THE EFFECTS OF DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ON KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN NIGERIA: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Across the modern world, there is a major shift in the economic system of production and wealth creation. Many economies have transitioned into the new economic system, the knowledge-based economic system powered by Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digital entrepreneurship (DE) and innovation. To leverage this new system of economic development in Nigeria through evidence‐based approach, it is important to begin by mapping out the empirical literature on digital entrepreneurship and knowledge economy in Nigeria. No known study has mapped empirical evidence and gaps concerning digital entrepreneurship and knowledge economy in Nigeria; hence, this scoping review was conducted. This scoping review adopted the research design by Arksey and O’Malley. Ten databases (ERIC, SCOPUS, APA Research database, Tandfonline, Google Scholar, Psych Info, ProQuest, SSRN, Semantic Scholar, and Web of Science) were searched to retrieve literature on digital entrepreneurship and knowledge economy in Nigeria. All retrieved literature were de-duplicated and screened based on the review's eligibility criteria. Only those peer‐reviewed journal papers meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Relevant data from the included papers were charted, collated and summarised. A total of thirteen papers were included in this review. The reviewed papers reported several factors, such as epileptic power and internet connectivity, poor education and infrastructural decay as some of the factors hindering Nigeria from transitioning into the knowledge-based economy. Moreover, the reviewed papers reported factors that facilitate digital entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria; the challenges and successes for digital entrepreneurship; and challenges of knowledge-based economic development in Nigeria. Future research should focus on mixed-method approaches, policy impacts, technological trends, and strategies for inclusive growth to further enhance understanding and support for digital entrepreneurship and knowledge economic development in Nigeria.