing, promoting, and utilizing e-government applications. This would ensure that e-government is user-friendly and make it simpler for rural residents to utilize by integrating pertinent e-government platform features and simplifying operational processes.

Shortcoming and Outlook

This study has several limitations that should be noted. Firstly, a cross-sectional research design was used to assess current digital literacy and e-government use among rural women. Given that digital literacy is still emerging among rural residents, and their exposure to it varies, these findings may evolve over time. Future research should employ longitudinal studies to gain a deeper understanding of these dynamics.

Secondly, the study focused exclusively on rural women in Shaanxi Province, China. This regional focus may limit the generalizability of the findings, as variations could exist in other regions. Future studies could benefit from expanding the sample size and including a broader geographical scope to examine differences in digital literacy, willingness, and e-government usage behaviors.

Thirdly, while this study concentrated on rural women, future research could include diverse demographic groups, such as urban residents and the elderly, to provide a more comprehensive perspective. Additionally, incorporating variables beyond digital literacy could enhance the understanding of e-government usage intentions and behaviors.

Conclusion

This study examined how digital literacy influences rural women’s e-government usage intention and behavior by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with empirical data from Shaanxi Province, China. The findings confirm that digital literacy plays a crucial and direct role in enhancing rural women’s engagement with e-government services. Specifically, higher levels of digital literacy improve perceptions of both perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU), while PEU further enhances PU. These improved perceptions lead to stronger behavioral intentions to adopt e-government services. Furthermore, the mediating effects of PU and PEU between digital literacy and e-government use intention highlight the importance of improving digital competencies to strengthen users’ positive perceptions and drive adoption. The multi-group analysis reveals that age does not significantly moderate these relationships, underscoring the universal importance of promoting digital literacy among rural women of all ages. However, education, political status, and occupational status influence the pathways through which digital literacy affects PU and PEU, and subsequently, e-government usage intention. These findings suggest that while digital literacy is foundational, social factors continue to shape how individuals perceive and engage with e-government platforms. Overall, this study emphasizes the necessity of targeted digital literacy initiatives that consider the diverse educational and social backgrounds of rural women to ensure more inclusive and effective e-government adoption.

Footnotes

ORCID iDs

Yongbiao Duan

Xinyu Dong

Ethical Considerations

This study involved human participants and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in Xi’an Jiaotong University institution’s ethics policy. Ethical approval was obtained from Iqra University. The study design minimized risk to participants by using anonymous surveys, excluding sensitive questions, etc. All participation was voluntary, and participants were informed of their right to withdraw at any time without consequence. Informed consent was obtained prior to participation, either in written or digital form. Participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity throughout the research process. The potential benefits of this study were deemed to outweigh any minimal risks posed to participants, which were mitigated through anonymity and voluntary participation.

Author Contributions

Yongbiao Duan: Conceptualization, Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Investigation, Software. Xinyu Dong: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Validation, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 71573204), Philosophy and Social Science Research Special Foundation of Shaanxi Province (grant number 2023HZ1661).

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available, and restrictions apply to the availability of these data.

References

Abdulkareem

A. K.

Ramli

R. M.

(2021). Does digital literacy predict e-government performance? An extension of Delone and Mclean information system success model. Electronic Government, an International Journal, 17(4), 466–493. https://doi.org/10.1504/EG.2021.118103

Acilar

(2020). Exploring the gender digital divide in e-government use in a developing country. International Journal of Public Administration in the Digital Age, 7(4), 1–15. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJPADA.20201001.oa1

Ali

Raza

A. A.

Qazi

I. A.

(2023). Validated digital literacy measures for populations with low levels of internet experiences. Development Engineering, 8, 1–14. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.deveng.2023.100107

Alruwaie

El-Haddadeh

Weerakkody

(2020). Citizens’ continuous use of eGovernment services: The role of self-efficacy, outcome expectations and satisfaction. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), Article 101485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2020.101485

