Proposing an entrepreneurial model based on ICT components (study and review: selected OPEC member countries)
Subject Areas : ICT
Amir Hosseinpour
1
,
qholamreza rezaei
2
*
,
ali badiezadeh
3
1 -
2 - Department of Economics - Faculty of Management and Accounting - Islamic Azad University, Qazvin Branch - Qazvin - Iran
3 - Department of Entrepreneurship Management - Faculty of Management and Accounting - Islamic Azad University, Qazvin Branch - Qazvin - Iran
Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Information and Communication Technology, Ease of Doing Business, Innovation, OPEC+ Countries,
Abstract :
This research investigates how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its components affect entrepreneurship in countries reliant on natural resources and facing institutional and economic challenges in diversifying their economic structure. Initially, a conceptual model was designed using the meta-synthesis method. Subsequently, using panel data for the years 2008 to 2023 and the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach via path analysis, the effects of key ICT components on entrepreneurial activity, mediated by the facilitation of the business environment and innovation, were evaluated. The results demonstrated that ICT infrastructure and individual ICT usage have a direct and significant positive impact on entrepreneurship. Conversely, although government and business ICT usage do not have a direct effect, they exert a significant positive indirect effect on entrepreneurship through the channel of business environment facilitation. A significant finding, contrary to theoretical assumptions, was that innovation has no significant effect on entrepreneurial activity. This suggests a serious challenge in commercializing innovative achievements and a failure in knowledge transfer to the entrepreneurial ecosystem (Small and Medium Enterprises) in these nations. Furthermore, ICT skills showed no significant direct or indirect pathway to entrepreneurship. The findings emphasize that investment in ICT alone is insufficient. Policy-making in OPEC+ countries must focus on institutional reforms aimed at facilitating the business environment, as well as addressing deficiencies related to skills and innovation commercialization to achieve economic diversification goals.
[1] U. Shrivastava, L. Ofstein, D. Golhar. “ Direct and Indirect Effects of ICT Infrastructure, Skills, and Use on Entrepreneurship: A Cross-Country Empirical Investigation’’. Journal of Global Information Management, Volume 29 ,Issue 6 , November-December 2021
[2] پازری، م؛ حقیقی نصب، م؛ عدالتیان شهریاری، ج.«ارائه مدل ارزش آفرینی در اکوسیستم کارآفرینی فناوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات». دو فصلنامه علمی فناوری اطلاعات و ارتباطات ایران، سال سیزدهم، شاره های49و50. 1400
[3] K. Afawubo, Y. A Noglo,. ‘ ICT and entrepreneurship: A comparative analysis of developing, emerging and developed countries’. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 2021
[4] R. S Morano, Jacomossi, R. R., Barrichello, A., & Feldmann, P. R. ‘The Interdependence between ease of doing business, innovation, and competitiveness of nations. BAR-Brazilian Administration Review’, 20(2), e220103. 2023
[5] T. Li, ‘’Engagement in International Entrepreneurship: Interactive Effects of Resource-based Factors and Institutional Environments’’. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 9(1), 1–17. 2019
[6] A.V Stel, Carree, M., Thurik, R.,’’ The effect of entrepreneurial activity on national economic growth. Small Business Economics’’, 24, 311-321. 2005
[7] S. Djankov, La Porta, R., Lopez-de-Silanes, F., Shleifer, A.,’’The regulation of entry. The Quarterly Journal of Economics’’, 117(1), 1–37. 2002
[8] M. V .Alderete,’’ ICT Incidence on the Entrepreneurial Activity at Country Level’’. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 21(2), 183–201, 2014
