CHALLENGES OF INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN A TECHNOLOGICAL ERA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v13i1.276

Keywords:

innovation, start-up, human capabilities, innovation resources, environmental enablers

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected entrepreneurs, compelling them to close, downsize, diversify, or adopt innovative approaches to stay afloat. This global challenge, coupled with technological disruptions, resulted in many losing their jobs and entering the competitive entrepreneurship space that requires them to be innovative to succeed. However, without the right resources, context, and environment, entrepreneurs may struggle to innovate. This paper aims to investigate the challenges to innovative entrepreneurship in a technological era. We used an integrative review to synthesize challenges to innovative entrepreneurship from 42 empirical studies in different countries worldwide. A thematic approach was used to analyse the content of the articles. Results reveal that factors related to the entrepreneur’s skills and traits impede innovative entrepreneurship. Also, challenges related to finance, human resources, operational capabilities, and marketing obstruct innovation in entrepreneurship. In addition, environmental factors related to the country, social and cultural norms, and the entrepreneurship ecosystem pose challenges to innovative entrepreneurship. Innovation has become the order of the day, and knowledge of the obstacles to innovative entrepreneurship is vital. Findings can help in designing all-around support to promote innovative entrepreneurship.

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Author Biographies

Gaelle Fitong Ketchiwou, School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Email: gaellefit@gmail.com

Gaelle Fitong Ketchiwou holds a Doctorate degree. Her research interests include human resource development, women, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which have resulted in several publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Patrick Ngulube, School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Email: Ngulup@unisa.ac.za

Patrick Ngulube (PhD) is a professor of information science and interdisciplinary research at the University of South Africa. His research interests are in records and archives, e-government, application of information and communication technologies, research methods, and knowledge management, including indigenous knowledge systems.

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Fitong Ketchiwou, G., & Ngulube, P. (2025). CHALLENGES OF INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN A TECHNOLOGICAL ERA: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge, 13(1), 23–42. https://doi.org/10.37335/ijek.v13i1.276

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025): International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge

Section

Articles

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International Journal of Entrepreneurial Knowledge (ISSN 2336-2960) is published by the Center for International Scientific Research of VŠO and VŠPP in cooperation with the following partners:

  • University College of Business in Prague, Czech Republic
  • University of Entrepreneurship and Law, Prague, Czech Republic
  • School of Business and Administration of the Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal, Portugal
  • Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, Slovakia
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