Asmayawati

Yufiarti

Yetti

(2024). Pedagogical innovation and curricular adaptation in enhancing digital literacy: A local wisdom approach for sustainable development in Indonesia context. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2024.100233

Bai

Chen

Zhou

Zang

Sow

Shen

(2023). Digital literacy and farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior - Empirical analysis based on CHFS2019 micro data. PLoS One, 18(7), Article 19. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288245

Barki

Titah

(2006). E-government adoption and acceptance : A literature review. International Journal of Electronic Government Research, 2(3), 23–57. https://doi.org/10.4018/jegr.2006070102

Benbasat

Barki

(2007). Quo Vadis, TAM? Journal of the Association of Information Systems, 8(3), 211–218. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00126

Bisogno

Donatella

(2022). Earnings management in public-sector organizations: A structured literature review. Journal of Public Budgeting Accounting & Financial Management, 34(6), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBAFM-03-2021-0035

10.

Bornstein

M. H.

Jager

Putnick

D. L.

(2013). Sampling in developmental science: Situations, shortcomings, solutions, and standards. Developmental Review, 33(4), 357–370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2013.08.003

11.

Cai

(2023). Digital literacy, gender, and the sustainable development: Exploring how to promote gender based development in the digital environment from the perspective of “gender and development“ theory. Journal of Chinese Women’s Studies, 3, 44–57.

12.

Carretero

Vuorikari

Punie

(2017). DigComp 2.1: The digital competence framework for citizens with eight proficiency levels and examples of use (pp. 23–35). Publications Office of the European Union.

13.

Chen

L. D.

Gillenson

M. L.

Sherrell

D. L.

(2002). Enticing online consumers: An extended technology acceptance perspective. Information & Management, 39(8), 705–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00127-6

14.

Chen

Liang

Chen

(2023). Responsive E-government in China: A way of gaining public support. Government Information Quarterly, 40(3), Article 101809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2023.101809

15.

Choi

Park

(2013). Understanding gender inequality in central e-government: A Korean case study. Government Information Quarterly, 30(3), 300–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2013.01.003

16.

Cohen

(2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Routledge Academic.

17.

David

Phillips

(2023). The gender digital gap: Shifting the theoretical focus to systems analysis and feedback loops. Information Communication & Society, 26(10), 2071–2087. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2022.2069507

18.

Davis

F. D.

(1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008

19.

Dijkstra

T. K.

Henseler

(2015). Consistent partial least squares path modeling. MIS Quarterly, 39(2), Article 297. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2015/39.2.02

20.

Dimitrova

D. V.

Chen

Y. C.

(2006). Profiling the adopters of e-government information and services - The influence of psychological characteristics, civic mindedness, and information channels. Social Science Computer Review, 24(2), 172–188. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439305281517

21.

Duan

Dong

(2025). Use intention and behavior in e-government among rural women: An extension of the UTAUT-2 model. Information Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251316512

22.

Eshet-Alkalai

(2004). Digital literacy: A conceptual framework for survival skills in the digital era. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 13(1), 93–106.

23.

Falco

Kleinhans

(2018). Beyond technology: Identifying local government challenges for using digital platforms for citizen engagement. International Journal of Information Management, 40, 17–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.01.007

24.

Ferrari

(2013). DIGCOMP: A framework for developing and understanding digital competence in Europe (pp. 15–36). Publications Office of the European Union.

25.

Fornell

Larcker

D. F.

(1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312

26.

Galperin

Arcidiacono

(2021). Employment and the gender digital divide in Latin America: A decomposition analysis. Telecommunications Policy, 45(7), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2021.102166

27.

Gilster

(1997). Digital literacy (pp. 25–48). Wiley.

28.

Global System for Mobile Communications Association. (2022). The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022. https://www.gsma.com/r/gender-gap-2022/

29.

Hair

J. F.

Hult

G. T. M.

Ringle

C. M.

Sarstedt

(2017). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage.

