The interaction and influence of digital and non-digital structures, cultures and social norms on entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurs interact with other digital platform users to pursue opportunities and develop their businesses. However, although digital platforms are important for entrepreneurs, little empirical research exists on how entrepreneurs interact using digital platforms to meet their goals. Existing research is overwhelmingly conceptual, digital-centric, focused on high-growth entrepreneurship, and in countries in the global north. This paper addresses this gap with empirical evidence on how digital platforms are used for interacting by different types of entrepreneurs at different stages of development, in Trinidad and Tobago. It explains how online and offline structures, rules, social norms and culture interconnect to influence entrepreneurship using the theory and method of technology affordances and constraints, the entrepreneurial ecosystems concept, and a multi-qualitative method.