Gayatri Mallick

This study explores the impact of digital payment adoption and blockchain-based supply chains on the integration of street vendors from Delhi-NCR into global e-commerce. The goal is to examine the potential of digital technologies in supporting business transition and socioeconomic improvement for informal-sector vendors. A mixed-method research design was employed, involving purposive sampling of 250 street vendors engaged in digital payment ecosystems. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine hypothesized relationships between digital adoption, business transition, and socioeconomic outcomes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) addressed multicollinearity, and non-linear predictive relationships were analysed using Random Forest modelling. The findings reveal that digital adoption has a significant impact on business transition ( β = 0.64, p < 0.001), which, in turn, has a strong impact on socioeconomic upliftment ( β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Digital adoption also has a direct impact on socioeconomic outcomes that is positive but smaller ( β = 0.21, p = 0.033), suggesting partial mediation. Measurement reliability, validity, and predictive relevance were confirmed through structural model assessments. Digital payments have a limited direct impact on international trade, although they enable vendor inclusion and business transformation. By contrast, blockchain-based supply chain factors greatly enhance the efficiency of logistics, transparency, and supply chain-related performance. The study finds no direct income effects of digital technologies; instead, empowerment operates through entrepreneurial transition. The findings illustrate the need to go beyond financial inclusion and technological infrastructure to ensure the dynamic participation of the informal sector in global markets.

This article investigates whether increasing economic status through adopting digital payment capabilities in Delhi fosters economic and financial inclusion among urban women street vendors in Mahila Haat. Digital freedom is a new step forward in technology for everyone. Still, a woman not only balances the social responsibilities of childbearing, caring for her children and family, and struggling with economic issues, health issues, and undernourishment, but can also balance the household job of street vending to increase self-esteem and financial independence. This research work conducted a sampling survey and applied the Kruskal–Wallis H-test with a p-value (0.05) significance level by evaluating 11 variables to investigate the relationship between the digital capabilities and economic independence of street vendors in Mahila Haat (a women’s market where the vendors are all women) in the Red Fort area of New Delhi. UPI systems were created using measurements based on a five-point Likert scale to analyze different levels of satisfaction in clusters of digital capabilities on digital platforms. Further, the ordinary least squares (OLS) method was used to estimate quality of life and social happiness in the context of digital empowerment. Digital payment systems positively influence women’s empowerment. Women vendors can adopt digital payment methods, making them economically independent. The positive relationship between women vendors and customer satisfaction before UPI use and after UPI use is also analyzed. This research will be helpful for both government and non-government organizations to provide financial assistance, informational awareness, skill development training, and advocacy for gender equality to increase women’s empowerment.