The state of #digitalentrepreneurship: a big data Leximancer analysis of social media activity

Violetta Wilk (), Helen Cripps (), Alexandru Capatina (), Adrian Micu () and Angela-Eliza Micu ()
Additional contact information
Violetta Wilk: Edith Cowan University
Helen Cripps: Edith Cowan University
Alexandru Capatina: Dunarea de Jos University of Galati
Adrian Micu: Dunarea de Jos University of Galati
Angela-Eliza Micu: Ovidius University of Constanta

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 2021, vol. 17, issue 4, No 16, 1899-1916

Abstract: Abstract This paper examined online sentiment, key themes and patterns evident in social media activity about digital entrepreneurship. It provides a snapshot-in-time, visual-first perspective on social media user-generated-content (UGC) to better understand the topic of digital entrepreneurship. Global data consisting of 31,017 publicly available UGC which used the #digitalentrepreneurship (hashtag) and the keywords ‘digital entrepreneurship’ were collected. A computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS), Leximancer, was used for an automated text-mining analysis. There is positive online sentiment surrounding digital entrepreneurship technology, ecosystem and industry, and one which promotes women transformation of digital entrepreneurship globally. Negative sentiment pointed out that future development and support of youth in digital entrepreneurship is needed. Digital entrepreneurs were identified as needing to focus on strategy, leadership, management, and social media platforms. A comprehensive perspective on the state of digital entrepreneurship in online UGC is provided. Insights into the challenges, issues, changes, success stories and key topics in digital entrepreneurship are highlighted. Future research is encouraged to adopt longitudinal and quantitative approaches, to provide further insights into the evolution of digital entrepreneurship. The paper contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by applying the Social Exchange Theory and the Social Media User Engagement Framework to better understand social media activity around digital entrepreneurship. The findings show that there are real challenges and issues to overcome but there are also changes occurring in digital entrepreneurship and social media users are keen to share and learn from digital entrepreneurship success stories.

Keywords: Digital entrepreneurship; Big data; User-generated content; Sentiment analysis; Leximancer; Social exchange theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11365-020-00729-z

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