Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity

Reuschke, D., Mason, C. and Syrett, S. (2021) Digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity. Futures, 128, 102714. (doi: 10.1016/j.futures.2021.102714)

Abstract

This introduction to the Special Issue discusses the status quo of the literature on digital entrepreneurship and digital economy highlighting the neglect of a significant and growing segment of the small business sector whose futures have remained under-researched: self-employed workers and freelancers who run one-person or micro-businesses and home-based businesses that operate largely or exclusively online. Their digital futures and opportunities cannot be understood in simple dichotomies such as ‘necessity’ versus ‘opportunity’ or ‘use’ versus ‘non-use’ of digital technologies. Instead, it is suggested to consider the spatial and social contexts of these more ‘ordinary’ or ‘unexceptional’ businesses. Attention is drawn to networks and social capital and their spatial embeddedness in complementing human capital. Concepts of the second digital divide, digital generations, entrepreneurial bricolage and spatial proximity and city ecosystems are discussed to make suggestions about the possible digital futures of small businesses and entrepreneurial opportunity.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mason, Professor Colin and Syrett, Prof Stephen
• Authors: Reuschke, D., Mason, C., and Syrett, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Futures
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0016-3287
• ISSN (Online): 1873-6378
• Published Online: 22 February 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Futures 128: 102714
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
169429		Entrepreneurship in Homes and Neighbourhoods. Your reference: SGS0-XES062	Colin Mason	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/L001489/1	BS - Management