The Emergence of Technopreneurship for Sustainable and Ethical Economic Growth: Theory, Research and Practice

Abstract

Entrepreneurship has gained considerable attention in the business field due to its substantial benefits to national economies. Schumpeter (1942) defined “entrepreneurship” as more than just starting a new business, as it involves introducing revolutionary changes in business methods and practices. Exploration, amalgamation and utilisation of new technologies have become one of the key challenges, but also of opportunities for entrepreneurship, and no industry is considered to be unaffected by its impacts. Further, the Covid-19 global pandemic has taken a huge toll on lives and economies globally, leading the business world into faster technological transformation primarily through business digitalisation. These challenging transformations call for problem solving through mindful innovation and fast responses, which tap into what has been construed as the essence of entrepreneurs. However, from the emergent lessons of the pandemic, it is becoming clear that a consideration of the ethical and sustainable aspects of entrepreneurial activities is essential, when pursuing financial success by tapping into the potential of ever-increasing technology developments. Hence, the need for technoentrepreneurial education taking the above into account is increasingly acknowledged among higher education authorities worldwide, and by governments who have a key responsibility for investment in entrepreneurship education programmes. Ultimately, it is argued that entrepreneurship empowered by technology has the ability to actively contribute to the redevelopment and redeployment of societies and economies.