Digital Entrepreneurship as a Driver Of Economic Transformation: Opportunities, Challenges, Capabilities, and Ecosystem Development in the Platform Era

Authors

  • Loso Judijanto IPOSS Jakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijaeam.v4i4.207

Keywords:

Digital Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, Smes; Platform Ecosystem, Digital Literacy, Dynamic Capabilities, Business Model Innovation, Fintech, Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This article analyzes digital entrepreneurship as a multidimensional phenomenon that changes how business opportunities are identified, value is created, markets are reached, and competitive advantages are maintained. Based on a qualitative literature review method, the article synthesizes reputable journal literature since 2020 on the definition of digital entrepreneurship, platform ecosystems, dynamic capabilities, digital literacy, digital business models, digital financing, artificial intelligence, data security, as well as socio-economic implications for SMEs and startups. The review shows that digital entrepreneurship cannot be understood merely as moving sales activities online, but as a value creation process that relies on the orchestration of technology, data, networks, business model innovation, and adaptive capabilities. The main findings show that the biggest opportunities come from market expansion, lower business experimentation costs, the use of real-time data, the creator economy, fintech, and technologies based on AI, IoT, cloud, and blockchain. However, these opportunities come with challenges such as digital gaps, limited literacy and talent, cyber risks, dependence on dominant platforms, regulatory uncertainty, and pressure for continuous innovation. The article concludes that strengthening digital entrepreneurship requires an integrated strategy connecting digital entrepreneurship education, policy support, infrastructure, data governance, funding, incubation, and ecosystem collaboration. The research agenda moving forward needs to look into the impact of generative AI, digital sustainability, regional inclusion, and platform governance for small and medium enterprises

References

A. F. Rosin, D. Proksch, S. Stubner, and A. Pinkwart, “Digital new ventures: Assessing the benefits of digitalization in entrepreneurship,” JSBS J. Small Bus. Strateg., vol. 30, no. 2, 2020, [Online]. Available: https://libjournals.mtsu.edu/index.php/jsbs/article/view/1543

A. Ghezzi and A. Cavallo, “Agile business model innovation in digital entrepreneurship: Lean startup approaches,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 110, pp. 519–537, 2020.

A. Hanelt, R. Bohnsack, D. Marz, and C. Antunes Marante, “A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change,” J. Manag. Stud., vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 1159–1197, Jul. 2021, doi: 10.1111/joms.12639.

A. Hanelt, S. Firk, B. Hildebrandt, and L. M. Kolbe, “Digital M&A, digital innovation, and firm performance: an empirical investigation,” Eur. J. Inf. Syst., vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 3–26, Jan. 2021, doi: 10.1080/0960085X.2020.1747365.

A. Kuckertz, L. Brändle, A. Gaudig, S. Hinderer, and C. A. M. Reyes, “Startups in times of crisis–A rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” J. Bus. Ventur. Insights, vol. 13, p. 169, 2020.

A. Srinivasan and N. Venkatraman, “Entrepreneurship in digital platforms: A network‐centric view,” Strateg. Entrep. J., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 54–71, Mar. 2018, doi: 10.1002/sej.1272.

B. E. Duffy, A. Pinch, S. Sannon, and M. Sawey, “The Nested Precarities of Creative Labor on Social Media,” Soc. Media + Soc., vol. 7, no. 2, Apr. 2021, doi: 10.1177/20563051211021368.

B. S. Rêgo, S. Jayantilal, J. J. Ferreira, and E. G. Carayannis, “Digital Transformation and Strategic Management: a Systematic Review of the Literature,” J. Knowl. Econ., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 3195–3222, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s13132-021-00853-3.

B. Sanga and M. Aziakpono, “FinTech and SMEs financing: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis,” Digit. Bus., vol. 3, no. 2, p. 100067, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.digbus.2023.100067.

C. Fernandes, J. J. Ferreira, P. M. Veiga, S. Kraus, and M. Dabić, “Digital entrepreneurship platforms: Mapping the field and looking towards a holistic approach,” Technol. Soc., vol. 70, p. 101979, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.101979.

D. Cumming, M. Meoli, and S. Vismara, “Does equity crowdfunding democratize entrepreneurial finance?,” Small Bus. Econ., vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 533–552, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.1007/s11187-019-00188-z.