[9] M. V .Alderete, ‘’Mobile Broadband: a Key Enabling Technology for Entrepreneurship?’’ Journal of Small Business Management, 55(2), 254-269.2017
[10] M.D .Giudice, Straub, D.,’’ IT and entrepreneurism: an on-again, off-again love affair or a marriage? MIS Quarterly’’, 35 (4), 3–7. 2011
[11] WEF. (2016). Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GITR2016/WEF_GITR_Full_Report.pdf
[12] V. Stel, Storey, & Thurik. ‘’ The Effect of Business Regulations on Nascent and Young Business Entrepreneurship’’. Small Business Economics, 28(2-3).2007
[13] A.R .Thurik, Carree, M.A., Stel A.V., Audretsch, D.B.’’ Does self-employment reduce unemployment?’’ Journal of Business Venturing, 23 (6), 673-686.2007
[14] J.-H .Keppler, ‘’Barriers to Entry: Abolishing the Barriers to Understanding’’. Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice, 27(2–3), 99–124. 2009
[15] T. Canare,’’The Effect of Ease of Doing Business on Firm Creation’’. Annals of Economics and Finance, 19(2), 555-584.2018
[16] دقتی، ع؛ یعقوبی، ن؛ کمالیان، ا؛ دهقانی، م. «ارائه الگوی توسعه مرحلهای حکمرانی شبکهای با استفاده از فراترکیب». فصلنامه مدیریت دولتی. دوره 11. شماره 2. 1398
[17] C. Wyborn C, Louder E, Harrison J, Montambault J, Montana J, Ryan M, Bednarek A, Nesshöver C, Pullin A. "Understanding the Impacts of Research Synthesis". Environmental Science & Policy. 86: 72–84.2018
[18] C.L. Shook, Ketchen, D. J., Hult, G. T. M., & Kacmar, K. M.’’An assessment of the use of structural equation modeling in strategic management research’’. Strategic Management Journal, 25(4), 397–404. 2004
[19] K.A. Bollen,’’ Structural Equations with Latent Variables’’. Wiley-Interscience.1989
[20] M. Sandelowski, & Barroso, J. ‘’Handbook for Synthesizing Qualitative Research’’. New York: Springer Publishing Company.2007
[21] J. Guo, Zhiming Cheng, Ben Zhe Wang, ‘’Internet development and entrepreneurship, China Economic Review’’, Available online 11 September 2024
[22] C. Chaves-Vargas Joana , Ribes-Giner Gabriela, Moya-Clemente Ismael , ‘’Effect of the economic, social and technological factors on sustainable entrepreneurship over time’’, Journal of Business Research 173 .2024
[23] A.Lado Ignacio Castro Abancens ,Ana M. Moreno Menéndez• José C. Casillas. “Traditional and digital entrepreneurial ecosystems: a framework of differences and similarities”. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research. 14:35, 2024
[24] E. Lungu Anca, Mircea Radu Georgescu, ‘’Digital Entrepreneurship: An empirical Approach on Students’ Perceptions and Attitudes, Procedia Computer Science 237 ,544–551, 2024
[25] Y. Uma Shankar , Shweta Vyas, Kanchan4, Indrajit Ghosal and Ajay Kumar Yadav. “Impact of entrepreneurial leadership, Social media, digital technology, Entrepreneurial orientation and innovation on business performance in the handicraft sector: Talent management as mediating construct”. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 13-72, 2024
[26] D. Cong Doanh, Ngoc Diep Do , Huy Nhuong Bui, Tuan Vu Chu, Thanh Van Pham. “ICT skills, entrepreneurial self-perceived creativity, and digital entrepreneurship: Insights from the stimulus-organism-response model”, Thinking Skills and Creativity 54 .101646,2024
[27] C. Kreiterling, “Digital innovation and entrepreneurship: a review of challenges in competitive markets”, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 12-49,2023
[28] J.G. Tuwei , Korir Michael, Komen Joyce. “The Moderating Effect of Transformational Leadership on the Relationship Between Entrepreneurial Orientation and Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County”. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (IJEBI). Volume 6, Issue 1, 68-86, 2023
[29] Y.J Wu , Chih-Hung Yuan, ID and Chia-I Pan. “Entrepreneurship Education: An Experimental Study with Information and Communication Technology”. Sustainability, 10, 691; 2018
