PROBLEMS, CHALLENGES, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
Keywords:
Digital entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurial characteristics, Systematic literature review, Innovation challenges, Digital transformationAbstract
The digital transformation of global economies has redefined the nature of entrepreneurship, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and multifaceted challenges. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2024, retrieved from major academic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, EBSCOhost, and TCI. The review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the problems, challenges, and entrepreneurial characteristics relevant to the digital era. Standardized tools—including a research screening form, a quality appraisal checklist, and a data extraction sheet—were employed to ensure methodological rigor. Findings reveal a range of persistent barriers such as funding limitations, infrastructural gaps, and regulatory fragmentation, particularly in emerging economies. Entrepreneurs must also respond to dynamic adaptation challenges, including digital transformation, market volatility, and organizational constraints. In response, six core entrepreneurial traits were identified as critical to success in digital contexts: self-efficacy, initiative, creativity, resilience, strategic foresight, and social orientation. The study presents an integrated conceptual framework illustrating the interplay between external problems, internal adaptation challenges, and individual characteristics. These insights offer practical implications for researchers, educators, and policymakers aiming to foster resilient and digitally competent entrepreneurship.
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