Building the future through digital entrepreneurship and innovation

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this research is to analyze the dynamics of academic research on digital entrepreneurship and innovation, unveiling the main research trends developed in the last decade.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis has been carried out using a dual methodological approach comprising bibliometric methods and an innovative three-level systematic review, involving the analysis of the most used keywords, the co-occurrence network of keywords and a traditional review of the abstracts of the 1713 peer-reviewed articles that make up the database under study, with the aim of revealing and discussing the most important research trends developed in the period analyzed.

Findings

The results reveal seven major research trends that underscore the fundamental role of digital platforms in democratizing innovation, enabling a more inclusive and collaborative environment wherein startups, established firms, academia and government entities converge to drive technological advancements and societal progress. Additionally, the pressing need for a holistic understanding of digital technologies' potential to spur economic growth, societal progress and sustainable development is highlighted, as well as the challenges posed by privacy, security and the digital divide.

Originality/value

This research has been developed using an innovative methodology, and contributes to the academic discourse by providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and prospects of digital entrepreneurship and innovation for policymakers, entrepreneurs and researchers, urging a collaborative effort to harness the benefits of digital transformation in an equitable and responsible manner, fostering an environment of innovation that is conducive to the sustainable growth of the digital economy.

Citation

Sánchez-García, E., Martínez-Falcó, J., Marco-Lajara, B. and Gigauri, I. (2024), "Building the future through digital entrepreneurship and innovation", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-04-2024-0360