[30] S. Gomes, J.M. Lopes. “ICT Access and Entrepreneurship in the Open Innovation Dynamic Context: Evidence from OECD Countries. Open Innov”. Technol. Mark. Complex, 8, 102. 2022
[31] T. Ben Hassen. “The entrepreneurship ecosystem in the ICT sector in Qatar: local advantages and constraints”. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. Volume 27, Issue 2, Pages 177-195, 6 March 2020
[32] D. Pandit, Sh. R. Tiwari. “Examining Entrepreneurial Intention in Higher Education: An Exploratory Study of College Students in India.” The Journal of Entrepreneurship 27(1), March 2018
[33] N. Fallah Haghighi, Hojatollah Hajihoseini, Ghasem Ramezanpour Nargesi, Masoud Bijani. Gap analysis of current and desired states of entrepreneurship development components in the field of ICTs in Iran. Technology in Society. Volume 54, Pages 101-110, August 2018
[34] O. Blessing Onyeka. Emeasoba Nneka Charity. “Influence of entrepreneurship skills acquisition on job creation among business education undergraduates in anambra state. Entrepreneurship studies”, nnamdi azikiwe university, awka. June 2023
[35] M. Yunis, Tarhini, A., & Kassar, A. “The Role of ICT and Innovation in Enhancing Organizational Performance: The Catalysing Effect of Corporate Entrepreneurship”. Journal of Business Research, 88, 344–356. 2018
[36] F. Zhang, Dahui Li. “Regional ICT access and entrepreneurship: Evidence from China”.Information & Management. Volume 55, Issue 2, Pages 188-198, March 2018
[37] Y. Muhammed. Kabiru Jinjiri Ringim. Kabiru Maitama Kura. “Moderating Role of Perceived Social Support on the Relationship Between Entrepreneurship Education and Entrepreneurial Intention.” Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business 8(1):104-119, July 2021
[38] X. Neumeyer. “Inclusive High-Growth Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Fostering Female Entrepreneurs' Participation in Incubator and Accelerator Programs”. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management PP(99):1-10, April 2020
[39] S. Asongu. Jacinta Chikaodi Nwachukwu. “Openness, ICT and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa”. Information Technology and People. February 2018
[40] A. Zenebe, Alsaaty, F., & Anyiwo, D. “Relationship between individual’s entrepreneurship intention, and adoption and knowledge of information technology and its applications: An empirical study”. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 30(3), 215–232.2017
[41] B. Spigel. “The Relational Organization of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems”. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice 41(1), June 2015
[42] B. Feld. “Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, 2nd Edition”. ISBN: 978-1-119-61779-2, June 2020
[43] F. Hashim, Zaini Amir, Norizan Abd Razak. Empowering rural women entrepreneurs with ICT skills: An impact study. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences. Volume 15, Pages 3369-3373,2011
[44] D. Isenberg, “How to start an entrepreneurial revolution”. John Wiley & Sons. 2014
[45] A. Petkova, Rindova, V., & Gupta, A. “No News Is Bad News: Sensegiving Activities, Media Attention, and Venture Capital Funding of New Technology Organizations”. Organization Science, 24(3), 865–888. 2013
[46] Y. Rosseel, “lavaan: An R Package for Structural Equation Modeling’’. Journal of Statistical Software, 48(1), 1–36. 2012
[47] H. Ansari Samani, Mirzapour, M., & Dalvandi, H. “The Effect of Political Risk on Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Selected Countries of the World”. Innovation Economic Ecosystem Studies, 3(4), 13-36. 10, 2023
[48] M. E. Porter, “The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy”. Harvard Business Review, 2008
[49] D. Noah Afees, David Oladipo, “Does ICT Adoption Moderate the Impact of Entrepreneurship on Economic Growth in Africa?”, Adm. Sci., 15(3), 88,2025