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Unravelling the Digital Thread: How Access, Protection, and Adoption Drive Technological Entrepreneurship

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  • Takawira Munyaradzi Ndofirepi

    (Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Midrand 1636, South Africa)

  • Renier Steyn

    (Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, Midrand 1636, South Africa)

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between digital access, protection, and adoption in supporting technological entrepreneurship within national digital ecosystems. The study utilised PROCESS regression analysis on the Global Entrepreneurship Development Institute (GEDI)’s Digital Development Economy (DPE) Index 2020 dataset to examine selected digital factors’ direct and indirect effects on entrepreneurial activity across 116 countries. While the relationship between digital access, adoption, protection, and technological entrepreneurship has been established in previous research, this study provides global evidence to reinforce this connection. However, digital protection did not significantly moderate the effect of digital access. Notably, digital adoption emerged as a significant mediator, influencing the impacts of both access and protection on entrepreneurial outcomes. This study emphasises the importance of understanding the complex relationships between digital factors in cultivating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to stimulate technological innovation and economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Takawira Munyaradzi Ndofirepi & Renier Steyn, 2024. "Unravelling the Digital Thread: How Access, Protection, and Adoption Drive Technological Entrepreneurship," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jadmsc:v:14:y:2024:i:8:p:185-:d:1459728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jean-Michel Sahut & Luca Iandoli & Frédéric Teulon, 2021. "The age of digital entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1159-1169, February.
    2. Elia, Gianluca & Margherita, Alessandro & Passiante, Giuseppina, 2020. "Digital entrepreneurship ecosystem: How digital technologies and collective intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial process," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
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