30.

Helsper

E. J.

(2012). A corresponding fields model for the links between social and digital exclusion. Communication Theory, 22(4), 403–426. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2012.01416.x

31.

Henseler

Ringle

C. M.

Sarstedt

(2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8

32.

Hooda

Gupta

Jeyaraj

Giannakis

Dwivedi

Y. K.

(2022). The effects of trust on behavioral intention and use behavior within e-government contexts. International Journal of Information Management, 67, Article 102553. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102553

33.

Huang

Kao

(2015). UTAUT2 based predictions of factors influencing the technology acceptance of Phablets by DNP. Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2015, Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/603747

34.

Huang

Yang

Chang

(2024). Mobile immobility: An exploratory study of rural women’s engagement with e-commerce livestreaming in China. Journal of Chinese Sociology, 11(1), Article 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40711-023-00204-6

35.

Hujran

Al-Debei

M. M.

Al-Adwan

A. S.

Alarabiat

Altarawneh

(2023). Examining the antecedents and outcomes of smart government usage: An integrated model. Government Information Quarterly, 40(1), Article 22. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101783

36.

Idoughi

Abdelhakim

(2018). Developing countries e-government services evaluation identifying and testing antecedents of satisfaction case of Algeria. International Journal of Electronic Government Research, 14(1), 63–85. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJEGR.2018010104

37.

Isabella

Agustian

Baharuddin

Ibrahim

A. H. H.

(2025). Bridging e-government with digital literacy: A literature review. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 14(1), 361–371. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv14i1siart12

38.

Jager

Putnick

D. L.

Bornstein

M. H.

(2017). II. More than just convenient: The scientific merits of homogeneous convenience samples. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 82(2), 13–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/mono.12296

39.

Jang

Aavakare

Nikou

Kim

(2021). The impact of literacy on intention to use digital technology for learning: A comparative study of Korea and Finland. Telecommunications Policy, 45(7), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2021.102154

40.

Khan

Umer

Naqvi

(2021). Antecedents of trust in using social media for E-government services: An empirical study in Pakistan. Technology in Society, 64, Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101400

41.

Lankshear

Knobel

(2008). Digital literacies: Concepts, policies and practices (pp. 17–32). Peter Lang.

42.

Law

Woo

Torre

(2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills for indicator 4.4.2 (pp. 23–25). UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

43.

Leong

Hew

Ooi

Chong

A. Y.

(2020). Predicting the antecedents of trust in social commerce - A hybrid structural equation modeling with neural network approach. Journal of Business Research, 110, 24–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.056

44.

Deng

(2021). Digital technology-enabled township government services: Logic, obstacles and the way forward. E-Government, 224(8), 29–39.

45.

Zang

Chandio

A. A.

Yang

Jiang

(2023). Farmers’ adoption of digital technology and agricultural entrepreneurial willingness: Evidence from China. Technology in Society, 73, Article 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102253

46.

Liang

Wang

M. M.

Wang

Xue

(2018). How intrinsic motivation and extrinsic incentives affect task effort in crowdsourcing contests: A mediated moderation model. Computers in Human Behavior, 81, 168–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.11.040

47.

Liang

(2013). Adoption of e-government services: An empirical study of the online tax filing system in Taiwan. Online Information Review, 37(3), 424–442. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-01-2012-0004

48.

Lin

Fofanah

S. S.

Liang

(2011). Assessing citizen adoption of e-government initiatives in Gambia: A validation of the technology acceptance model in information systems success. Government Information Quarterly, 28(2), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2010.09.004

49.

Liu

Liang

Wang

Xue

(2022). Ensuring employees’ information security policy compliance by carrot and stick: The moderating roles of organizational commitment and gender. Information Technology & People, 35(2), 802–834. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-09-2019-0452

50.

