The Role of Digital Platforms in Alleviating the Fear of Entrepreneurial Failure: A New Conceptual Framework

Abstract

The literature on digital entrepreneurship has paid extensive attention to investigating the role of digital technologies in the process of entrepreneurship based on socio-technical perspectives. The role of digitalization on psychological aspects of entrepreneurship has been completely ignored despite these psychological aspects such as fear of failure, anxiety, and lack of confidence act as a deterrent for nascent entrepreneurs from starting and scaling up their ventures. This paper, hence, aims to conceptualize the role of digital platforms in mitigating the fear of failure in the idea-to-venture process. Two proposed paths are conceptualized through which engaging in digital platforms can help nascent entrepreneurs alleviate their fear of failure. This conceptualization will be appreciated by academic researchers in the entrepreneurship area, entrepreneurs, and digital platform providers.