D. J. Teece, “Fundamental Issues in Strategy: Time to Reassess?,” Strateg. Manag. Rev., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 103–144, Mar. 2020, doi: 10.1561/111.00000005.

D. Trabucchi and T. Buganza, “Landlords with no lands: a systematic literature review on hybrid multi-sided platforms and platform thinking,” Eur. J. Innov. Manag., vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 64–96, Dec. 2022, doi: 10.1108/EJIM-11-2020-0467.

D. Vrontis, M. Christofi, V. Pereira, S. Tarba, A. Makrides, and E. Trichina, “Artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced technologies and human resource management: a systematic review,” Int. J. Hum. Resour. Manag., vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 1237–1266, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1080/09585192.2020.1871398.

E. Autio, R. Mudambi, and Y. Yoo, “Digitalization and globalization in a turbulent world: Centrifugal and centripetal forces,” Glob. Strateg. J., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 3–16, Feb. 2021, doi: 10.1002/gsj.1396.

E. Pantano, G. Pizzi, D. Scarpi, and C. Dennis, “Competing during a pandemic? Retailers’ ups and downs during the COVID-19 outbreak,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 116, pp. 209–213, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.036.

E. S. C. Berger, F. von Briel, P. Davidsson, and A. Kuckertz, “Digital or not – The future of entrepreneurship and innovation: Introduction to the special issue,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 125, pp. 436–442, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.12.020.

F. Casino, T. K. Dasaklis, and C. Patsakis, “A systematic literature review of blockchain-based applications: C urrent status, classification, and open issues,” Telemat. Informatics, vol. 36, pp. 55–81, 2019.

F. Sussan and Z. Acs, “The digital entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Small Bus. Econ., vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 55–73, 2020.

F. von Briel, P. Davidsson, and J. Recker, “Digital Technologies as External Enablers of New Venture Creation in the IT Hardware Sector,” Entrep. Theory Pract., vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 47–69, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1177/1042258717732779.

G. Elia, A. Margherita, and G. Passiante, “Digital entrepreneurship ecosystem: How digital technologies and collective intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial process,” Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, vol. 150, p. 119791, 2020.

G. George, R. K. Merrill, and S. J. D. Schillebeeckx, “Digital sustainability and entrepreneurship: How digital innovations are helping tackle climate change and sustainable development,” Entrep. Theory Pract., vol. 44, no. 5, pp. 1045–1060, 2020.

G. Secundo, P. Rippa, and R. Cerchione, “Digital Academic Entrepreneurship: A structured literature review and avenue for a research agenda,” Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, vol. 157, p. 120118, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120118.

H. Bouwman, S. Nikou, and M. de Reuver, “Digitalization, business models, and SMEs: How do business model innovation practices improve performance of digitalizing SMEs?,” Telecomm. Policy, vol. 43, no. 9, p. 101828, Oct. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.telpol.2019.101828.

H. Snyder, “Designing the literature review for a strong contribution,” J. Decis. Syst., vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 551–558, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.1080/12460125.2023.2197704.

H. Snyder, “Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 104, pp. 333–339, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039.

J. Maradiaga-López, O. Álvarez, and H. Osorto, “Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention Among University Students: The Mediating Roles of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Motivation,” Sustainability, vol. 18, no. 8, p. 3985, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.3390/su18083985.

J. Paul and A. R. Criado, “The art of writing literature review: What do we know and what do we need to know?,” Int. Bus. Rev., vol. 29, no. 4, p. 101717, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2020.101717.

J. Paul, W. M. Lim, A. O’Cass, A. W. Hao, and S. Bresciani, “Scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR),” Int. J. Consum. Stud., vol. 45, no. 4, Jul. 2021, doi: 10.1111/ijcs.12695.

K. D. Martin, A. Borah, and R. W. Palmatier, “Data privacy: Effects on customer and firm performance,” J. Mark., vol. 84, no. 1, pp. 42–59, 2020.

L. Li, F. Su, W. Zhang, and J. Mao, “Digital transformation by SME entrepreneurs: A capability perspective,” Inf. Syst. J., vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 1129–1157, Nov. 2018, doi: 10.1111/isj.12153.