Liu

Wang

Liang

(2020). Motivating information security policy compliance: The critical role of supervisor-subordinate Guanxi and organizational commitment. International Journal of Information Management, 54, Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102152

51.

Liu

Xiao

Westlund

(2024). How internet access impacts rural households’ income in China: Evidence from the China family panel survey. Applied Economics, 57(21), 2793–2808. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2024.2331423

52.

Loh

Lee

Tan

G. W.

Hew

Ooi

(2022). Towards a cashless society: The imminent role of wearable technology. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 62(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2019.1688733

53.

Long

T. Q.

Hoang

T. C.

Simkins

(2023). Gender gap in digital literacy across generations: Evidence from Indonesia. Finance Research Letters, 58, Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104588

54.

(2020). Citizen engagement and co-production of e-government services in China. Journal of Chinese Governance, 5(1), 68–89. https://doi.org/10.1080/23812346.2019.1705052

55.

Macaya

J. F. M.

Ribeiro

M. M.

Jereissati

Lima

C. D. R.

Cunha

M. A.

(2021). Gendering the digital divide: The use of electronic government services and implications for the digital gender gap. Information Polity, 26(2), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.3233/IP-200307

56.

Magalhaes

Roseira

(2020). Open government data and the private sector: An empirical view on business models and value creation. Government Information Quarterly, 37(3), Article 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2017.08.004

57.

Maier

Thatcher

J. B.

Grover

Dwivedi

Y. K.

(2023). Cross-sectional research: A critical perspective, use cases, and recommendations for IS research. International Journal of Information Management, 70, Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102625

58.

Marshall

Dezuanni

Burgess

Thomas

Wilson

C. K.

(2020). Australian farmers left behind in the digital economy - Insights from the Australian Digital Inclusion Index. Journal of Rural Studies, 80, 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.09.001

59.

McGinty

Oest

Divido

(2024). Digital immigrants: Leveraging the technology acceptance model to increase digital literacy in older adults. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2024(181), 9–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20517

60.

Moon

Kim

(2001). Extending the TAM for a World-Wide-Web context. Information & Management, 38(4), 217–230. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(00)00061-6

61.

Nguyen

T. T. U.

Van Nguyen

Huynh

H. T. N.

Vrontis

Ahmed

Z. U.

(2024). Identification of the determinants of public trust in e-government services and participation in social media based on good governance theory and the technology acceptance model. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 18(1), 44–61. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABS-04-2023-0160

62.

Ong

M. H. A.

Yusri

M. Y.

Ibrahim

N. S.

(2023). Use and behavioural intention using digital payment systems among rural residents: Extending the UTAUT-2 model. Technology in Society, 74, Article 11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102305

63.

Perez-Morote

Pontones-Rosa

Nunez-Chicharro

(2020). The effects of e-government evaluation, trust and the digital divide in the levels of e-government use in European countries. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 154, Article 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.119973

64.

Salemink

Strijker

Bosworth

(2017). Rural development in the digital age: A systematic literature review on unequal ICT availability, adoption, and use in rural areas. Journal of Rural Studies, 54, 360–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2015.09.001

65.

Sarstedt

Ringle

C. M.

Cheah

Ting

Moisescu

Radomir

(2020). Structural model robustness checks in PLS-SEM. Tourism Economics, 26(4), 531–554. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354816618823921

66.

Seo

Bernsen

(2016). Comparing attitudes toward e-government of non-users versus users in a rural and urban municipality. Government Information Quarterly, 33(2), 270–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2016.02.002

67.

Shareef

M. A.

Kumar

Dwivedi

Y. K.

(2011). e-Government Adoption Model (GAM): Differing service maturity levels. Government Information Quarterly, 28(1), 17–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2010.05.006

68.

Shmueli

Ray

Velasquez Estrada

J. M.

Chatla

S. B.

(2016). The elephant in the room: Predictive performance of PLS models. Journal of Business Research, 69(10), 4552–4564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.03.049

69.

