Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs

The spike in COVID-19 cases all over the world poses a massive impact on various sectors of society. The global economy is no exception, for it has been severely affected by the unprecedented public health crisis leading businesspeople to shutdown commercial establishments and dramatically shifting...

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Main Authors: Lavinia Javier Cueto, April Faith Deleon Frisnedi, Reynaldo Baculio Collera, Kenneth Ian Talosig Batac, Casper Boongaling Agaton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Administrative Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/12/1/8
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author Lavinia Javier Cueto
April Faith Deleon Frisnedi
Reynaldo Baculio Collera
Kenneth Ian Talosig Batac
Casper Boongaling Agaton
author_facet Lavinia Javier Cueto
April Faith Deleon Frisnedi
Reynaldo Baculio Collera
Kenneth Ian Talosig Batac
Casper Boongaling Agaton
author_sort Lavinia Javier Cueto
collection DOAJ
description The spike in COVID-19 cases all over the world poses a massive impact on various sectors of society. The global economy is no exception, for it has been severely affected by the unprecedented public health crisis leading businesspeople to shutdown commercial establishments and dramatically shifting businesses into digital platforms. Immense challenges brought by the pandemic have turned into great opportunities among entrepreneurs from different parts of the globe. In pursuit of the recovery path, they considered digital tools to be instrumental to surviving the crisis and even thriving in the long term. This study explores drivers and barriers to digital innovations in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during economic disruptions from the perspective of Filipino young entrepreneurs. Researchers employed a qualitative method for the conduct of in-depth interviews with 46 online entrepreneurs in the Philippines and transcribed them for Inductive Content Analysis to generate themes. Results found the adverse effects of the pandemic, which reinforce entrepreneurial innovations of shifting businesses to digital platforms, categorized into intrinsic (e.g., personal and professional growth) and extrinsic (e.g., mobility restrictions, market conditions, and household economic status) motivations. Participants described the barriers to digital entrepreneurship, including skills needed for doing online business, market-related problems in digital platforms, availability of quality internet infrastructures, and the pandemic restrictions. The findings of this study contribute to the entrepreneurship literature and areas for an empirical investigation to develop programs that support entrepreneurs during economic disruptions. This would serve as a guidepost in the formulation of government policies and strategies for economic recovery through digital entrepreneurship while considering the perspectives of young entrepreneurs. This further recommends future related researches to empower entrepreneurs, particularly those in the developing economies during the pandemic and beyond.
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spelling doaj.art-51cda775abaa459cb9961356e1b5c8522023-11-24T00:05:06ZengMDPI AGAdministrative Sciences2076-33872022-01-01121810.3390/admsci12010008Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young EntrepreneursLavinia Javier Cueto0April Faith Deleon Frisnedi1Reynaldo Baculio Collera2Kenneth Ian Talosig Batac3Casper Boongaling Agaton4Division of Calapan City, Department of Education, Parang National High School, Calapan City 5200, PhilippinesCollege of Business Administration, Pamantasang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa 1776, PhilippinesCenter for Human Development, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City 9000, PhilippinesDepartment of Science Education, Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education, De La Salle University, Manila 0922, PhilippinesDepartment of Community and Environmental Resource Planning, College of Human Ecology, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños 4031, PhilippinesThe spike in COVID-19 cases all over the world poses a massive impact on various sectors of society. The global economy is no exception, for it has been severely affected by the unprecedented public health crisis leading businesspeople to shutdown commercial establishments and dramatically shifting businesses into digital platforms. Immense challenges brought by the pandemic have turned into great opportunities among entrepreneurs from different parts of the globe. In pursuit of the recovery path, they considered digital tools to be instrumental to surviving the crisis and even thriving in the long term. This study explores drivers and barriers to digital innovations in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during economic disruptions from the perspective of Filipino young entrepreneurs. Researchers employed a qualitative method for the conduct of in-depth interviews with 46 online entrepreneurs in the Philippines and transcribed them for Inductive Content Analysis to generate themes. Results found the adverse effects of the pandemic, which reinforce entrepreneurial innovations of shifting businesses to digital platforms, categorized into intrinsic (e.g., personal and professional growth) and extrinsic (e.g., mobility restrictions, market conditions, and household economic status) motivations. Participants described the barriers to digital entrepreneurship, including skills needed for doing online business, market-related problems in digital platforms, availability of quality internet infrastructures, and the pandemic restrictions. The findings of this study contribute to the entrepreneurship literature and areas for an empirical investigation to develop programs that support entrepreneurs during economic disruptions. This would serve as a guidepost in the formulation of government policies and strategies for economic recovery through digital entrepreneurship while considering the perspectives of young entrepreneurs. This further recommends future related researches to empower entrepreneurs, particularly those in the developing economies during the pandemic and beyond.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/12/1/8digital entrepreneurshipeconomic disruptioninnovationpandemicMSMEsyoung entrepreneurs
spellingShingle Lavinia Javier Cueto
April Faith Deleon Frisnedi
Reynaldo Baculio Collera
Kenneth Ian Talosig Batac
Casper Boongaling Agaton
Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
Administrative Sciences
digital entrepreneurship
economic disruption
innovation
pandemic
MSMEs
young entrepreneurs
title Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
title_full Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
title_fullStr Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
title_full_unstemmed Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
title_short Digital Innovations in MSMEs during Economic Disruptions: Experiences and Challenges of Young Entrepreneurs
title_sort digital innovations in msmes during economic disruptions experiences and challenges of young entrepreneurs
topic digital entrepreneurship
economic disruption
innovation
pandemic
MSMEs
young entrepreneurs
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3387/12/1/8
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