L. W. Wardana et al., “The impact of entrepreneurship education and students’ entrepreneurial mindset: the mediating role of attitude and self-efficacy,” Heliyon, vol. 6, no. 9, p. e04922, Sep. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04922.

M. A. Cusumano, A. Gawer, and D. B. Yoffie, The business of platforms: Strategy in the age of digital competition, innovation, and power. Harper Business, 2019.

M. G. Jacobides, C. Cennamo, and A. Gawer, “Towards a theory of ecosystems,” Strateg. Manag. J., vol. 41, no. 13, pp. 2255–2276, 2020.

M. M. Queiroz, R. Telles, and S. H. Bonilla, “Blockchain and supply chain management integration: a systematic review of the literature,” Supply Chain Manag. An Int. J., vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 241–254, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.1108/SCM-03-2018-0143.

M. Rachinger, R. Rauter, C. Müller, W. Vorraber, and E. Schirgi, “Digitalization and its influence on business model innovation,” J. Manuf. Technol. Manag., vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1145–1160, 2020.

O. Turel et al., “Panel report: the dark side of the digitization of the individual,” Internet Res., vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 274–288, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1108/INTR-04-2019-541.

OECD, “The Digital Transformation of SMEs,” OECD Publishing, Feb. 2021. doi: 10.1787/bdb9256a-en.

P. C. Verhoef, T. Broekhuizen, and Y. Bart, “Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 122, pp. 889–901, 2021.

P. K. Ozili, “Financial inclusion research around the world: A review,” Forum Soc. Econ., vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 457–479, Oct. 2021, doi: 10.1080/07360932.2020.1715238.

P. M. Bican and A. Brem, “Digital business model innovation: Toward sustainable and profitable business models,” Int. J. Innov. Manag., vol. 24, no. 06, p. 2050042, 2020.

R. J. Torraco, “Writing Integrative Literature Reviews,” Hum. Resour. Dev. Rev., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 404–428, Dec. 2016, doi: 10.1177/1534484316671606.

R. Syed, C. Blome, and S. Papagiannidis, “Consumer Engagement in Digital Platforms: A Review and Future Research Directions,” J. Bus. Res., vol. 134, pp. 641–659, 2021.

S. A. Zahra, M. Wright, and S. G. Abdelgawad, “Contextualization and the Advancement of Entrepreneurship Research,” Int. Small Bus. J., vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 3–10, 2021.

S. Cunningham and D. Craig, Creator Culture: An Introduction to Global Social Media Entertainment. NYU Press, 2020.

S. Kraus, C. Palmer, N. Kailer, F. L. Kallinger, and J. Spitzer, “Digital entrepreneurship: A research agenda on new business models for the twenty-first century,” Int. J. Entrep. Behav. Res., vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 1043–1066, 2020.

S. Lokuge, D. Sedera, V. Grover, and X. Dongming, “Organizational readiness for digital innovation: Development and empirical calibration of a construct,” Inf. Manag., vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 445–461, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.im.2018.09.001.

S. M. Lee and S. Trimi, “Innovation for creating a smart future: Artificial intelligence and digital transformation,” J. Innov. Knowl., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2021.

S. Nambisan, M. Wright, and M. Feldman, “The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes,” Res. Policy, vol. 50, no. 1, p. 104123, 2021.

S. Quach, P. Thaichon, K. D. Martin, S. Weaven, and R. W. Palmatier, “Digital technologies: tensions in privacy and data,” J. Acad. Mark. Sci., vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 1299–1323, Nov. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11747-022-00845-y.

S. Raisch and S. Krakowski, “Artificial intelligence and management: The automation–augmentation paradox,” Acad. Manag. Rev., vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 192–210, 2021.

V. Della Corte, M. Aria, and G. Del Gaudio, “The Metaverse in Business and Management: A Systematic Review,” Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, vol. 180, p. 121703, 2022.

Y. K. Dwivedi, “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Emerging Challenges, Opportunities, and Agenda for Research, Practice, and Policy,” Int. J. Inf. Manage., vol. 57, p. 102262, 2021.

Y. Zhao, S. von Delft, A. Morgan-Thomas, and T. Buck, “The evolution of platform business models: Exploring competitive battles in the world of platforms,” Long Range Plann., vol. 53, no. 4, p. 101892, Aug. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.lrp.2019.101892.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-03

Issue

Section

Articles