Singh

Sinha

(2020). How perceived trust mediates merchant’s intention to use a mobile wallet technology. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 52, Article 13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.101894

70.

Soni

Mitchell

A. M.

(2022). Women and digital government in rural India: Extending TAM with user assisted service. Information Polity, 27(1), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.3233/IP-200302

71.

Zhang

Peng

(2021). Research on the mechanism of farmers’ digital literacy driving the development of digital countryside. E-Government, 10, 42–56.

72.

Peng

(2022). Farmers’ digital literacy, elite identity and participation in rural digital governance. Journal of Agrotechnical Economics, 321(1), 34–50.

73.

Sun

Zhang

(2023). Digital rural construction in the era of digital economy: Significance, challenges and countermeasures. Journal of Northwest Normal University (Social Sciences), 60(1), 127–134.

74.

Sun

Zhou

(2022). Current state and influencing factors of digital gender divide in rural areas. Journal of Technical Economics & Management, 12, 112–116.

75.

Susanto

T. D.

Aljoza

(2015). Individual acceptance of e-government services in a developing country: Dimensions of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use and the importance of trust and social influence. Procedia Computer Science, 72, 622–629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2015.12.171

76.

Susanto

T. D.

Goodwin

(2013). User acceptance of SMS-based e-government services: Differences between adopters and non - adopters. Government Information Quarterly, 30(4), 486–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2013.05.010

77.

Tabusum

Saleem

Batcha

M. S.

(2014). Digital literacy awareness among arts and science college students in Tiruvallur District: A study. International Journal of Managerial Studies and Research, 2(4), 61–67.

78.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2022). United Nations E-Government Survey 2022: The future of digital government. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

79.

United Nations. (2019). Measuring digital development: Facts and figures 2019. https://news.un.org/zh/story/2019/11/1044991

80.

van Dijk

J. A. G. M.

(2006). Digital divide research, achievements and shortcomings. Poetics, 34(4), 221–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2006.05.004

81.

Venkatesh

Morris

M. G.

Davis

G. B.

Davis

F. D.

(2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540

82.

Wang

Chen

(2012). From potential users to actual users: Use of e-government service by Chinese migrant farmer workers. Government Information Quarterly, 29(1), S98–S111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2011.08.007

83.

Warschauer

(2003). Technology and social inclusion: Rethinking the digital divide. The MIT Press.

84.

Wang

(2023). Farmers’ digital literacy: Framework system, driving effect and cultivation path – An analytical perspective of competence quality theory. E-Government, 8, 105–119.

85.

Yan

Lyu

(2023). Can e-government reduce local governments’ financial deficits?—Analysis based on county-level data from China. Government Information Quarterly, 40(3), Article 101812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2023.101812

86.

Zhu

Zhong

Wei

(2024). Measuring digital government service performance: Evidence from China. China Economic Review, 83, Article 17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2023.102105

87.

Zhu

Gong

(2022). Technology empowerment: A path to poverty alleviation for Chinese women from the perspective of development communication. Telecommunications Policy, 46(6), Article 8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2022.102328

Does Digital Literacy Matter for E-Government Usage Behavior? An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from Rural Women in China

Abstract

Plain language summary

Keywords

Introduction

Literature Review and Theoretical Background

Rural Women’s Digital Literacy

E-Government Usage Behavior

Technology Acceptance Model

Research Model and Hypotheses

Direct Effect

Mediating Effect

Research Method

Research Instrument and Data Collection

Questionnaire Formulation and Scale Development

Respondent Profile

Results of Data Analysis

Common Method Bias (CMB)

Model of Outer Measurement

Evaluation of the Inner Structural Model

Multi-Group Analysis

Discussions

Theoretical Contribution

Policy Recommendations

Shortcoming and Outlook

Conclusion

Footnotes

ORCID iDs

Ethical Considerations

Author Contributions

Funding

Declaration of Conflicting Interests

Data Availability Statement

References