Deriving Solutions to the Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship: Determinants of Establishing Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Purpose: Entrepreneurship is one of a country's economic engines, particularly in developing countries. Sri Lanka was sliding down in Global Entrepreneurship Index. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the key determinants to the establishment of digital entrepreneurial ecosystem for deriving solutions to the contemporary issues in entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka.   Method: Quantitative research approach was employed. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, using 234 undergraduates who are following entrepreneurship degree programs in the selected universities. Acknowledging the literature, digital entrepreneurship, infrastructure, user citizenship and marketplace were selected as the determinants of establishing the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. Findings: Multiple regression analysis results indicated that digital entrepreneurship, digital infrastructure, digital user citizenship and digital marketplace have a significant influence on the establishment of the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. Digital entrepreneurship has the greatest effects on the establishment on digital entrepreneurship ecosystem, followed by digital infrastructures. The digital marketplace has the smallest effect on establishing the digital entrepreneurship ecosystem. Research Implication: Findings of the study would be useful in monitoring the involvement of digital technologies in entrepreneurship. Local, provincial, and national governments can play an important role in encouraging digital entrepreneurship and digitalization among potential entrepreneurs. Future Research Suggestion: The study focused only on the effect of digital infrastructure, users and marking aspects on the establishment of the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The developing countries like Sri Lanka, the lack of law, investment hunger, corruption, and gaps in the low of innovation environment and inefficiency of administration agents and business forms are impeding the progress of the enormous preference for innovation and digital technology. Further research should be conducted to investigate how these factors play a role in this model.